I would appreciate advice concerning colleges to look into. (Read more?)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>It's only been a week past since I began my senior year of high school. Now I'm in the partially confusing, awkward, and slightly stressful stage of narrowing down a list of colleges that I'm interested in, and starting the applications process--there in lies my problem. I feel like I don't know where to turn on my college search, but I have a generally good idea about my field of interest in college.</p>

<p>I am very interested in computer science. More specifically, the idea of majoring in software engineering in college. This has been a strong interest for the majority of my childhood through the present, as I have always been interested in programming, etc. I can somewhat script in C++ and Java through self instruction, and the idea of creating software for companies just seems like a potentially fulfilling and challenging career.</p>

<p>I could be classified as the average student. I currently have a GPA of 3.5, and have taken mostly honors coursework, with a few APs; it's not a great GPA, admittedly, but neither horrible. I'm attending a private catholic high school in central Florida, though that does little to favorably impact my GPA.</p>

<p>I also have an average 1280 SAT (Math and Reading). I took the SAT June 5th, and got a score 630 Math and 610 Critical Reading. I did nothing to prepare for this test, and am more actively preparing for a retake during the fall test.</p>

<p>As far as extra curricular activities are concerned, I only have two: The primary of those two is Crew (Rowing); this has been my true passion through out high school, consuming most, if not, all of my extra time--considering it's year round. I have given myself almost completely to the sport. I finally gained the honor of being voted Team Captain for my last year in high school (which I am assuming will count as a form of leadership position in my applications process), and I am certainly open to the idea of rowing in college. The second extra curricular has been many hours accumulated as a volunteer at a local assisted living home, which as also been, in retrospect, rewarding.</p>

<p>As far as colleges I am considering: the defaults. By that, I am referring to the state colleges. UCF, FSU, and UF (unlikely to gain acceptance). I also have an interest in Georgia Tech, as I lived many years in Georgia, and the university was near my mother's work place; this, however, I am also aware of being unlikely. (Although Miami Dade College has an articulation agreement with GT, where you get your A.A. in pre-engineering at MDC and can automatically transfer into one of GT's engineering programs, following a specific course of study at MDC and maintaining a certain GPA requirement.)</p>

<p>Here is where I ask your help:</p>

<p>Can anyone recommend good computer science or engineering schools for me to look in to, for someone of my academic specifications?</p>

2

<p>UCF would be a very good choice. I believe their CS program is quite good and I know the programming team is very competitive.</p>

<p>UF and GT are obviously great schools, and you can afford to add a reach school or two. Just don’t expect to be admitted. Remember that GT is expensive OOS.</p>

3

<p>I agree with noimagination. Especially if you use crew to your advantage. It’s a little late for recruitment, but if you were to contact crew coaches at any of those schools, that could give you a leg up in admissions. Are you a girl or a boy? Women’s crew especially can be very helpful in college admissions.</p>

<p>I agree with your selections and I think that your list right now looks good. Have you thought about looking at other state schools outside of the south? These are random choices, but perhaps Virginia Tech, University of Illinois (UC) or Cal-Polytech Pomona would also be good schools for you.</p>

4

<p>There’s no particular reason I picked the south, I’m pretty much open to anything. I’m a guy, but I have relatively good erg scores. I believe I could use that to my advantage. And, thanks, I’ll definitely look into those schools.</p>

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<p>What can your family afford?</p>

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<p>VTech, NYU, Northeastern, miami, are all good choices.</p>