Hello everyone , @mamaedefamilia , yes; I shall take two sat 2 if I can, the problem is that I have my preboards right after the SAT II dates, it will be a tough shot due to the amount of work I have but thank you for your input.
I will try my best to take the SAT II in two subjects.
@merc81 Thank you for the link and I understand what you say, I shall look into the courses available.
@orangemo8 I haven’t thought much about the state, I guess any state would be fine as i am coming from a different country.
I did some conversions
Turns out I have a converted gpa of 4.0
My 12th finals (predicted) is 94%
So, my scores at school are in the ballpark for selective colleges right?
Yes, your grades are stellar for the Indian system. And a 1500 SAT would be fine for any university.
However because so much is unpredictable at all universities that admit 25% or fewer students, you need to have several universities with different criteria. Use the 3-3-3-3-3 system described before.
Hard to make recommendations with “predicted” scores. Do you have any actual standardized test scores yet, or do you plan to apply to test optional schools?
Please do NOT contact all the schools to find out about the data science major! There is NO university that has people sitting around with nothing to do but answer random questions from possible applicants.
FIRST do your own online research: do they offer the major? if so, what courses are in the major- does the focus of the courses they offer match your focus? (“data science” does not have an broadly agreed curriculum yet). If there is not a major called ‘data science’ does the college offer courses that would be equivalent to a major? As @merc81 suggested, you can augment your course without calling it a major. It can take a little digging, but it is almost always there online- what courses are required for the major, what courses are available, what the overall objectives are, etc.
AFTER you have done your own online research, if you still have a question that would determine whether you apply to a specific university, then contact them with that specific question.
To follow-up on the topic of course selection, which relates to college selection, you really will need only a few elements in your undergraduate education as a basis for a career related to data science:
Your major should be relevant (i.e., it should rely on data or be otherwise technically focused). Economics would be one excellent example. Computer science would be another.
You will need statistics.
You should learn to code.
In your your case, you should check for the availability of courses specifically in econometrics.
You may not need any course labeled as a “data science” course.
As stated earlier, but maybe worth repeating, I think the search for a data science major could be counterproductively limiting for you, @screenname67.
I agree. Strong economics, CS, and mathematics/stat programs … in addition to a good overall “fit” (for size, location, etc.) … probably are more important than having an actual “data science” major.
If your family can afford as much as $70K/year, then you have many good possibilities. Small liberal arts colleges may be limiting for your combination of interests, although your admission chances at LACs may be a little better than they are at peer universities.
If that’s the case, then you should try the University of California campuses since they are one of the best public university systems in the country. And if you want to apply for UC, then apply for CSU as a backup in case you don’t get into UC. CSU is more geared towards local students, but it’s worth a shot. They have excellent programs as well.
You need to write essays (personal questions) for the UC’s so make them look nice and answer the question. Get straight to the point and you should have a good shot.
@jym626 : I do not have anything else to send as scores, only predicted scores as my examinations are in March 2019, I will send my 10th score - 9.4 cgpa , which translates to 4.0 GPA
. @collegemom3717 : I have already searched up colleges and listed courses that can help me and listed out the courses that can be integrated to form the course I desire.
And I have also segregated the colleges offering data science as a major, many colleges have it but I would have to do some background check regarding the course.
@merc81. @tk21769: I have listed out colleges that have courses in economics and computer science, which really seems like a good combination, though not put under “data science”. Along with such courses, econometrics and stats should help me.
I wouldn’t stick to a Data science major itself then, but if the option is available I will select it.
I am not quite keen on LACs though, will have to read up on it.
@orangemo8 : I shall apply to UC colleges as well as CSUs.
I have already worked on my common application essay and will look into UC essays right away.
So for early action: I will be applying for only 3 schools.
However, a few would be great for a combination of economics, mathematics and CS, as well as for a general academic rigor that would be suitable for your level. If you were to avoid them, you might inadvertently place yourself in a less rigorous overall environment.