Looking for a good Computer Science school within my range.

College Search & Selection
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<p>Looking for advice to what colleges i should apply to.
I have an ok GPA (3.6) / SAT(1790).
I know i want to take Computer Science. I want to do something with coding not art design 3D game design. (I suck at drawing).
I want to work in a nice environment (Google, Blizzard, EA Games, etc)
So what colleges would be good to get a degree out of for C.S. that are upper tier but not MIT status. Location wouldn't matter as i would dorm unless you know one in around Massachusetts I was thinking Northeastern since i am guessing MIT is a no with my GPA/SAT. My high school was vocational so i had Information Technology as a shop for 4 years (Got B+/A all 4 terms every year) if that would help me get in any school for C.S.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>As a programmer, I can say that your chances of getting into Google/EA Games are slim compared to your chances of winding up in a basic cube farm. That being said, it’s still a good career. Yes, MIT is out with your grades and SAT scores. Schools I would suggest would be your state university, also Rose Hulman and Case Western. There’s nothing wrong with going to your state school - CC is always yapping about the top-ranked private schools, but far more people go to their state schools. I would try to get your SAT scores up, though, if possible.</p>

<p>Also, College Board has a school finder that will allow you to say what you want to major in, what your SAT/GPA are, where you want to be, etc., and it will list schools that meet your criteria.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>the University of Washington and Santa Clara University should be realistic choices for your stats. they are excellent schools for computer science.</p>

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<p>Santa Clara will be a bit of a reachy match and will be expensive.</p>

<pre><code>Middle 50% of First-Year Students
</code></pre>

<p>SAT Critical Reading: 550 - 650<br>
SAT Math: …570 - 680<br>
SAT Writing: - -
ACT Composite: 25 - 30 </p>

<p>A 1790 SAT suggests about a 1190 M+CR. </p>

<p>How much will your parents pay each year? That answer will likely determine where you should apply.</p>

<p>Will you be testing again? How about taking the ACT? Some do better with that.</p>

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<p>What kind of schools do you like? How much can you afford? Is that GPA weighted or unweighted? We might need to know some more info because I feel like your SAT is a bit low for an upper tier school.</p>

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<p>UMass Amherst is supposed to have a good program. Also, Suny Buffalo, Suny Stony Brook and Drexel. Best of luck!</p>

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<p>great post, mom2collegekids, but you know what? I know a kid whose combined SAT scores are 1140 but was admitted at Santa Clara University for CS. His GPA when converted to US system was only something like 3.3. He’s an international student from a Jesuit-run high school though. He’s doing well at Santa Clara, the last time I checked. He may not be a norm at Santa Clara, just sharing that to give hope to the OP that he has a chance there. And, Santa Clara has a gorgeous campus and is pretty near to SV.</p>

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<p>That GPA is unweighted. I’m not sure how much my parents can pay.
Can anyone explain how financial aid would work in this situation. (Original mom/dad divorced…mom gets married but step dad & mom live in different house. My real dad also got married they live in the same house. I live in the house with just my mom.) So whos salary would it go off?</p>

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<p>I also signed up for the ACT instead of SAT i feel i would do better…</p>

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<p>Ice</p>

<p>Financial Aid – There are two major forms – FAFSA and CSS Profile</p>

<p>Your Mom and Dad’s info both have to go on CSS Profile form. There is an attached called the Non-Custodial Parent form. Many private schools require the Profile.</p>

<p>Go to the Financial Aid Section of the forum. Request your Mom completed an estimated EFC calculator. Start talks now with your Dad that his financial information is required. You do not want to waste your fall with applications to schools that are not affordable.</p>

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<p>Ok i will tell them about the financial aid.</p>

<p>These are the schools i am going to apply to Northeastern, Santa Clara,University of Washington.</p>

<p>I am thinking about Carnegie Mellon also is that possible?</p>

<p>Any other schools that would be good to get a C.S degree at?</p>

<p>Thanks for all the help.</p>

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<p>just by looking at your grades i think carnegie mellon might be a stretch for you and Northeastern is more of a match. idk bout the other schools.</p>

<p>Also you could take a look at Marist even though it might be below what you want. It is more known for C.S and does internships with nearby IBM. Just a suggestion to look at.</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>EA Games and Blizzard (now owned by Activision as Activision-Blizzard) are both known for their horrible work environments. As a recent example from Activision, they have withheld tens of millions in bonuses from the developers at Infinity Ward after their successful Modern Warfare 2 game under the stipulation that they crank out a Modern Warfare 3 on some insane time schedule. See: <a href=“April | 2010 | Ars Technica”>April | 2010 | Ars Technica;

<p>I really would not consider CS just because you’re interested in gaming.</p>

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<p>yah, the deadlines Activision imposes is absolutely insane. They really want to crack out new games as fast as possible. Be prepared to work 80+ hours on some weeks.</p>

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<p>Yes…talk to both parents about how much each will contribute.</p>

<p>It sounds like both families have incomes that might prevent you from getting much financial aid. If that is so, you need to rework your list otherwise you’ll just end up with unaffordable schools.</p>

<p>It also sounds like your mom has an extra house with her present H, or is she separated from her H?</p>

<p>Don’t apply to UWash unless you’re instate…they won’t help you financially with aid if that’s needed. They’ll expect you to pay all costs…about $38k per year. </p>

<p>Your list is not a complete list. You need some financial safety schools (schools that you KNOW you can afford to go to) and some better match schools. </p>

<p>You have a couple of problems…your dad and stepmom’s income may prevent you to get aid at schools that include their income/assets. Your stats aren’t high enough for merit or for preferential financial aid packaging.</p>

<p>Be sure to apply to a couple of instate publics that you can afford.</p>

<p>I know a kid whose combined SAT scores are 1140 but was admitted at Santa Clara University for CS. His GPA when converted to US system was only something like 3.3. He’s an international student from a Jesuit-run high school though.</p>

<p>SCU gives a preference to students from Catholic and Jesuit schools. Also sometimes allowances are given to int’l students whose CR scores may not be as high because of language issues.</p>

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<p>So does financial aid reward more or less on how much your parents make? I always thought the less your parents make the more it gives…? </p>

<p>How about this as a school list.</p>

<p>Instate:Northeastern,Wentworth Institute of Technology,Boston University and Umass Lowell as a backup.</p>

<p>Out of state: Santa Clara,Carnegie Mellon,Florida Institute of Technology,Harvey Mudd College, Marist, University of California Irvine,FSU,USF,UF and my backup out of state school (FGCU)</p>

<p>Also instead of using my 1790 sat score. Say i got a 27-29 on ACT how much would that change my factor on getting in.</p>

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<p>a 29 would definitely help thats like approx. a 1920. A 27 is just a bit better. So yeah bumping your test scores should be a priority.
And i hope your cutting down that list lol.</p>

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<p>Yea i suppose my list will get shorter whenever i find out how much my parents can spend…</p>

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<p>bump 4 my school list</p>

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<p>Yeah, the 27 is better than the 1700. Have you considered RIT? It’s within your ACT range (25 - 30 is their average).</p>