Hi all, I’m a HS Senior looking for match colleges. I’m applying to UCB, UCLA, Columbia, and Penn for reaches, and ASU for my safety (probably applying to Barrett).
Some context on me:
Major: CS
Rural California, non competitive HS (70% go to CC)
URM Hispanic Male
National Hispanic Scholar
4UW/4.45W
2/288
USH Subject Test: 770
SAT 1440 (720/720)
10 AP's (4 4's and 1 5, taking 5 right now)
ECs:
XC and Track 4 years
CTO/Co-founder of funded ag-tech startup
President of CS Club for 2 years
Taught CS Class for Migrant Ed HS Students (Python, HTML, CSS)
Worked at youth organization for 3 years where I taught CS class at summer camp and was assistant instructor for NASA-funded program
Built website for agriculture-centered non profit
Took CS class at local CC
Built jailbreak tweak that got 200,000+ downloads
Research at Naval Base working with covert communications
I don’t know about school location/size/etc. I’m open to anything!
You may also want to try Haverford – sporty school, part of a consortium that includes Swarthmore and UPenn and Bryn Mawr. It has a pretty running trail through woods. You can take classes at any of the four schools. Academics are top notch. And the atmosphere is calm and relaxed as they have an honor code. The Honor Code allows you to self-monitor rather than have school authorities monitor you. The implications of this are interesting and for those who are fans, makes for a friendly relaxed learning environment. For example, you can walk away from your stuff to get a snack, and your stuff will still be there. You don’t have to worry about things getting stolen. You self-schedule exams and are expected to monitor yourself. The students tend to do this and find it relaxing to be responsible for their own behavior and their own learning. Bryn Mawr has similar policies so the classes you take there would also be self-scheduled. I’m not sure about Swarthmore’s policies… – Below is the course search engine for BMC, Haverford, and Swarthmore. The schools try to coordinate the schedules and there are free buses that run regularly among the campuses. For UPenn there is a commuter train station that would be free for you (I’m pretty sure) and takes you 20 minutes into Phlly for classes. https://www.haverford.edu/academics/courses
Beyond your obvious requirement for a strong CS department, do you see yourself as interested in pursuing a wide array of subjects outside of your major in fields such as government, literature, history, sociology, classical studies, religious studies, astronomy and geosciences (or across another, comparably diverse array, appropriate for your interests)? The answer to this could inform your selection process as much as other important considerations.
Yes, let us know if your parents are able/willing to pay the $40k. If so, that opens up door to many need blind colleges. Otherwise, your best bet is looking for match colleges where you’re likely to qualify for merit aid.
Congrats on your hard work and success in high school!
I would think that the obvious answer to your question is the other campuses of the University of California. A few of the strongest CSUs might also be worth considering.
@Gumbymom should be able to steer you to appropriate UCs and CSUs.
“Yes they are, but I’d also like to know more about the merit based options” -
HERE YA GO! there are lots of colleges that will PAY you to go to college. http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
@JoeBlow0, my CA son with similar stats (higher SAT but far less impressive ECs), got a full tuition scholarship at University of Pittsburgh and an invitation to apply for a scholarship to cover room and board. This was all merit based, not need based. Pittsburgh is a really cool city, in my opinion, and the school seemed very welcoming. He ended up staying in California, but the offer was very appealing.
Agree re Pitt, but they are a rolling admissions school and use up merit as they go, so if you’re interested, apply ASAP. They started giving out merit money earlier this month, and it sounds like merit awards are down some from last year. (Since you said you were interested in hearing about merit options.)
Where else to look: maybe University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Rensslaer Polytech, University of Washington, UVA, University of Maryland, George Mason University (just outside of DC, known for being strong in CS)? I’m not sure about aid for OOS at the state schools, though - many state schools don’t offer much to OOS students.
Rice could be a good addition for you, but it’s another reach, not a match.
Since you went to a noncompetitive high school, are you interested in a college with a more cooperative than competitive feel? Rice has that reputation.
Tulane, Claremont schools (all different so see what appeals), Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount are some possibilities. I would think you would be in line for scholarships at the last 2.
Okay, so maybe University of Alabama, Tulane, UCF. These may be more likely/safety schools than matches for you in terms of admission, but am just thinking of schools that seem to be generous with merit money.
Yes, as someone suggested above, you may want to check out Rice as well.
Rice is a reach for almost everyone, but being a National Hispanic Scholar may help your admission chances and possibly get some merit money for you at Rice. Rice has a good CS major.
Because your stats and ECs are great and you’re URM, it’s hard to come up with just matches, so I’m going to suggest low reaches
LACs:
Grinnell – generous with merit and need aid
Davidson – not much merit $ but it not only meets full need but also no loan policy and a generous definition of need
Mid-size:
Agree with Tulane and Rice
Wash U
John Hopkins
USC
Large:
University of Georgia and University of SC give generous merit aid. I’d choose Georgia between the two b/c I like the town, Athens, better than Columbia.
Yes, look at the auto admit / full tuition college link that someone provided.