Looking for perspective on where I stand

College Search & Selection
1

<p>This is my first time on these boards, though I have been reading them for college information for quite some time. I'm a high school student, going into my senior year, and looking at colleges for computer science. </p>

<p>To give an idea of where I am academically, as of now:</p>

<p>*4.8 GPA (weighted, with AP and honors classes)
*ranked between 3-8 (the kids in my school occupying those spots all have the same GPA as I, so my guidance counselor said the difference between them is random)
*2200 SAT (730 Reading and Writing, 740 Math)
*32 composite ACT
*after this year, I will have either 6 or 7 AP classes total, including (so far) 5's in Computer Science and AP Calculus AB
*member of both the Spanish National Honor society, and NHS
*qualified semi-finalist for National Merit Scholarship
*Eagle Scout
*community service as well as regular work hours</p>

<p>I have a few questions about what to expect...</p>

<p>I'm planning to take the SAT Subject Tests, but I'm not sure which ones. I have been told to have a variety (an arts/humanity, a math, and a science) so I have been preparing for Spanish, Math (1 or 2), and Physics. Most colleges I see want at least two, and I was wondering if those are good choices. Also, what are the advantages to Math 2 over Math 1, assuming 2 is harder than 1?</p>

<p>My freshman year, my school added a new course to meet Pennsylvania standards, which resulted in me not getting chemistry, even until now. This year, I can trade taking my second year of physics (AP) for a chemistry honors course. However, I noticed most college sites simply require a "science with lab," not specifically chemistry, and physics meets those requirements. Should I stick with physics or should I get that first year of chemistry under my belt?</p>

<p>Finally, I'm still searching for colleges. Right now, my "reach" schools include CMU and Cornell, with Drexel as a back up. I can't find too many schools notable for computer science, that aren't out of my range (e.g. MIT, CalTech, Berkley, Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) Anyone have suggestions of better back ups, as CMU and Cornell don't look likely for me?</p>

<p>Sorry for the extremely long post, but thanks in advance for any help.</p>

2

<p>Seriously? You’re an URM, have a 2200 SAT, and a 4.0 (UW I’m assuming). You’re also an Eagle Scout which pretty much ensures you have at least one EC that they’d be interested in. Why would you even come to the conclusion the HYPSYM schools are a reach? Don’t worry about what anyone else says on here, just apply when the time comes and I’m sure at least one, if not two or three, will accept you.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the response, nice to hear a bit of good news…</p>

<p>Though, and I feel like an idiot for asking, what is a “URM” and what are “HYPSYM schools”?</p>

<p>Also, there was a response here from someone that mentioned Stevens Institute of Technology, but I didn’t get a chance to reply, and now it is gone, so thanks to whomever mentioned that. I looked into it, and it is definitely somewhere I want to visit and apply to.</p>

4

<p>^^Wait, how do you know he is an URM?</p>

<p>URM is Under Represented Minority, such as Hispanic, African American and Native American. It’s basically a hook which is useful into admission into top schools.</p>

<p>And yes, I think you can do better than CMU and Cornell. HYPSM are Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford and MIT - overall the top schools in the nation.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t say that HYPSM aren’t reaches - they certainly are. </p>

<p>To answer anotehr question, SAT Math II is much better to take than Math I. It’s not that much harder (I would say precalculus is enough knowledge) and the curve makes it fairly easy for an 800.</p>

5

<p>Cornell, MIT, and CMU would be a good set of reaches.</p>

<p>Consider University of Maryland College Park. They have good Computer Sci.</p>

6

<p>Where do you live? I would look at Stanford and Berkeley (never a sure thing for anyone but very good schools in the area you are considering).</p>

7

<p>Ok, that is what I thought when I saw URM, but I am white so no advantage there…</p>

<p>MIT and Stanford were on my list, but both seemed a bit too much of a reach, so when I was narrowing it down, I picked CMU and Cornell over MIT, Berkley, CalTech, etc. </p>

<p>Also, location isn’t much of a factor for me. I do live about 20 miles away from Pittsburgh and have been to CMU numerous times, making me love it even more.</p>

<p>Though, to Grisam, when you said I could do better than CMU or Cornell, I was under the impression that apart from MIT and maybe Stanford, CMU is one of the top computer science schools in the country.</p>

<p>Thanks again for the responses; anyone have a suggestion as far as taking AP Physics or taking Chemistry Honors?</p>

8

<p>The reason I asked about location is because state schools in California (Berkeley) do not give financial aid to out of state students. If money is a factor for you, Berkeley would not be a good fit because you would not get any aid.</p>

9

<p>Ah, sorry, I wasn’t aware of that, but thanks. That helps narrow down some more choices. Money is certainly a factor, but places like CMU have been cutting funding, so I know to expect over $200,000 of debt upon graduating; however, I don’t want my monetary limits to be the only thing keeping me from my top schools.</p>

10

<p>If CMU is in state for you and you get good aid, that might be the way to go. It’s a great school for computer science.</p>

11

<p>I believe I mixed two posts I was reading together. Terribly sorry for that. Without the race advantage you’re still looking at quite a decent chance at the listed schools. CMU I’m sure would accept you, as well as Cornell. Apply for tons of scholarships, even if they sound ridiculous or only amount to $500. Every little bit adds up in the end, cliche as that sounds.</p>

12

<p>Carnegie Mellon is a private school, so it doesn’t matter whether the OP is in state ¶ or not, right?
I think you’re in range for CMU, IUIC, and Cornell, but you’ll want to consider finances carefully. 200k is too much debt.</p>

13

<p>Since money is an issue, OP should check out <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html?highlight=automatic+merit[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html?highlight=automatic+merit&lt;/a&gt; in particular and the Financial Aid forum in general.</p>

<p>OP: If you haven’t done it already, you need to talk to your parents to find out (1) how much money they’re willing/able to pay for your college expenses each year and (2) have them run through a FA/EFC calculator like the one found at [EFC</a> Calculator: How Much Money for College Will You Be Expected to Contribute?](<a href=“http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/efc_welcome.jsp]EFC”>http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/efc_welcome.jsp)</p>

<p>Once you know what your EFC is and what your parents are able to pay, you’ll have a much better idea of need-based aid at a school that promises to meet full need will be enough or whether you need to look for a school with good merit awards for applicants with your kind of stats. And by the way, those stats are quite strong and should be enough to make you quite competitive for major merit at some schools that are just below the first tier (i.e. schools ranked in the 40-100 range in the USNWR rankings.)</p>

14

<p>Make sure to take the Math II subject test.</p>

15

<p>CMU computer science is very, very selective. It’s not a match, but you certainly have a good shot.</p>

<p>200k in debt is unacceptable. Money can get in the way of your dream school. Being willing to accept any financial cost for your dream school is a very, very dangerous mindset.</p>

<p>That being said, CMU is not so stingy on aid that if you need money, they will require you to borrow all of your tuition</p>

16

<p>

No. If CMU does not give you adequate aid, DO NOT EVEN CONSIDER THAT MUCH DEBT. I’m not even sure if you could take that much out.</p>

<p>You should definitely apply and see what you get.</p>

<p>The big scholarships at U Maryland are very competitive, but you might have a shot. Their CS is outstanding and I would give it a go. SUNY Stony Brook and UMass-Amherst also have good CS and low pricetags, but I don’t know whether you would get aid from them.</p>

<p>If you are a probable National Merit Finalist, check out <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation-16.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation-16.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>U Arizona, U Central Florida, and UT-Dallas are all worth considering for CS and NMF scholarships.</p>

17

<p>

</p>

<p>Sorry, didn’t realize you were studying Computer Science.</p>

<p>I believe UIUC has a great CS program as well. And, needless to say, do not go to any school where you will have over 200k in debt.</p>

18

<p>If you go to CMU for CS then you should take AP Physics. I think it will get you out of a course freshman year whereas the Chem course won’t. Check the distribution requirements for the CS degree at CMU.</p>

19

<p>Thanks for all the responses. It looks like I’ll be taking SAT Subject Tests in Spanish, Math 2, and Physics; taking AP Physics over Chemistry; as well as applying to as many of the aforementioned schools as I can.</p>

<p>As for the debt, I am the first generation in my family to go to college, so my grandparents have said they would be willing to put in as much money as they can afford, whereas my parents would rather see me go to Drexel with scholarships than a school like CMU with none. So even with $50K a year debt (assuming I get 0 aid, which many of you said wouldn’t be the case) I do have some financial backing…</p>

<p>Thanks for the links to information on NMS; I’m not a confirmed finalist by any means, but from what I understand, many school still offer aid to semi-finalists and such.</p>