<p>If you do not want to apply to UCSB, you probably should not bother applying to the UCs. They are obsessed with GPA. All the UCs care about GPA more than about SAT scores. However, UCSB (the least selective among the mid-tier UCs) is a bit more lenient to students with high (2200+) SAT scores. Only at UCSB, can a 2200+ SAT score make up for an unweighted GPA below 3.7.</p>
<p>Among the mid-tier UCs, UCI is probably the best for CS major. If you are very lucky, UCI might accept you. I managed to get accepted off the waitlist, despite my low GPA, but I will not attend because I am butthurt from the waitlist.</p>
<p>My SAT score is the same as yours (2300). My unweighted GPA is 3.66. My fully weighted is 4.29. My capped UC GPA is 4.00. I was rejected by UCB, UCLA, UCSD, and Cal Poly SLO. I was waitlisted by UCD and UCI.</p>
<p>Will female interested in CS help in admissions? Yes, but only if you can apply directly to the major or school (e.g. School of Engineering) or make it clear in your application you plan on majoring in it through supplemental questions/essays. It helps at Mudd and it might help at MIT. CMU’s 2014 SCS incoming class is 40% female so while they don’t really market this, my guess is it helps a little. It does not seem to help at Stanford.</p>
<p>I was told by an ex MIT Admissions officer that MIT will look for girls interested in CS during the RD round to even out the gender breakdown. (this is in the context of applying EA vs RD)</p>
<p>The overall GPA will be a problem. But A’s Junior year with a rigorous course load just might balance out the difficult Sophomore year. Frankly I think this will probably keep you out of the running at CMU, MIT and Mudd. But if you have the time and interest, I would still strongly encourage you to apply to these top schools. </p>
<p>Some comments on your choices:</p>
<p>Northeastern University- I don’t think this will be a great match for you fit wise. I’m sure you can find your clan here, but in general it is pretty party-oriented school. And it is very large. If you feel like you would be more comfortable at a smaller school, NEU is a bad choice. No one would call this school “nerdy”.</p>
<p>RPI- good reputation, do not know enough about it to gauge fit</p>
<p>RIT- this would probably work culture wise but it is on the large side (15k ungergrads)</p>
<p>Drexel/UCSD - I know nothing about</p>
<p>Carleton College - sounds like a perfect fit, just make sure you can handle long cold winters. The CS program at Carleton is very strong for a LAC and the alumni network helps with recruiting/job placement. As you’ve said it might be a reach.</p>
<p>Harvey Mudd- good fit, very difficult admit, very math oriented.</p>
<p>MIT- obviously a great CS program and probably a good fit although very intense and recently rated #1 “Work Hard, Play Hard” school. Somewhat surprisingly, they do have a strong Greek life and they do party pretty hard on occasion.</p>
<p>CMU- if you can get in here it would be hard to say no, pretty sure it is exempt from the “fit” question</p>
<p>Some other schools to look at (repeating others in this thread):</p>
<p>Tufts- decent fit, decent CS (very good job placement), but a tough admit. They have an open house in September for women in engineering so it is on their radar at least. This would be a high match based on your SATs and APs.</p>
<p>Grinnell- great fit, good CS for a LAC but midwest.</p>
<p>Vassar- good fit, decent CS for a LAC</p>
<p>University of Rochester- good fit, mid-size uni with great CS. It might be a little more mainstream than what you are looking for, but you could probably get in based on your SAT scores.</p>
<p>Earlham College- (hey, a safety!) very good fit culturally and CS is relatively strong for a small LAC. But virtually no industry connections due to size and it is in an awful town in the midwest.</p>
<p>UMD CP - overall probably not what you are looking for culturally but good CS and a likely admit.</p>
<p>SUNY Stony Brook - similar to UMD CP</p>
<p>Of all of these I would seriously look at Carleton, Mudd, UofR, Vassar, and Grinnell based on what you are looking for. MIT and CMU are reaches but worth a look. RIT/RPI/WPI might be decent second tier schools for you (WPI sounds like a great match to me actually, but you seem opposed to it). UMD CP/Stony Brook are probably not what you are looking for but decent fallbacks.</p>
<p>Marist is a great school to look at if you are interested in Computer Science. There is 100% job placement for Computer Science majors and Marist’s proximity and connections with IBM really put you ahead and prepare you for the field. There are also many ways to get involved around campus as a Computer Science major, such as working for ResNet-Marist’s own geeksquad or even interning at IBM. Definitely check it out!</p>
<p>If you are considering Carleton in the midwest, also look at Bradley University in Peoria. Comp sci has good industry contacts, students get great well-paying summer internships. And Peoria, wow! </p>