Hi! I am an international freshman applicant from India. I have just applied to UIUC , Early Action, for Computer Science.
This is my target school because it is highly ranked and aligns well with my preferences.
My SAT score is 1410
Math:770
English:640
ACT Equivalent- 30
I am currently doing the IB Diploma and I haven’t got a grade below 6
Math Standard Level- 7/7
Computer Science Higher Level- 7/7
Business Management Standard Level- 7/7
Physics Higher Level- 6/7
English Standard Level- 6/7
Hindi Higher Level- 6/7
Total 39/42
My extracurricular activities-
I have interned with an Indian Institute of Technology Professor to conduct research on mathematics in computer graphics. The math involved is taught at the undergraduate level
I have developed an android application which is aimed at reducing child abductions.
I have designed a technological system for the government of India, which if implemented, will enable free primary and secondary education in India.
I have taken four coursera courses from UCSD, U of Maryland and Stanford. I have received a certificate of achievement from ORACLE for completing a course on Advanced JAVA.
Started a Computer Science club in school.
Some of the Honours I have received-
First in CS and Math in Grade 11
Certificate of Honor in both my Grade 11 semesters and also for my Grade 10 Final Examination
I have received merit scholarship from my school twice. (Grade 11 and 12)
I am really worried that my SAT score would prevent me from getting admitted. What would you think are my chances of getting in UIUC for Computer Science?
I have applied to the engineering school as there was no sole CS major in the liberal arts school.
Thank you for the reply. If you don’t mind, I would like to ask you on what basis have you taken this stance (Grades, SAT, or Extra curricular activities).
And, I don’t want to push it more or get overboard, but what chance would I stand for Cornell, Georgia Tech, UT Austin and Wisconsin Madison?
Computer Science in College of Liberal Arts is a combo with another subject. Called CS+x. The computer science classes are still with the COE. UIUC comp sci in College of Engineering is VERY, VERY competitive. Your ACT is low even for in-state students. (Even a 32 is low for in-state students). Your EC might help you as an international student.
Just a reminder public universities take in more in-state students because their families paid the taxes over the years. Private schools have more flexibility. The other schools you listed are all public except for Cornell.
Your grades and extracurriculars are phenomenal. But if you look at the uiuc computer science website you’ll see that the average last year was 33. I would say you have a really good shot, but you would have a better shot if you could bring up your SAT just a little bit. I also think they will be lenient towards that score though, since you are an international student.
bruhh i do ib as well and I am currently predicted 37. I applied uiuc ea for dgs and although my sat is very low (low 1300), our IB grades kinda put us into an advantage (hopefully hahaha). Not sure you have checked but there is an ib credit in uiuc for those international students and I think your pg 39 is almost equivalent to about 3.9 or even 4 when converted into gpa (you can easily convert your score through online) which definitely makes you a more competitive student; and high gpa tends to cover your sat or act scores (as long as they are not really really low) and tbh your standardized tests scores are decent for cs so dont worry! Hence, what I really think that determines your acceptance now is the quality of the essay. As long as you’ve emphasised your familiarity with computer science by telling them that you have taken the rigorous ib courses and how your subjects (sl math sl cs hl physics) have strengthened your ability (e.g. precise and accurate calculation) that makes you a more “fit” student than that of other students, you are putting yourself in a better position than others.
Yes I understand that the result day is approaching quick and that you are worried about it (who isnt?). But relax a bit for now because you have tried your best over the school years; and lets hope for our best and hopefully I get to see you at uiuc hahahaha. and ofc surviving ib is important as well (got tok essay to write rip)
@MerryLee
In LAS, there is Math&CS, and Stat&CS which are older and more traditional programs. They are CS with emphasis on theory (Math) and data science (Stat). Main difference between them and CS in CoE is, instead of Physics and Chemistry, you take more Math/Stat courses.
Then there are the CS+X programs, which are very new. They launched just few years ago. Stanford has CS+X too.
Most students that apply for Computer Science, don’t even know that CS in LAS even exists. They are ignored. That’s why I think they are like hidden gems.
I think your ECs are exceptional and could probably compensate for your somewhat “low” SAT score (a 1410 is a good score in the grand scheme of things though). If you don’t need financial aid then your chances will probably be better. I think you will get accepted to Georgia Tech and UW Madison, however UIUC and Cornell are low to mid reaches. I think you definitely have a good shot at all of these schools regardless.
Agree with most of the opinions here, esp @allnighter21. I don’t know what effect your being an international student will have on the outcome though. Sometimes it can help, sometimes it can hurt because some schools cap the number of international students. (Not sure of UIUC is one of them.)
Not sure how UIUC looks at international students whether it’s easier or harder as an international. I do know most colleges are a lot more grade and score oriented for international students specifically so it is in your best interest to bring up that SAT score to at least a 1450. I think another school you should consider is purdue because I have a friend who is an international who got in with subpar stats it was 4 years ago but it still applies. Also, Purdue has a very solid comp sci program I believe(my friend did EE)
@akk5199
It depends. The only difference is, in Math&CS you don’t take Physics and Chemistry sequence, which all CS students hate. Instead, you take three 400 level Math classes as your technical elective, all which are related to CS, then rest of them are CS electives. You also take 1 additional semester of foreign language, but that’s pretty much it.
I think UIUC shouldnt be too hard for you though UW may be a little difficult.I would also suggest you apply to Purdue as Purdue is a little lenient towards marks and have known many students with slightly weak credentials getting into it.