How come more National Merit Finalists do NOT Seek U TX Dallas for Computer Science?
Does anyone have a link to where the Finalists choose?
Any feedback on these for Full Rides in Comp Science?
Campus lifestyle, Career Prospects, Dorms, Co-ops
Since you’re a NMF, did you apply to Alabama for their big NMF. Not a quite a full ride, but with the add’l 2500 per year for CS, you’d get 5 years of tuition, $6k per year stipend, and other goodies. And, you can use those 2 extra semesters to pay for summer abroad programs. The school would give you about $13k for each semester to study abroad during the summer!
Have not applied to AL, because there are no easy non-stop Flights. I see they give 5 years of Tuition, and then 1 year of basic Dorms, plus $3500 per year, if GPA of 3.3 is maintained, plus other goodies.
Per AL: Are students guaranteed housing after their freshman year?
No. Due to the high demand for housing, not all students who want to live on campus will be able to, and students are not guaranteed housing after their freshman year.
If my D makes NMF, UTD is where she will go. The school itself fits her non rah, rah personality. But the DFW area is filled with great summer internship opportunities and career prospects.
Housing is usually pretty easy to find around campus. Usually lots of places catering to the college crowd. No worries.
I think NMF can still apply to UA to get the NMF scholarship.
I also believe there might be a flight to Atlanta GA and a shuttle to UA from there? Can someone confirm?
We just use USNews Rankings to get a general idea of Academics.
Rank is not published in Comp Science for AL, but the Math is ranked 115 for Grads
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/the-university-of-alabama-100751
@2sunny, you have several threads where you have knocked off schools because there is no direct air flight. I think in one year you’ll realize that this is a minor thing. Sure, if it came down to two identical schools and one has a direct flight and the other doesn’t, take the one that has the direct access. Rarely are two schools identical (especially to the student). Do you think people are turning down Brown or Dartmouth because they are a little harder to get to than a school in Boston or NYC? My daughter is in a city with direct flights to about 3 cities, but everyone else flies to Orlando, or changes planes in Atlanta or Charlotte.
It is not like YOU will be inconvenienced by having to change planes. Your child will, and he’s young and can take the inconvenience 2-3 times a year. Ask him if he thinks it is worth it to go to Alabama for free with a plane change or if he’d rather go to UCF or Ky.
U of KY is 67 in Computer Science, FL is 78, and AL is 102
I love to look at numbers! But yes, I know, depends on WHERE student feels comfy!
http://www.happyschools.com/nrc-computer-science-rankings/
Isn’t UK doing away with the Patterson/National Merit Finalist scholarship?
Okay, you’ve looked at the numbers. Do you think everyone else has? Or cares? There is NO difference between a rank of 67 and 78 - it may be more books in the library or tiny difference in the prof to student ratio, the number of applicants accepted or the number of labs offered. Quick, where were these same schools ranked 5 years ago? It doesn’t matter.
My daughter’s school is ranked much lower in general and and astronautical engineering. Still produces astronauts and kids getting into grad school at Columbia and MIT and GaTech.
@twoinanddone AL is not free; but AL is generous. AL does not cover meals, & pays dorms the 1st year.
Also, you do know that some people feel more comfy in a car, than on a plane? have you ever been stranded in airport due to ice, weather, or mechanical problems? KY is about 5 hours DRIVE, and KY gives motor coach transport to all students on all breaks near certain cities. Therefore, our drive would only be ONE HOUR, since KY offers the luxury of transporting the student near their home (in select Midwest cities). Our main request is GREAT COMPUTER SCIENCE classes/co-ops… still waiting to hear from TOP college in late March.
@suzy100 we just got a fantastic Letter from KY that promises our S the NM package. For future students, they will have to see if KY changes things, as I read they may recruit more need based-
@twoinanddone Where does your daughter go? As I stated, I love to look @ numbers. Many people look at numbers, before they go to ABC School, to give a GENERAL FEEL… then they visit the campus to see IF it feels right, or not…
@2sunny you have several thread saying the same thing. The differences you are pointing out in those rankings are meaningless. What matters is how the school supports its UG students, the opportunities for research, etc. Those rankings don’t answer those questions. You have to engage with the schools to get those answers.
For example, my ds is a jr at Alabama, majoring in physics which is ranked 95th. Obviously not a physics grad powerhouse. He has been participating in research since freshman yr. Last summer he was accepted in 3 of the 6 REUs he applied to and accepted the offer from a top 10 physics program. Last week he heard back from 3 of his 4 or 5 REU applications for this summer (all acceptances). All 3 programs are top 10 in their field (nuclear or high high energy).
Last yr his fellow REU students were from other top schools around the country, and there he was from Bama. I am sure the same will be true at whichever of these top programs he decides to accept for this summer. Why was he accepted? Bc Bama offers fabulous opportunities to its students. He is a go-getter who professors love to mentor. It isn’t the school ranking that matters. It is what the student does with their education and opportunities available.
@Mom2aphysicsgeek I have clearly stated many times that students " visit the campus to see IF it feels right, or not… " I said I love to look at numbers for general ballpark, and then I expand on that thought by saying to VISIT each one for what the student wants. No one in their right mind would say “Oh, gee, I will take school ABC without actually visiting it.” I have also stated MANY times to look at the Co-ops at each one… The numbers simply give an idea to someone who may NOT be familiar with a geographic area…
@2sunny Not sure of the purpose of your repeated threads. There are nicely compiled lists of NMSF and NMF scholarship schools/awards that are easy to navigate and people can investigate school by school. If ranking matters to them, that info is readily available via a quick google.
UA also gives 5 years of full tuition to NMF, he could get a graduate degree as well with minimal cost.
And the other posters are not talking about feelings, but opportunities that are available that match your academic interests. Some schools cater to their undergrad students, some just to their grad students.