Need Safeties - Computer Science

College Search & Selection
1

I have a list of colleges in mind that I am going to apply to and I’ve already applied to a few through Questbridge, specifically MIT, UPenn, Columbia, and Vanderbilt.

State: Goergia (generally well performing public school)
Ethnicity: African
Family income: <30k

ACT: 30 composite
SAT: 1960, have some subject tests but very weak scores
GA: 3.5
Rank: top 20% class of 750-790 don’t remember

Coursework: 9 APs once this year ends, US History, World History, Computer Science, Physics 1, Biology(current), Calculus AB(curr.), Literature(curr.), Macroeconomics/Government(curr.) along with gifted classes throughout

Extracurriculars:
-4 years VEX robotics - president
-3 years beta club
-FBLA - 2nd year, officer, national winner
-Natl. Science Honor Society - officer
-Tri M music honor society - choral officer
-Chorus-6 years, all of HS, all state and district chorus all years
-internship with Georgia Tech summer '15
-National English Honor Society
-Posse Semifinalist
-STEAM program at school, STEM + art

Volunteer/ Community service:
-over 300 volunteer hours as church musician
-summer '14 - library volunteer

Essays: have a few, potentially very good. Definitely nothing too bad, as some worked for QB

Recommendations: Good thus far based on QB again

What i’m looking for:
-Computer Science good department - robotics research group of some sort would be nice, maaaaybe good economics too
-I want to go to a good school, but I know my numbers are very much on the low end.
-Currently my list consists of Georgia Tech, University of Georgia (almost safety), UC San Diego + Berkeley, Duke, UIUC,Georgia State (only definite safety), and QB schools… (no particular order) clearly a lot of reach type schools
-Bigger than 3k student population, but my ears are open + city/near city + diverse student population(not just race, but as people) + preferably not cold a lot, not tooooo big a deal though

-The UPenn Jerome Fisher program is possibly the type of experience I want to create for myself if I can handle more than my CS classes in college.

If I don’t get matched for Questbridge, Georgia Tech (if i get in) would, naturally, be the best option regarding price/quality/roi/location/friends. Beyond that…too many to say. So what schools should I take a look at that could be safeties for me? Thanks so much!

2

i’d look at UCSC calculate youre UC Capped GPA, if you have over a 3.85 UC GPA you should get in with your EC’s plus it has a great CS department close to silicon valley

3

Automatic full rides for your stats may be found at Florida A&M and Prairie View A&M and perhaps others.

4

What was your PSAT? Are you a NASF???

5

You would be full pay at the UCs and UIUC. I have no idea why you have them on your list.

Look here: http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/

6

@mom2collegekids I don’t remember, but I think somewhere from 190 to 198. Not sure what NASF is

@“Erin’s Dad” I was not aware of that lol welp, obviously I increase my research. Thanks for that link

7

Your net price at UCs will probably be about $33,000-$35,000 – there is no financial aid coverage for the $25,000 additional out-of-state tuition. You can check their net price calculators. There are a few scholarships that would cover that, but those would be super-super-reach.