So im a senior in HS in texas and USC is my dream school because of its location/prestige of viterbi. Applied for astronautical engineering and computer science, deciding between the two. Only problem is my parents are hesitant about my chances of getting in, which in turn makes me hesitant, but at the same time part of me thinks I definitely will.
Here are my scores for reference:
SAT- 1470 (740 math, 730 eng)
4.20 weighted GPA (Top 8% of class) and NHS
Highly involved in filmmaking/photography after school art school (8-10 hrs week/ year round)
Described in essays how I will combine creativity developed from art school into engineering and my innovative pursuits
From all the research I have done it seems I have a pretty good chance of getting in, however my parents dont relieve believe it because of how good the school is, and I have previously visited CU Boulder and Arizona State, and I honestly believe I can do way better.
What do yall think?? Any advice on my chances or anything would be helpful, thank you
Well, have you shown your parents the stats for USC and how you match up? You’re certainly in the range. That said, with a 13% admit rate, unless you are clearly near the top it’s hard to have much certainty about being admitted.
Other than the 2 safeties, what other colleges have you applied to?
Also, you haven’t mentioned finances.
I have showed them and yea they are skeptical about the 13% admittance rate.
My EFC is about 10,000, so I am very hopeful that if I get in I can almost match in state tuition.
I also applied to UT, but barely missed the auto-admit cut and think I want to leave my state and start fresh, but its still an option.
Applied to UCLA, Berkeley, and NYU as well. Considering other schools, but sadly missed the deadline on a lot
You’re in range for USC averages, but Viterbi applicants generally have way above average stats, which makes USC a tough reach. UCLA CS you can pretty much forget about, and Berkeley will be out of reach unless you applied for CS via L&S, in which case you have a slim chance. NYU you might be ok. OOS cost will be $65K for UCLA and UCB with no chance for financial aid.
Edit: For the UCs, you probably should calculate you UC GPAs just to get a more accurate gauge. Capped weighted is the important one. UCLA averages for CS and UCB EECS will be close to 4.3 GPA, 1550 SAT, maybe higher.
The elephant in the room: wait and see if you get admitted. Then travel.
Right, zero fin aid at the UCs. Which does beg the question, how much did you research your targets?
–Per USC’s common data set demonstrated interest is not a factor in admissions decisions so really it is fine to first see if you get in and the school is affordable and then visit. See section C. http://oir.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/CDS_2016-2017.pdf
–As a bit of unsolicited advice - I would caution you against setting up any one college as your “dream school” – the people I see who get hurt by the college admission process are the ones who focus on one or two competitive schools and then don’t get in. Instead, work to create an application list that includes reach, match, and safety schools that appear affordable and that you would be excited to attend.
Yea I made the tough mistake of applying to UC schools before learning that they don’t give money oos.
I know my stats are basically in range with viterbi, you think the fact that I have a unique art ec for engineering students rather than a usual robotics type of elective will help, or hurt?
I’ve heard diversity in diciplinaries is a main factor for USC admission
does your school have naviance?. If it does you could show them the scattergram, or the section where it compares you to apps from your school.
Imo you need some more matches. Agree the UCs are a reach.
Did you apply to Tandon or CAS at NYU? Many people are disappointed with the aid NYU offers, it does not meet full need.
At this stage, having already applied, I’m not sure it makes sense to visit now anyway until you get offers?
thanks for the advice, although it is my dream school, that is not to say I know all colleges are what you make of them, and I will probably end up just as happy anywhere. LA is an somewhere I want to experience the most, not traveling much in my childhood and amazing for internships and meeting the right people.
On the other hand, my chances at UT might be higher being in state, but I sadly barely missed the auto admission by a few ranks but have a noticeably higher SAT score than much of the people who did, and I know Austin is basically the west coast of Texas and internships their are prevalent and the city is growing so dang fast
Boulder gives a large merit scholarship to top 1-3% of oos applicants, and if I get that its certainly a choice.
I want to study hard and do great out of college, but also have a rich student culture with a bomb party scene, and west coast-ish culture for the next 4 yrs of my life. Try something new.
Michigan and Wisconsin are the 2 schools that you can still apply to (2/1 deadline) that have outstanding CS programs. Not sure about acceptance rates or financial aid though.
CU-Boulder has a pretty good CS school.
All the pressure to apply made me stupidly apply then research, and now that I am doing so much of it I see how much of a reach UC anything is, not even a reach just 60 dang k.
Anyone have advice on schools I have legit chances in with reputable engineering and socially active cultures that deadlines havent passed yet?
Im aware of how late it is, any help would be amazing
@cadess see my note #10
I applied to Tandon, but im worried the social life is trash and its not as fun as NYU (which shouldnt matter but it does), but living in NYC nonetheless would be cool. I wish I applied to CAS, ideally I’d transfer.
yea we do, ill definitely check that out, thanks!!
thanks for the advice, michigan and wisconsin I know are both really good schools, but im skeptical about the culture, weather, location. You know any thing about those there? Im attracted to big cities, but does that really make a huge difference on campus and the people/student culture?
Why aren’t you considering costs for USC and NYU??
Do you even understand that an EFC of $10K means that this is the minimum you will pay?
USC is $72K per year. They are a private facility and have the same fees for in, and out-of-state tuition. There’s no difference.
You may get some FA from USC but because your stats aren’t in the top range, you won’t get merit.
NYU is similar in cost if not more, and they give really poor funding.
Do your parents have this kind of funding for 4 years?
If you have an EFC of $10k, you shouldn’t be traveling to USC without an acceptance in hand. Wisconsin would cost you $53k per year.
@cadess You need to think about the financial piece first. Have you applied to other TX schools? Your stats are probably good enough for a tuition scholarship at UT-Dallas and Honors Program admission. What about Texas A&M?
Is it too late to apply to Rice? They recently initiated new need-based funding that might get you within range of your budget, should you be accepted.
U of NM might be an option although the deadline for Presidential and Regents scholarships has probably passed. Your stats would qualify you for in-state tuition.
Take a look at Alabama-Huntsville for generous OOS merit aid for stats and strong tech curriculum.
To reiterate what @“aunt bea” said, a EFC of 10K does not mean that you pay 10K. Most colleges and universities offer packages that include loans, sometimes very substantial loans to “meet need” if they promise to meet need at all.
Rice’s deadline has passed. If you like USC you might like SMU. It has a Jan. 15 deadline and gives good merit to high stats students like you.