Next one! Need some ideas please.

Our next up son is a current junior in HS in PA. He is all about computers, with a huge interest in building computers, programming, networks, and even drones. He is a very good student, solid, with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, in the highest level of classes offered, including 4 AP classes this year. Not likely to be top 1%, but probably top 5-10%. He took the ACT last spring as a sophomore and got a 33 (he will retake in December, and I would predict 34-35, and also predict 750+ in Math2 and Physics SAT2s). He is very self-motivated, and would rather just learn how to do something himself by researching it online rather than taking a course. He has taught himself multiple programming languages, and keeps a small ‘portfolio’ of his online projects. He is the ‘go-to’ person in our house (and community) for issues with laptops, cell phones, networks, etc etc. He is a decent athlete (not a recruit) and has played many sports. Currently, he is doing cross country (#4-5 on team), and will do track in spring. He is a little quirky, and has a bunch of close friends, but can be a little oblivious and even socially awkward (even for a teenage boy). He is trying to get a non-paying shadowing position or ‘internship’ at a local company this year, and hopefully will have some real experience next summer.

He is leaning toward applying in Computer Science, or some type of combined computer science/engineering program. He is also looking at a couple combined 5 year engineering/MBA programs.

Based on that description…what are the programs that people might recommend? Either Reaches or Matches? He is going to look all over the country, and knows of the obvious choices (MIT/Stanford/Carnegie Mellon). Any great programs in CS out there under the radar, or combined programs with MBA? THANKS!

Lehigh has some interesting combined engineering + business and other hybrid programs. Don’t know about strength of computer science or computer engineering specifically. You would have to research that

I bet he’ll do best at a campus he really enjoys.

Depending on the part of PA, there are some really really good nearby options available, including PSU, Carnegie Melon, Lehigh, Case Western, and Cornell. I can’t imagine he’d regret going to any of those.

The next question is how much $ does he have to work with? If it’s a modest amount, then maybe try to go for one of the full tuition options ( http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/ ) and save up for graduate school.

Again, if finances are a concern, nail down a sure thing first, then add a couple schools that have competitive full tuition scholarships - some of which are offered by schools in this list:
http://www.theaitu.org/ (association of independent technological universities) There’s a lot of variety in that list, by the way.

A lot of the AAITU schools are division 3, meaning there’s no real scholarship available, but I feel the formulae for calculating need are fuzzy, and running XC might be a hook, I don’t really know.

Sounds like you have some of the “good” problems!