Programs

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!

Hey, check out this website and maybe you’ll get more info. http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-theory-rankings

Saw that. Those are graduate programs and ranked on ‘theory’. Was hoping for some real world familiarity with undergrad CS/CE programs. As is his nature, he has researched the heck out of ‘rankings’…Google is your friend!

Well there are just so many programs, too many to name. Often the cost constraints are a major factor so I always start there. Often instate public are the relative bargain. Build the list from the bottom up. It is always easy to pick the reaches.

It does sound like he would like the more learn-by-doing approach, that is exemplified by CMU. In our state we have cal poly slo which is held in high regard. There are tech. Schools more like that too. You could look for ones that make a point of having a freshman project.

He might take a look at the AITU colleges. Also unusual programs that are super strong like Olin, Harvey Mudd.

I hope his research showed him how bogus rankings are. I would be very wary of a combined MBA program that the MBA portion would be worth anything.

Yes strange link above to graduate rankings in theory. My own kid went to a college that had a mix of theory and experimental, and did go to grad school for theory but she was a math-CS major. Most of the grads just go to work.