Software engineering -- looking for college suggestions

College Search & Selection
1

<p>My son is currently a hs senior and interested in software engineering/development, and as he is now on the verge of applying to schools, we're looking to see if there are any schools we haven't considered that we should. His stats are:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.97 weighted; Honors courses and 2 APs (bio & physics...currently taking AP calc & AP chem, and a year-long independent study in computer science/software programming)</p>

<p>SAT: 2040 (CR: 640, M: 690, W: 710); retaking in Oct. to try and get math up</p>

<p>SAT subject tests: chem 620 (taken as a freshman); physics 780; math II 750</p>

<p>Extra curriculars:</p>

<ul>
<li>student council class VP - 4 years</li>
<li>ski club president - 2 years</li>
<li>crew team - 2 years</li>
<li><p>big brother/big sister program leader </p></li>
<li><p>working/paid internships in small local companies doing web development/application programming since age 15 (last 3 years)</p></li>
<li><p>owns his web development company for 5 years building websites for small businesses & pro bono work for non-profits</p></li>
<li><p>lots of community service stuff (e.g., special olympics, homeless shelters, habitat for humanity, etc.)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>He loves downhill skiing so he's adverse to college outside ski country (New England)</p>

<p>He will be applying Early Action to WPI (Worcester Polytec Institute), he's a little concerned about the "nerd factor" and lack of females, but thinks it's a good fit otherwise.</p>

<p>He'll also apply to RPI. I suggest Carnegie Mellon, but I don't think he'll get in (and it's not in ski country). </p>

<p>Any other schools we should consider? </p>

<p>I know that RIT has a software engineering program and the U of Rochester is a great school, but the Rochester location doesn't have any appeal. And he's not interested in a really urban school such as Northeastern.</p>

<p>Thanks much...any suggestions appreciated!</p>

2

<p>If he decides to give up on skiing, he might want to consider these. Case Western (Cleveland) is a small university with all majors but more of a science focus. Rose-Hulman (Terre Haute, IN) is an engineering/science school, but almost a liberal arts college for scientists.</p>

3

<p>WPI doesn’t have software engineering. </p>

<p>University of Scranton has software engineering, and is in the heart of the Poconos. I know nothing else about the school.</p>

<p>UMass has computer systems engineering (not software), and is close to Berkshires and Vermont skiing. </p>

<p>Most schools don’t have software engineering. It supposedly is a very limiting degree. Most prefer some sort of computer engineering degree instead, leaving more possible options besides just software.</p>

4

<p>*interested in software engineering/development, and as he is now on the verge of applying to schools, we’re looking to see if there are any schools we haven’t considered that we should. His stats are:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.97 weighted; Honors courses and 2 APs (bio & physics…currently taking AP calc & AP chem, and a year-long independent study in computer science/software programming)</p>

<p>SAT: 2040 (CR: 640, M: 690, W: 710); retaking in Oct. to try and get math up</p>

<p>SAT subject tests: chem 620 (taken as a freshman); physics 780; math II 750</p>

<p>He loves downhill skiing so he’s adverse to college outside ski country (New England)</p>

<p>He will be applying Early Action to WPI (Worcester Polytec Institute), he’s a little concerned about the “nerd factor” and lack of females, but thinks it’s a good fit otherwise.</p>

<p>*</p>

<p>Good that he’s retaking the SAT… :)</p>

<p>Is money an issue at all or will you pay for all costs?</p>

<p>If money is an issue, how much can you pay each year?</p>

<p>Are Catholic schools ok?</p>

<p>Skiing is in other places as well…but will he only go to school in the NE?</p>

5

<p>He’ll probably end up studying computer science at WPI (or somewhere else) but really enjoys programming more than hardware.</p>

<p>Not interested in Catholic schools, and somehow we will pay whatever we have to at whatever school is the best fit for him.</p>

<p>Although I told him he can consider schools anywhere in the country, he is more comfortable staying closer to home somewhere in the northeast.</p>

<p>Thanks for the suggestions…we’re still open to others…</p>