<p>I've been having some trouble coming up with a list of colleges with good computer science programs that I should apply to.</p>
<p>GPA: (unweighted) - 4.0 (weighted) - 4.4
SAT: 2360 (English - 760, Math - 800, Writing - 800)
SAT IIs - not taken any yet but plan to take Math II, US History, and Physics
AP Tests - so far only computer science (got a 5), but will take Physics C, Calc 1 and 2, English, US History, and Stat
Class Rank - tied for #2 out of 350 or so
Extracurriculars - track/cross country all years (not that good at it though), Computer Club freshman year (they cut it after that), some assorted computer science contests, National Honors Society, some Math and Science League contests, community service, some part time work experience</p>
<p>Can anyone suggest any good colleges to apply to for computer science? (preferably not TOO far from NY area). So far I've been considering Cornell and Carnegie-Mellon as more of reach schools (I hear Carnegie-Mellon's computer science program is ridiculously hard to get into), and perhaps Stevens or RIT as somewhat easier schools. Thanks for any advice :)</p>
<p>Consider Stony Brook and University of Massachusetts - Amherst for low match (maybe safety) level schools with good CS reputations and relatively low costs.</p>
<p>Other schools that may be relatively lower cost include University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Virginia Tech, North Carolina State University, and Cal Poly SLO. University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and University of Virginia may give decent financial aid to out of state students.</p>
<p>Among super-reach-for-everyone schools, there are MIT and Stanford.</p>
<p>What kind of net cost limitations are you looking at? Have you tried the net price calculators at various school web sites? If cost is no object, there are a number of other prominent schools for CS to consider (but most of them are out of state public schools with high out of state list prices and little out of state financial aid).</p>
<p>Also, how important/useful is applying to a school early decision? Would applying early decision at a place like Cornell or Carnegie-Mellon significantly increase my chances?</p>
<p>Unless you and your parents are able and willing to pay full list price for any school, you need to check on the financial aid issue. Find out from your parents what the net cost limit is, and check the net price calculators at school web sites. An acceptance with insufficient financial aid is the same as a rejection, so you do not want to apply anywhere that is financially out of reach (i.e. no chance of enough financial aid or merit scholarship).</p>
<p>That’s why I can’t attend CMU’s SCS However, there is always a chance that a school may give you unusual aid. Michigan typically doesn’t give too much to OOS students, but I’ll be able to attend at a tenth of the cost. So, there’s a give and take in applying to a school that doesn’t typically award much financial aid.</p>
However, there is always a chance that a school may give you unusual aid. Michigan typically doesn’t give too much to OOS students, but I’ll be able to attend at a tenth of the cost. So, there’s a give and take in applying to a school that doesn’t typically award much financial aid.</p>