don’t see how UVA a match when Hamilton, Lehigh are reaches. oos is tough- acceptance rate is probably similar to wesleyan
@PurpleTitan Basically, I’m aiming around the 20-30% acceptance rate and researching their CS department.
@RoundGenius I don’t care for politics, but I don’t mind if there are protests.
@nw2this Hamilton and Macalester are great schools; not sure if I should drop them if they fall just short of a few Asians. I’m not eliminating UC’s because they are too affordable. I’m eliminating UC’s because their CS department is too competitive and I am afraid I would not be accepted into it. This also goes for UMich and some other colleges as well. It’s also a public school, which I am not a big fan of–I know Umich and UVA are too.
@Flurite You’re right, UVA is probably a reach as well.
@nw2this Actually, I’m going to drop Hamilton and maybe Macalester and maybe Vassar as well… Any thoughts?
This thread has a bunch of mixed information.
We have established that you are looking for a good CS undergraduate school, prefer some diversity. Seems like geography is not a priority, but you would like an urban environment.
Money? Do you need FA or Merit aid? Size of school? Size of classes? Ok with TA’s teaching, or do you prefer smaller classes with actual Phd’s teaching? What is your home state?
All this data will help us help you…
@ColdinMinny Yes, I need FA. As I’ve mentioned before I’ve already calculated the EFC and most of these colleges will give generous aid. Size of school would be around 3000+. Size of classes and TA’s teaching don’t matter. My home state is CA. Hamilton, Macalester, Brandeis, and Vassar may be a little too small for me. But, these colleges have great programs which makes me reconsider how important student population is. I don’t mind adapting to a small college for a great program.
My son, who had stats just a tiny bit better than yours, started with a list very like yours last year as a CA CS major. He ended up dropping most of the applications to LACs and added schools like WPI, RPI, and CMU once he got a better feeling for what he wanted to actually study and research in CS (and job fair activity). Out went Vassar, Wesleyan and Hamilton. Also, you are very right that the UC’s are extremely hard to get into in CS, and with large class sizes all 4 years and overburdened infrastructure aren’t really that desirable. His results: acceptances at almost all the privates, and good merit aid at every one of them. He’ll go to RPI.
What is your state?
Also, what is your unweighted GPA?
I am studying CS at Michigan actually (does not make me an admissions expert by any means)!
Your weakness is probably your ACT, and you said you would retake, so that is good.
Michigan is a great choice for CS and fits a lot of your criteria assuming finances permit or a good financial aid package if offered.
@belmom Did he apply anywhere else? Also, how does he like RPI?
@yikesyikesyikes My state is CA, and my unweighted is 3.6-3.7. How hard is it too enter into the CS department at Michigan?
Your list contains no obvious safeties. This means that your actual safety is to start at a community college and then transfer to a UC or CSU.
You may want to add UCR, UCM (and other UCs if you want) and some CSUs (not just CPSLO) to get safety options other than community college. Or other less selective schools that are affordable (possibly with automatic merit scholarships).
You won’t know (for those with direct frosh admission to CS) unless you apply.
You have two options when you apply. At Michigan, you do not declare CS major until you arrive on campus (although your they ask for your intended majors when you apply for admission).
You can do CSE with the College of Engineering (CoE) and obtain a BSE degree, or you can do CS in the College of Literature, Arts, and Sciences (LSA) and get a BS degree. CoE requires more math classes, and also chemistry and physics. LSA requires more distribution/college requirements (liberal artsy stuff) and requires taking a fourth semester level foreign language class (if not placed out by placement test). The Computer Science curriculum is virtually the same in both programs, and the CS-LSA students get access to the Engineering Career Resource Center. In CoE you declare your major after one semester with a minimal GPA and course completion requirements (2.0 GPA and some calc/physics/chem courses taken or transfer credit earned). Declaring CS in LSA requires completion/credit of math up to Calc II, EECS 183, EECS 280, and EECS 203 with at least a 2.5 GPA with these courses and at least a C in each course. Declaring in CoE is easier, but you need to deal with some more rigid engineering requirements (like the extra calculus, chemistry, physics, and other engineering courses). You should pick whichever sounds best for you. I am pursuing a BS through CS-LSA.
@ucbalumnus You are right, but I’m already applying to so many colleges and I don’t feel the urge to create a new application for a few UC’s that I will be more than likely denied. UC’s are extremely competitive on scores and I feel that I have a better chance at other colleges.
@yikesyikesyikes Thanks for the info. How much easier is it to get admitted into LSA than CSE? I know CSE has a low acceptance rate of 16%, which is very frightening.
LSA is probably easier, so long as you would be able to show fit.
What will be your safety? Community college?
@ucbalumnus Santa Clara and probably going to add a few more. I don’t feel I should start a new application with UC’s. I know UC’s are accepting more applicants this year, but I think the huge amount of students would hurt me. It would be great if you could advise me on some safety schools in the Common App.
Add UIIC & UT Austin & consider removing some low ranking schools for CS and LAC’s of your list.
UIUC and Texas are likely reaches for CS, and probably out of reach financially if you have significant need.
SCU’s net price calculator indicates poor financial aid. Can you really afford it for sure? If not, it cannot be a safety.
SCU is not an academic safety either.