Hi,
How hard is it to get into the UIUC Mathematics + Computer Science program? My stats: 1390 SAT with 740 in math. GPA: 3.86 Weighted. APs+Honors = 20 semesters.
If it is hard, what are some alternative majors that I can apply to get a higher chance at acceptance?
Thank yOu!
1390 and a 3.86W are a little bit of a tough sell. Admission to CS is <20% (an AO last month told DD it was 12% admit rate last year, but I haven’t seen that number printed yet). If you’re in-state you can probably get into a college other than Grainger, though (Geis may also be a little reachy). I wouldn’t 100% count on being able to transfer into Grainger from another college later either. There is a pathway to do it, but you’ll need a high college GPA.
Don’t know what CS SAT scores for UIUC are, however 1350 is the enrolled engineering SAT average.
UIUC has a 44% admit rate for engineering and about a 25% admit rate for CS.
I would think that if you are instate a 1390 would be enough.
I think you’re allowed to have two choices, and you write an essay for each one.
Go here to see the middle 50% ranges for the mathematics and computer science major (which is in the A&S college not the engineering college) https://myillini.illinois.edu/Programs/MajorDetail/10KV1438BSLA. The GPA given is unweighted. As you will see your SAT, and I assume based on what you provide, your actual unweighted GPA, likely puts you in the bottom 25% of those admitted and you should assume you are therefore a reach.
Moreover, with UIUC being in-state does not mean you will be favored over non-residents. You can provide both a first and second choice major on the application and, for first choice majors, both residents and non-residents are evaluated on the same basis for deciding admission,. It is second choice where preference is given to in-state. However, you cannot list any computer science major as a second choice.
As far as “easier” majors for admission, if your thought is to apply for something else and then try to transfer later to a CS program, be aware that the CS programs have even lower transfer admission rates than for freshman and you cannot assume any high chance to be able to transfer to a CS major. The mathematics major without the CS actually has a middle 50% range that you would be within although possibly the lower part of that range. A division which has fairly low middle 50% ranges and fairly high admission rates is the the Division of General Studies, which means you would be applying undecided as to major.
HI drusba, could you asses my Chance Me for UIUC? its basically similar gpa of 3.83 but with a 34 ACT.
Thanks