<p>Trying to help my son broaden his search options for a solid computer science undergrad comp science program on the east coast.
He's an above average student with a rigorous schedule (as many AP classes as were available at his very average smallish upstate NY).
His numbers are roughly:
Sats: 1650-1700 (can't remember writing score)
3.7 unweighted gpa
Lot of sports / leadership extracurriculars</p>
<p>Likely to go SUNY--Stony Brook, UB, Binghampton, U Albany ( know very little about their program--safety school)</p>
<p>Looking for some OOS programs that would be a match. I see U Maryland is well respected along with U Mass, U Va, and UNC Chapel Hill. Are they too competitive for this type of student? Worth the extra tuition over Stony Brook or UB?</p>
<p>What is his Math + CR SAT? I’m guessing around a 1190</p>
<p>even with a 1760, he won’t get into UVA or UNC. both of those schools limit their OOS students. The few that they accept either have very high stats, or they have some hook (athlete, etc). </p>
<p>He’d need at least a 2100 for a chance at UNC or UVA</p>
<p>What is your budget? How much will you pay each year? OOS publics and privates can be very expensive.</p>
<p>It seems like you’re looking for top CS programs, but you have to consider his stats. There are good schools with good CS programs that would accept him, but you have to cast a wider net.</p>
<p>Budget’s not a huge issue for us. Just looking for a decent CS program that’s within his reach.
SAT math is 680 / CR 630. Don’t pay much attention to writing b/c I know most schools don’t care about it.
So maybe we need 2nd tier CS schools?</p>
<p>*
SAT math is 680 / CR 630. Don’t pay much attention to writing b/c I know most schools don’t care about it. </p>
<p>So maybe we need 2nd tier CS schools?*</p>
<p>??? he got a 450 on the Writing? That seems strangely low in light of his M+CR. Are you sure of his M+CR?</p>
<p>With a 1310 M+CR, then yes, he probably needs to look at 2nd tier CS schools for a couple of reasons…</p>
<p>1) Admittance (especially if the CS/Eng’g majors have tougher admissions standards). </p>
<p>2) To be more “on par” with his peers in the STEM classes. If he’s at a top school where his classmates all have 2100+ ACT 32+, then his GPA would likely suffer in the STEM classes. </p>
<p>What kind of schools does he like? Big, small, rural, city, quiet, rah rah spirited, cold/snowy weather, warmer climate? Does he want a school that is about half girls/half boys? Or does he like those techie schools where 80% are boys?</p>
<p>I’m not sure of his writing scores–just guessed at that, though I know they were pretty abysmal. Didn’t pay much attention to the writing b/c I know many schools don’t either. He’s a decent writer, not sure what happened on the writing but he retook SAT today nonetheless. Am completely sure about the CR and math scores, though. Realize his SATs are on the lower side, but his course load is quite rigorous (all AP or honors level) and the arc of his GPA is impressive–ended with a 95 for his junior year.
Been on the computer all day researching. Here’s the list we have so far:
Pretty safe:
U Mass Amherst
U Albany
U at Buffalo</p>
<p>Close Match:
Stony Brook
Pitt
SUNY Binghampton
Penn State</p>
<p>Reach:
U Maryland College Park
Northeastern</p>
<p>I think you can get a good sense of the types of schools he’s drawn to based on this list–large, diverse, not too far away from NY, decent social scene. Absolute no to the techie schools. He’s a pretty social, athletic guy.
Thanks for all the help!</p>
<p>I’m not sure of his writing scores–just guessed at that, though I know they were pretty abysmal</p>
<p>Well, even if you don’t remember his writing score, you provided his total score (1760), and you provided his M+CR (1310)…if those numbers are true, then all we need to do is “do the math” (1760-1310 = 450) …so 450 would have to be his Writing Score. It just seemed like a strangly low W score in light of his M+CR. </p>
<p>You’re right that many schools don’t care much for the Writing score. :)</p>
<p>If he’s happy with his list…AND…would be happy attending his safeties, then his list seems fine. :)</p>
<p>Northeastern seems to be the only private. Aren’t there any others that would interest him? Are any of the Catholc schools ok?</p>
<p>Rutgers also. Virginia Tech and NCSU may be worth a look, as they are less expensive for out-of-state public schools, and not as selective at their states’ flagships.</p>
<p>But if he gets into Stony Brook, that is likely to be the bargain of the bunch for a good CS major at in-state price.</p>
<p>Thanks all for the input. Stony Brook is definitely our most coveted, since we’re in NY.
Minnesota is most definitely too far for him.
I understand Rutgers has a decent program–but the campus is just so…ugly.
Privates are ok–I just don’t know much about any of them.
And about the much discussed writing score–I do know it was under 500, apparently b/c he ran out of time and didn’t finish it. Hopefully yesterday’s test will be an improvement, because clearly these scores are his biggest liability.</p>