Hi My D is currently in junior at HS
GPA- 3.6 UW, 4.2 W
not taking SAT yet. Will be in May
Total AP (include senior) 6
Northeastern
BU
WPI
UMass Amherst
UMass Lowell
I agree with all but UMass Lowell. Its CS program is not even close to the others.
@ProfSD UMass Lowell would be a good safety.
One of my best friends is a CS major at UMass Amherst and the program is really good here. It is extremely challenging from what I have heard but I’m assuming that’s a good thing.
The “Niche” ranking seems fairly accurate (if you don’t get hung up on the precise order … and skip the unrealistic ones):
MIT
Harvard
Tufts
Northeastern
Wellesley (women), Williams, Amherst College
WPI
Boston College
Mount Holyoke (women)
UMass-Amherst
Boston U.
Brandeis
Smith (women)
NEU, WPI, UMass, BU might be realistic (for admission if not for cost) especially with good scores, rigorous classes, etc. Many other possibilities exist among directional state universities in MA or neighboring states.
Mount Holyoke may be worth a hard look (if the online net price calculator shows an affordable estimate and if it offers enough of the classes you’d want).
The Niche ranking seems to place MIT and Northeastern roughly correctly, but appears to significantly under-regard WPI, UMass–Amherst and BU. The LACs are difficult to compare in this context.
I’ve heard there’s a technology institute in Massachusetts that’s pretty good…
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Re #7, note that the OP has requested recommendations for schools appropriate for a 3.6 GPA.
To me the big question is whether a 3.6 GPA is high enough to get into the computer science program at U.Mass Amherst. If so, then it is almost a no brainer for a Massachusetts resident.
I have worked with (literally) tons of software engineers who graduated from U.Mass Amherst. Many of them are really excellent.