What Kind of Universities should I Be Aiming For Computer Science?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Hey guys, thank you for taking the time the time to read my all my information below. I know top computer science schools are extremely difficult to get into, and I'm applying to computer science where the applicant pool is really competitive but I'm determined to get in.</p>

<p>Just some important background information:
1. I'm studying in the British Education System. So we don't have AP's, GPA or any of those options other than our A level and GCSE certifications.
2. Im currently at the beginning of the 11th grade(year 12 in British system) I finish school by July 2015
3. Im Indian and a Zoroastrian, one of the world's oldest and smallest communities in terms of members( I want to know if that will benefit me or make me stand out since universities like to have diversity .)
4. I live on a very small island country called Bahrain, in the Middle East.
5. My father's highest degree of education was a bachelors and my mother never completed college.</p>

<p>Academics
-I received 7a's and 4b's at GCSE level, with Maths being a grade A, ICT being an AA<em>A</em>
-I got 1410 on my first try at my practice SAT's without ever having done anything like them before and I'm still practicing and my score is now 1780
-I was placed in all the higher sets for my Math, Science and English classes
-I have been self teaching myself computer programming through code academy, learning programs like JavaScript.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars
-I started my own graphics class at school, teaching younger students graphic design, web design and many other things that are needed for them to excel at their GCSE exam
-Im part of my school's marathon team, running 3km, 5km and 10km at national level
-I have taken part in MUN many times and built the website for my own school's MUN
-Im an accomplished martial artist with more than 6 years of training
-I achieved grade 4 in classical guitar, with constant distinction grade(highest attainable result)
- I have an interest in poetry and even have a blog where that poetry is posted.
- I am a talented artist both in painting and sketch( I took Art at GCSE level and received an A)
-I have a passion for graphic designing which i do as a hobby
-I worked at a graphics firm for 1 week for work experience and was then asked to continue working for another month so that i could finish off a concept and design for an advert(That was used)
-I have successfully completed my Duke of Edinburgh Award at Bronze and Silver level, and am currently working towards achieving Gold(To achieve the award a student must do a certain amount of community service, a sport and a skill, as well as an expedition. The higher the level the more time needed for completion. For my Gold, i will be going on a two week trip to Nepal where i will build a school for an orphanage of children, and trek various mountains in the Himalayas with only my class members)
-I was part of my school choir and sing at both tenor and bass level
-For community service, i work at my school library, for the last 3 years.
-I am part of the Sports Leadership Program
-I was the Head member of my school Media Council, in charge of running my own club, finalizing designs for newsletters and yearbooks and so forth.
-I was a member of the Economics/Business Blog group, where we write articles about happening news, tragedy's and economic issues in the world.
-I am the only international member of an environment protection organisation, that was started up by a friend in India, and has expanded across many states there..
-I have been nominated to run as Headboy for my school (the American equivalent would be valedictorian I suppose)</p>

<p>I don't have any recommendations written as this is something that teachers and counselors only start writing in our last year.</p>

<p>Thank you so much for reading all that. Please let me know what you think my chances are when i apply in a years time to these kind of universities. Are my chances realistic? If not, please specify what universities i should think about applying to instead.</p>

<p>I will be the first in my family to ever apply to the States, so my family are all counting on me to be successful.</p>

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<p>I’d be most grateful for anyone’s ideas or help.</p>

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<p>I’m not sure if your race and religion will help you. Maybe since you’re applying from somewhere exotic it could be a hook. I’m unfamiliar with the british system so I cannot comment on your grades. But, if you want to go to a top school you must increase your SAT 250+ points. You can still go to a number of great schools at its current place or if you gained any number of points. </p>

<p>Rankings for top computer science programs:
<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-computer”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-computer&lt;/a&gt;
You can’t get into these top 10 with your current scores though. You must have practically a perfect SAT score for those. If you want to know the rest of the list its available if you make an account (and possibly pay, I’m not sure).</p>

<p>Here’s another list based on value in addition to prestige:
<a href=“Top 25 Computer Science Programs With The Best Return On Investment (ROI) | BestValueSchools”>http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/computer-science-degrees-best-roi/&lt;/a&gt;
Maybe with a small raise of your testing (make sure math score is exceptional if this is your intended major) you could be a good candidate for UMass Amherst, Purdue or Ohio State. </p>

<p>Here’s a global list of best computer science programs:
<a href=“QS World University Rankings for Computer Science and Information Systems 2013 | Top Universities”>http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2013/computer-science-and-information-systems&lt;/a&gt;
Maybe look into UCSB, UCDavis, UCSD, and UCI. UCLA is probably too competitive, but it wouldn’t hurt to apply there too. </p>

<p><a href=“Web Page Under Construction”>Web Page Under Construction;
According to this website, U of Minnesota twin cities has a noteworthy program. </p>

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<p>There are lots of good undergraduate computer science programs in the US. The US news rankings highlight the top graduate programs (those that get a lot of research dollars). As an undergrad you are unlikely to work on a research project with one of the top professors at the University of Illinois, Washington or Texas (very large schools with very large CS programs). My son is majoring in computer science and he decided the big state school experience was not for him. We are from Texas and he looked at schools like SMU and Trinity University. I wanted him to look into schools like Colby, Colgate and Carleton but he did not want to leave Texas. Remember to apply to a range of schools. Apply to some smaller schools that have good reputations (even if they are not known for computer science). I think you will be able to get admitted to a great school - Good Luck!</p>

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<p>UMass Amherst…</p>

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<p>If you’re an International student, the first question to answer is: how much can your parents pay?
If you’re an American citizen living abroad your situation is different.
Right now lots of schools are possible so in order to give you good advice the people here would need to know the answer to the questions above.
:)</p>

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<p>Thank you very much @CancuckHorn and yes i will be applying to a wide range of universities in more than three countries. @MYOS1634 I suppose my parents are willing to pay up $40,000, and in addition to that I might take a student loan if i need more finance :)</p>

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