@mathmom thanks for the recommendation! I didn’t know that about UMD, and I’m glad I know now
@ yeetys
Here is a math problem for you.
Part I: the"dream" school:
The “top” 20 to 30 universities you spoke of earlier do have more endowment and are more able to meet the full demonstrated need of all the students they admit, but the probability of admission to these opportunities is low for any applicant. The answer is problematic.
Part II the “discounted dream” school:
Many alumni were first generation college and a number of them left endowment money specifically to help other first generation students with demonstrated financial need. At WPI, some part of over $52,000,000 was passed out last year to matriculating undergraduates and was specifically designated to assist first generation students. It is true that this is not enough money to cover all the demonstrated need of all accepted students. Just like admission itself, there are no guarantees. It is still a good chunk of money that requires first generation students with demonstrated FA needs to apply. It you do not by a ticket, you cannot win the opportunity. The answer is problematic.
We do not know the actual odds in either part I or part II although many CC participants enjoy guessing the odds with “chance me.” The toughest part of this problem is a moving target as the admissions pictures keep changing, i.e., look for the latest data.
Part III: - the “safety”
At least one solid backup, where we believe the odds are 100% for admission and affordable tuition.
Whatever you do, do not waste your time applying to a university that will not meet your needs. You are wasting your time unless you spend time locating universities which match your interests. You want to feel comfortable and proud of whichever university comes through for you. It makes you a better student. It increases your odds of winning the big game. It is more than major, size and location.
Just in case you have not heard of it, check out this FA opportunity site @ https://www.fastweb.com/ I believe it can be used at most universities.
@yeetys, you should be looking at all appropriate schools that meet full need, not need-blind schools (many of them give poor financial aid). It doesn’t matter if a school is need-aware or need-blind. If you like a school, it’s a good match, and the NPC suggests it’s affordable, apply!
By way of illustration, “Hands on” students need to do this:
- First year students in fall of 2018: 1124 (total population)
- Demonstrated Financial need: 704 (62% of line 1)
- FULL financial need met: 430 (61% of line 2)
- AVG percent of need met: 82%
Eighteen percent of the matriculating class did not not have their full need met, but elected to come anyway. We do not know how they did it, but we do know THEY made the choice.
It would be better if all demonstrated financial need was met. If the University/College does not have the resources to meet the full need, are they supposed to reject the stronger student and accept the wealthier candidate?
I would vote that the “higher road” would be to admit the clearly stronger candidate. The admissions office can be “up front” with the student. You give that choice back to the student/parents. This is an ethics question with no easy answer.
This data came directly from the University’s CDS. For decades, this particular University has consistently had one of the very lowest loan default rates in New England.
The choice of a solid backup is very important!
Very highly endowed universities should understand that the “higher road” may involve leaving the choice to the applicant and their family. I have seen families mortgage the farm, but it was their choice. We do not really know how that 18% with unmet need did it, but they also have very solid return rates for the second year and a very favorable graduation rate among their “peer” group.
Wanted to share these thoughts with applicants and parents.
Are you male or female? This will matter both in terms of identifying realistic targets (as admit rates vary significantly by gender for some programs) and also in terms of deciding how important gender-parity within a program is to you. Representation and retention of women in a program can be particularly important if you’re female… though also not a bad attribute to value if you’re a guy! (There are also women’s colleges with strong CS programs of their own or consortium access to strong CS programs through partner schools; that can be a path worth considering too, if you’re of the XX persuasion.)
@aquapt I’m a male.
@yeetys You mentioned that you are first gen. Are you URM (underrepresented minority)? That would be a definite hook for the top 20’s. Others have already given you good instate options.
@momprof9904 Not an URM. In fact, I may very well be the opposite lol (Asian Male). I’m first gen because my parents come from a very rural area in Asia where a majority of people don’t go to college
other information (which may be helpful):
class rank: 6
sat: 1580