Chance/Match a Low GPA, high SAT Linguistics major [MA resident]

[aquapt]

If you’re going to do the UC application, I would throw in UCSD also. Out of CS, CogSci, and Linguistics, only CS is restricted, so you could apply to CS and then add minors or a double-major from there… or, if you get into the campus but not into CS (which does happen), you could choose one of the more computational tracks in CogSci and add Ling to that.

The problem with the UC schools, as already noted, is that they’re test-blind and expensive.

Pomona College would be a big reach, but not as big as Stanford. CogSci and Linguistics share a department. CS is solid too, plus you can take CS courses at Harvey Mudd as well, once you’ve finished the introductory three-course sequence. Also in the Claremont Consortium, Scripps would be a slightly less reachy option, and you could major in CogSci or Linguistics (through Pomona) and add Scripps’ CS minor; but access to a CS major would not be guaranteed.

U of Rochester would be a really good one to look at. It would be very, very straightforward, with their flexible curriculum, to blend CS, Linguistics, and Brain & Cognitive Sciences. URoch is similar, IMHO, in rigor and reputation, to BU and Northeastern, but it’s easier to get into because Rochester, while it has a lot to offer as a student city, is not in demand as a student destination the way Boston is.

Other than those suggestions, I think you have a good list, even if it’s a bit top-heavy. Every school on the list would be a great outcome, so if you’re confident about the ones you consider safeties, you’re in good shape no matter what else happens!

Oh, one more suggestion, if you’d be open to Canada: programs like these at UBC and McGill. Canadian U’s, like the UC schools, do not consider freshman grades, but unlike the UC’s, they do consider test scores.

[tsbna44]

Back to your ratings - and basing on the public HS - I’d guess, unless ED that BU and NEU are not targets. UMD may not be a target. UIUC (for CS) and UMich are also reaches.

UCSC probably is.

ED’ing to Brown due to legacy is a silly reason to do so. ED’ing to Brown because it’s your top choice - that’s a good reason to do so. But if the UCs might be a stretch, please make sure to complete the Brown NPC to get an estimated cost to ensure it’s in budget (because full pay will be close to $400K.

Also, note - ED unlikely gives you a Brown admission advantage.

“Please do not assume that your admission chances are improved by applying under the Early Decision plan. The Board of Admission makes the same decisions under Early Decision that it would under the Regular Decision plan.”

Good luck

[MYOS1634]

I would cross out the UCs (test blind, heavy on GPA which is a relative weakness, CS access difficult) and add UIUC CS+Ling for sure.

[DramaMama2021]

You are getting great feedback here from very experienced and knowledgeable users. Seriously consider their comments… as they apply to you and your specific situation. We’re a bunch of strangers doing our best to give you food for thought.

I noticed @dfbdfb mention of graduate programs (and most linguistics-focused students I know plan on a graduate degree) which makes me think you should consider your long-term educational goals and discuss those with your family.

Would a lower cost undergrad allow them to fund a masters program? Or are you targeting a funded PhD?

I know nothing about Linguistics so I defer to @dfbdfb; however, I do understand budgeting for 6-8+ years of education for my own student (premed). I also understand that some careers require post-grad degrees for any level of career success, and in that case prestige matters more at the terminal degree. There are noted exceptions for students targeting IB, consulting, etc., but if you aren’t interested in that track I would discuss budget over 4+ years with your parents.

You do seem to have an advantage of an instate option with instate prices that’s a top program for your interests. Score! I’d dive into the grad school placements for students there. Dive into the opportunities for undergrads, talk to professors, etc.

@dfbdfb let me know if I’m off base.

OP, Wishing you the best!

Note: please get your parents to run NPCs. It is entirely possible that meets need privates will be more affordable than instate publics.

[Crankymom]

My middle kid went to Pitt and majored in Linguistics and Applied Math. She is now a PhD student at a school highly regarded for CompLing. I would say that 3 of her 5 fully funded offers were from schools known for CompLing.

Unlike the OP, my kid went into undergrad with no idea of her major(s), so that should be considered (as in she had no linguistics background, no CS background, though she did have two languages through AP).

[worriedmomucb]

@DramaMama2021

I noticed @dfbdfb mention of graduate programs (and most linguistics-focused students I know plan on a graduate degree)

And consider career goals. What do you want to do with linguistics? Do you want to be a researcher? What kind of research? Would it need to be attached to a university or, in the case of language documentation/preservation, there are some non-profit organizations that also do this kind of work. Are you interested in an academic career (if so, look into the realities of the job market before committing to that). Or do you want to go into language teaching (as it looks like you’ve done a bit of this already)?

I know this sounds like jumping the gun, but as DramaMama2021 pointed out, as you think about undergrad (especially the potential costs), you need to consider whether or not grad school is in the picture and, in order to do that, you should think a bit about what it is you want to do with a linguistics degree.

(I say all of this as someone with a linguistics-adjacent PhD from one of the schools on your reach list who had a wonderful experience doing dialect documentation as part of her dissertation but who no longer works in a field that has anything at all to do with linguistics ).

[dfbdfb]

Based on conversations I’ve had with employers and recent job seekers, my feel is that a student graduating with a BS in comp sci and linguistics (whether a computational lx degree or a double major) could probably find a job in the field without going to grad school, but having a master’s would be way better.

[worriedmomucb]

@dfbdfb

but having a master’s would be way better.

Then that is something you may want to financially plan for which in turn may influence your undergrad strategy.

[kirroyalemum]

OP could do Ling + CS.

[Momofthree24]

Yes, the UIUC CS + Linguistics major would be a great option. I believe another poster mentioned it also. Acceptance rates are higher for the CS + majors.

[dfbdfb]

Yeah, for the OP’s stated interests, this is quite possibly the clearest path.

Unlike some majors/combinations of majors, they’d learn pretty early whether it’s what they really enjoy, too, which is a big plus.