It’s interesting that you say cost doesn’t matter - but then you are interested in cost - so cost should matter and in that case you can make adjustments to your list - hello U of Arizona, U of Tennessee, U of Alabama, etc. If costs matter, then why apply to the UCs etc. where you’ll get no aid. So you need to work with your parents and decide what is important to you, what are they willing to spend? Because they will have a # in mind and you should eliminate any schools that won’t make that cut.
That’s the first thing any potential applicant should do - look at budget - and that’s not just what your parents can afford but what do they want to afford?
My only other concern is your extra curriculars. Most say to find two or three things and show depth and you could do that - hopefully you have length of time in them and you can clearly show leadership (and make sure you quantify this).
As for your list, I would move Rutgers to a target. It’s a state school and they protect the state residents. I would add U of A as a safety - better merit than ASU and an Honors dorm that is nicer than my house (brand new) with dining hall at the bottom and a fitness and mental health center next door.
UCLA is 100% not a target - it’s a high reach. You are AWESOME but it’s a UC school and you are out of state. The same for UCSD. Maryland and Purdue are both reaches. UMASS is tough in comp sci but you’ll get in. UC I - ok, I’ll go match there. Rice - 100% a reach - it’s a reach for EVERYONE - but they want geographic diversity so that helps. Have you run their net price calculator? Again, do your parents want to send you if it’s full pay? Purdue - likely in - but not as easy as you think.
When you say I’m not sure if I should ED to UMD because everyone gets in, then of course you shouldn’t. You ED where you are 100% sold. But lucky for you, UMD doesn’t have ED. It has EA - and yes, if you don’t apply by the EA deadline, your chance of getting in goes down to near 0%. You only use ED for two things:
- You absolutely know you want to go there.
- You’ve run the NPC and you absolutely know you are willing to pay for it - as it’s binding.
So put your list on hold - because most/all these schools will cost you a ton and have your parents pick 3-5 schools and run the net price calculator.
If Columbia accepts you, are they willing to pay $80K a year (assuming the NPC says no aid). If the answer is no, take them off the list.
You’re a great prospect - but you need a slight overhaul of your list. Money discussion first and then see what fits.
Good luck.