Chance me for Purdue Computer Science [3.94UW, 4.58W, 34 ACT]

Chance Me / Match Me
,
1

Wondering how my chances for Purdue Computer Science (or Computer Engineering as alternative option) are.

Demographics

  • US Citizen
  • State: Illinois (Out of state for Purdue)
  • Type of high school: Semi Large Public HS in outside Chicago suburb.
  • No other factors.

Cost Constraints / Budget
N/A (I’ve read about Purdue’s cost and talked with parents, and confirmed it is viable.)

Intended Major(s): Computer Science, Computer Engineering (2nd/Alt Choice)

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.94
  • Weighted HS GPA: 4.58 (school weights Honors/AP/Dual Enrollment as +1.0 plus +0.2 → A in honors/AP = 5.2)
  • Class Rank: N/A (My school does not publicize this)
  • ACT: 34
  • SAT: 1550

List your HS coursework

Note: DE refers to Dual Enrollment. My school counts AP, DE, and Honors all as Honors towards GPA.

  • English:
    • English 9H, English 10H
    • AP English Language (Jr, both semesters)- AP Score: 5
    • ACP Rhetoric H (Sr S1, DE)
    • ACP Literature H (Sr S2, DE)
  • Math:
    • Algebra, Geometry (Reg)
    • Algebra 2 with Trigonometry Honors
    • AP Calculus BC (Taking Senior Year, Both Semesters)
  • Science:
    • Biology (Fr)
    • Chemistry (Soph)
    • Physics Honors (Jr)
    • AP Physics 1 (Sr S1), AP Physics 2 (Sr S2)
  • History and social studies:
    • Human Geography (Fr)
    • AP U.S. Government (Soph S1)- AP Score: 5
    • ACP U.S. History H (Jr)
  • Language other than English:
    • Spanish 2H (Fr)
    • Spanish 3H ACP/DE (Soph)
    • Spanish 4H ACP/DE (Jr)
  • Other academic courses:
    • AP Computer Science A (Self studied, no class)- AP Score: 5
    • Computer Science Internship (3 Years)
    • Advanced Topics in Computer Science Honors (Sr)

College Coursework

All these are High School Dual Enrollment classes (Indiana University)

  • ACP U.S. History, ACP Rhetoric, ACP Literature, Spanish 3H ACP, Spanish 4H ACP

Awards/Achievements

  • Spanish Seal of Biliteracy

  • National Honor Society

  • Spanish Honor Society

  • CompTIA Linux+, A+, ITF+

Extracurriculars

  • Founder of a game-server hosting business (15,000 global users); led a team of 11

  • President of a school club

  • CompTIA certifications (listed above)

  • Community/volunteering: Food Pantry Volunteer (75 Hours)

AP Exams:

  • AP US Government: 5

  • AP Computer Science A (self-studied): 5

  • AP English Language: 5

  • AP Calculus BC: TBD

  • AP Physics 1: TBD

  • AP Physics 2: TBD

2

Purdue has released the stats for this year’s class and your stats are right there! I think with your course rigor and stats you are a match for Purdue CS. Interestingly the acceptance rate for engineering was actually more competitive this past cycle but again your stats are right there.

Computer Science 42.9% acceptance 1420-1530 SAT 33-35 ACT 3.78-4.00 GPA
College of Engineering 34.7% 1380-1520 32-35 3.89-4.00

Make sure you meet the EA deadline! |

1 Like
3

I like your chances, too. Also, thank you for formatting your post so clearly!

Did you want to discuss any other schools you are applying to, or get suggestions? As @momofboiler1 mentioned, EA deadlines are coming up and this is the perfect time to finish getting those applications in.

1 Like
4

I wondered the same thing.

5

Sure - the reason I made this post about Purdue is I believed I had fairly decent chances of getting in (but I wanted to be sure), and I did a tour of Purdue and loved it. The tuition is also really reasonable for a program ranked so highly.

I have also been interested in these schools:

Reach schools:

  • Georgia Tech
  • Illinois Urbana Champaign
  • Michigan Ann Arbor
  • University of Texas- Austin
  • University of Washington
  • UChicago

Semi-reach but more likely:

  • University of Wisconsin Madison
  • University of Maryland College Park
  • Northwestern

The only safeties I’ve looked at are University of Illinois In Chicago (UIC) and Indiana University, and I think I should look into more safeties so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Any suggestions for more reach, semi reach, or safeties would be greatly appreciated.

6

Also quick question about Purdue. How much do they take AP Scores into consideration? Also, I did a tour at Purdue and they said they do not ask for/consider GPA. How true is this? It seems strange as they still look at HS Grades which your GPA is directly determined by.

7

Purdue most certainly considers GPA! I don’t know who said that on your tour but that is false.
Per the common data set - GPA (HS transcript), Class Rigor, and Essay are the three most considered data points. https://www.purdue.edu/idata/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/CDS_2024-2025.pdf Section C7

Standardize test scores, APs included, are “Important”.

Northwestern should be moved into your reach category!

1 Like
8

I think both these schools are likely for you, if you apply EA. In fact, I think Wisconsin is close to a sure thing.

9

Any other decent safety schools I should look into? Also, I’ve heard Purdue’s courses are much harder than other schools around the same rankings. Is this true?
Also, aside from academics and test scores, what are the parts or things I’ve listed (like the awards or extracurriculars) that matter the most for my application

10

U.Mass Amherst is also very good for computer science. It is quite a bit more selective for computer science compared to other majors, but to me your stats still look quite good for U.Mass.