Thanks for the encouraging words. I am getting over the initial disappointment - also an admit from UMass (in-state) helped. I am waiting on a few more EA decisions: Maryland, Purdue, Northeast. Applied a few more in RD - most of these RD apps are reaches.
I would be happy to attend UMass though. I have tentative plans to go for higher ed (if finances work out) in AI or some area that has CS+Math+PhyScience angle to it. So I am hoping for an undergrad program that best prepares me for a strong grad program or for a long-term research career. The more I read about UMass the more am liking it - lets see how it goes.
This thread resonates with DS20’s situation on multiple levels.
@clgApp20 - Being an Asian male targeting top CS programs is unfortunately against crazy odds to begin with. In addition, if you’re from a competitive HS, it gets even more harder since you’ll be compared against the applicants of your HS. Good news is there are so many great schools out there. I wish you all the best in RD. UMass is a great CS school, but I hope you get into a program you enjoy attending.
DS20 had everything ready to go for CMU ED, but chose not to push the submit button last minute. We’re also in-state IL like @dreambig55 and @ChrisKos1 and UIUC was a top choice for DS20. Unfortunately, he got rejected from UIUC CS in EA round. But, he got into UMich, Wisconsin and Minnesota Twin Cities. He does have some great alternatives although at a higher cost.
Like others on this thread, DS has competitive stats: 36, 3.9, 4.65, 800, etc.
@hnbjaz and @chmcnm - thanks for sharing interesting perspectives about UIUC. I never thought of state financial reasons being a potential reason for in-state selectivity.
@Barefooter - thanks. Surprised to see your sons rejection at UIUC (similar to couple others on the thread). It is a bit of strange situation at UIUC - CS is super competitive while other majors are not that bad. In our OOS school - none of us got into CS (at least 10 of us applied there with CS as 1st choice major). Everyone who had a second major, got in that alternate major.
Congrats to your son on UMich - its a great univ, in many ways it maybe a better alternative than UIUC (alumni connections and business school reputation). Don’t mean to start a UIUC vs UMich debate here but happy for his success. I got deferred at UMich - pretty much like everyone else in my school.
but happy for his success. I got deferred at UMich - pretty much like everyone else in my school.