Completely lost. Looking to major in computer science

I’m currently a Junior at a pretty good high school. I have no idea how the whole college search/application system works. I don’t know if iI should take the SAT or ACT, or which SAT subject tests I should take. My counselor has a way of explaining things that leaves me with more questions than when I started, and neither of my parents went to college, so I’m pretty much suck between a rock and a hard place. I was thinking about Drexel, but I’m open to many other suggestions.

Past APs: Statistics (4 on exam)
Current APs: Calc BC, Physics 1
GPA: 95 weighted
PSAT: 175

Extracurriculars: going to be in NHS and Math League. Previously did Robotics, but stopped.

Community Service: 3+ hours/week, junior EMT/Firefighter

I was in the same boat. Neither of my parents went to college and I got accepted to a UC. For me, the SAT was easier but lengthier and the ACT vice versa, but it depends with each person. Based on your academic record and AP score, you might want to consider an SAT subject test in a math area your good at. Take a a subject test to show off your strengths. It can only help you. If you don’t want to share it, you don’t have to. Whatever you choose, study for it :slight_smile:

First off, can you get back into Robotics?

Second, you’re first-gen which can be a “hook” at some colleges. :slight_smile:
They’re all super selective (or most of them), so the trick will be to maintain a rigorous schedule and excellent grades,
while finding something you excel in and getting good test scores. Wheewww, right? :slight_smile:
But you have plenty of time, the trick is to do things in order and on time. Since you just started junior year, you’re in a good position to affect whatever needs to be, and continue what you’re doing well.

Check out these websites, designed for first gen students:
http://www.imfirst.org/
http://blog.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/blog/#sthash.1rlIKiBg.dpbs

Are you a boy or a girl?* (it matters - some colleges want to admit more boys, others want to admit more girls! And some only admit either one.)
What’s your parents’ budget for each year of college? Calculate your EFC with them. Your strategy will be different if your EFC is 0 or 50,000! :wink:
http://www.thecollegesolution.com/your-first-financial-aid-step/
What State do you live in?
Are you willing to go anywhere in the country if they offer a good deal or do you have geographic constraints?
Are you URM (African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino/a, Pacific Islander, Native American, and in some states Asian)?

Next:
you should prepare for the PSAT (use khan academy, it’s free and very good), it’s a giant scholarship competition; only the tippy top takers “win”, but it’s worth trying, right? In any case, working on the PSAT will prepare you for standardized tests, and that in turn will open more possibilities for you.
One of these possibilities is Questbridge Colleg Prep, a summer program that will help you compete for top colleges and get scholarships - but you’ll need better scores than 175 PSAT (you’ll need the equivalent of 185 or so, as a minimum; and your family shouldn’t make more than 60,000 for a family of 4.)
http://www.questbridge.org/summer-programs

Second, during junior year, prepare leisurely both the SAT and the ACT. Take both and see which one you do better at. Beware that the SAT is changing (your PSAT will match the new SAT format).
DO however plan to take SAT Subjects in May or June, when you’re done with the year’s content, but stillhave it fresh in your mind. A HIGH score there will be necessary for colleges that have the best financial aid.
Third, during junior year, it’s essential you get the best grades you can and read a lot. Really, there’s no substitute for reading a lot. Magazines, non fiction, novels, it doesn’t matter, just have a book in your backpack at all times and when you have time, read a couple pages - on the bus, waiting for something to heat in the microwave… :stuck_out_tongue: Sounds like I’m kidding, but I’m not.

If your family’s lower income (if you qualify for reduced or free lunch, for example), you’re allowed to have 2 “free” sittings of the SAT, 2 “free” sittings od the ACT, and 2 “free” sittings of the SAT subjects, in addition to anything that’s given to all for free at your school (lke if ACT testing is mandatory, it’s typically free for all students, and therefore comes on top of your specific waivers). Use them strategically.

Take two Subjects in May or June, after you’ve finished with the class but while the content of the subjects is still fresh. There’s no requirement to choose any one subject, so choose the two subjects you feel you’re the strongest in.
Then in the Fall, retake the one subject where you got the lowest score (unless both May/June scores were 700s!) and take another one, typically a foreign language (in November if a heritage/native language, in December if not - this is very important because the tests are different!!)

Each time to take the SAT (Reasoning or Subjects), you can send all your scores for free to 4 universities. Take advantage of this since otherwise, sending the tests costs $11 per test and it adds up quickly.
Don’t send your first junior year scores anywhere, unless your practice tests consistently show you score in the mid to high 600s or higher (or 29-30 on the ACT - those don’t correspond but practice tests tend to be skewed for the ACT because the science section is much harder on the actual test.) Always take the ACT with writing (few universities accept scores without it.)
Once your May scores are in, prepare well for the next tests; use this opportunity to send your SAT Reasoning + Subject when you take the test in June (unless May went horrible of course)… and do so strategically:
SAT June results= sent to state school safeties/matches;
(Senior year) ACT September results= sent to matches;
SAT October results= sent to 2 other matches and 2 reaches;
November or December SAT results= sent to 4 reaches (if your ACT is higher, you may have to pay to send your ACT results, unless your school organizes mandatory/free ACT tests Spring Junior year as some schools do, so that you’d have the “free, mandatory” ACT junior year and 2 free for September and December senior year, sending December results to reaches.)
The assumption is that your scores will go up, so even if your May+June tests weren’t too good, they’re good enough for your in-state, public safeties. Then as your preparation increases and the scores go up, you send them to increasingly more selective schools.

DO NOT take any standardized test without preparing seriously for several months ahead of time. Register for “question of the day” on each website, use Khan academy every day, start working with whatever material’s available in your guidance office and school library or town library, etc.
Your school doesn’t prepare you for those tests so you need to check if there’s any “free prep workshop” at the library or at a community center. If so, sign up immediately (places go quickly).

  • just in case: colleges for which it matters may use "identify as" to avoid confusion, so if you were born a boy or intersex and identify as a girl, you can apply to women's colleges.

Check out these schools

http://www.computersciencedegreehub.com/50-innovative-computer-science-departments/

http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com/graduate-schools/sciences/computer-science.aspx