I am alarmed at how little I have as safeties.
Here are my stats:
SAT: 800 Math, 800 Critical Reading, 690 Writing 2290 composite
GPA: 3.95 UW
Planning on taking SATII tests for Math and Physics. My projected score would be 780-800 for MathII and 750-780 for Physics.
State: California
I haven’t had the financial talk with my parents because things are a bit complicated. My parents are divorcing by next year and they can’t really provide me an accurate answer at the moment, so I am stuck here helpless.
A safety should be affordable, a school you are willing to attend not matter what and you have a high chance for an acceptance. The money talk needs to be done soon.
Since you are a California resident, I would say (if affordable) UCSC or UCR would make excellent safety schools which have good CS programs. If the cost of the UC’s are too high, consider SDSU/CSULB or CPP.
UCSC and SJSU will keep you close to many computer companies.
If finances are really uncertain, look in the automatic full tuition and full ride list for a super safety.
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haven’t had the financial talk with my parents because things are a bit complicated. My parents are divorcing by next year and they can’t really provide me an accurate answer at the moment, so I am stuck here helpless.
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Sorry to hear this. Unfortunately divorce wreaks financial havoc on most families. Lawyers take a huge chunk, and it is far more costly to suddenly need two households than it is to have one household.
You need to talk to your parents. They may be able to give you some insight, although please understand that at this point, they may not yet know how extensive the financial damage will be. Usually after divorce, people say it cost more than they thought it would.
In the meantime, as UCB mentions, use the scholarship list and apply to some schools with ASSURED VERY large merit for your stats.
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com
You may think that these won’t be necessary, but you don’t want to be caught with no affordable schools next year, so pick a couple and apply SOON. Many have FALL deadlines for merit consideration.
Are you a likely NMF???
What Mom2 said above is very important for you, with an uncertain financial situation.
You have done beautifully with your scores and GPA. Now reap the benefit by nailing down some assured full scholarship opportunities. Cast a bit of a wide net, and then sit down and make a good choice.
But you need to research this and move quickly so you don’t miss the proverbial boats.
Good luck!
Thank you everyone for your suggestions.
@mom2collegekids
Unfortunately, I am not a NMF.
I am looking at all the merit-scholarship schools and it is quite a comprehensive list! Are there recommendations as to which school on that list has the best CS programs associated? Thanks!
See if your HS counselor has a copy or, or access to, something called Rugg’s Guide. They list the top undergraduate programs in almost all the majors, including CS. The rankings purport to come from the admissions people for graduate schools in those respective disciplines. Has a good reputation.
Then compare those list of high-ranked CS undergraduate programs to the schools that offer full tuition scholarships and high levels of merit aid, and that should point you in the right direction.
Good luck!