Decision 2008: NU or UIUC or CM (Computer Engineering)

College Search & Lists
1

<p>I want to major in computer engineering (bachelor degree) and these are my top choices:
Northwestern University
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Carnegie Mellon University
MIT <- probably have like a 5% chance of getting in with the low ACT score</p>

<p>I was wondering which of the 3 colleges I should apply to for early decision plan. I currently have a 27 ACT score and might raise it up depending on what you people think. I think I might get a 30 next time I take it.</p>

<p>I also want to know which of those colleges will offer a better career path (job offerings)for me.</p>

2

<p>Uiuc is the easiest one in the bunch to get into. MIT, CMU, and UIUC all have excellent ce departments and all will get you a good career path. Northwestern has a good ce department but it just can not compare to the above schools.</p>

3

<p>You need to raise your scores before you even think about these schools.</p>

4

<p>Def. CMU/MIT imo for their job networking for such a major. I was just at BOC here at CMU and all the recruiters were snatching up as many kids as possible as we have a sterling reputation. Even the companies under trouble and not hiring like Citi/Lehman/Merill Lynch came to recruit.</p>

5

<p>need some more replies</p>

6

<p>Don’t know about the others, but UIUC Engineering’s mean ACT is 30-33.</p>

<p>So, if you want to have comfortable admission there, I would recommend at least a 31.</p>

7

<p>According to Bill Gates, Microsoft hires the most computer sciences graduates from UIUC.
[Article:</a> Bill Gates Speaks to UI Students | News | Computer Science | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign](<a href=“http://www.cs.uiuc.edu/news/articles.php?id=2004Feb27-1]Article:”>http://www.cs.uiuc.edu/news/articles.php?id=2004Feb27-1)</p>

<p>IMHO, all of these schools will get you a good start in your career … that is, if you do well.</p>

8

<p>Need to get your ACT score up for all of those schools.</p>

<p>If in-state, UIUC is a no-brainer (unless $$ is not an issue).</p>

9

<p>Yeah, I am in-state (Illinois) but about the financial issue - If I apply early, does that mean that I have like no leeway with scholarships and financial aid? Both of my parents income combined is about 30k and assets are 2 cars 1 house (owned) another house mortgage <— long story.</p>

<p>The thing is my parents encourage me to go to any college I want if I can get it and just make the money back later. Mostly take out student loans for the tuition and stuff for all 4 years, I don’t know if there is a limit or not.</p>

10

<p>need more advice</p>

11

<p>look herre i need help</p>

12

<p>Take a look at the postings of last year’s acceptances and rejections here on CC. A lot of kids with significantly higher ACTs were rejected from the schools on your list. Your list is not a realistic one.</p>

<p>UIUC is a reasonable reach for you. It has an excellent computer science program, and, if you do a priority application, you’ll have an response by mid-December . This does not exclude you from EA or ED at other schools - almost all will allow you to apply to state schools at the same time as ED. But the true questions are these:
On the positive side -what schools would you choose to attend rather than UIUC?
On the negative side- what schools would you attend if you are rejected from all your top schools, including UIUC?</p>