I am struggling with this age old problem currently and would like some help. I am a student from rural SC looking at Emory University and the College of Charleston (also other schools such as U of Michigan, but not sure how I feel about that). I plan on studying Quantitative Science/Data Science (very technical and specific field that probably requires some grad school work) and Philosophy (the true love of my life), with a minor in Political Science (something I am very interested in). My parents are wealthy, so money is not a huge problem, but I am still hesitant on “blowing” money if it is not necessary. I plan on going to grad school, but I want to make sure that I can “catch up”, so I am wondering if the cost of Emory or UM justifies usurping College of Charleston. I don’t care about “prestige” at all, even though I get weird looks when I tell people I am looking at CoC, because of my admittedly great academic reputation that precedes me. However, I am worried that going to a college like CoC, my chances of getting into a great grad school decrease.
If I go to Emory it would be:
Major: Quantitative Science (with a concentration in Political Science) and Philosophy
Minor: Mediterranean Archaeology (don’t ask)
Probable Cost: Maybe a little chunk off, but probably full tuition.
If I went to College of Charleston it would be:
Major: Data Science and Philosophy
Minor: Political Science
Probable Cost: Literally I would have to pay for my books and parking (surprisingly expensive for the city). That’s it, I have already talked with an admission officer and they said it would be insane if I didn’t get a full-ride, because of my test scores and EC’s.
If I went to U of Michigan it would be:
Major: Data Science
Minor: Political Science and Philosophy
Probable Cost: Maybe a three-fourths of the full tuition, but I am not jacked about that.
I love all of these colleges and would be happy at any of them, I am just wondering whether or not the price tag of Emory is worth it over the benefits of CoC. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Agree with @PurpleTitan: Apply to all three, also research more options. Worry about which to attend about 10 months from now (assuming that you just finished Junior year, which I am guessing from your post).
@descartsphilospher
You have to apply to these schools first. Hopefully you apply to more than three I would suggest at least 5, which includes 2 safety’s that you really like. What are your stats?
@VANDEMORY1342
SAT: 1490
AP’s: Will have completed 10 by graduation and I did well in all of them
UWGPA: 4.0
WGPA: 5.18
EC’s: I wrote two books and one of them got published. I am into 3d printing and was crucial in getting it into my school. Founded/Led a philosophical club that I am very proud of. Led a habitat for humanity project. Work at a design company and do IT work for my city. I also play 3 sports.
@AimingTop50
Yes, but most of these schools do not have the program I am interested in during undergrad because it is so specific.
I am also considering:
Clarke U
UC Berk (not excited about Cali though)
Georgetown U
Clemson U (Cheap for me because I am an ISS and received Palmetto Fellows (state scholarship))
College of William and Mary
Wofford College (Not a full ride but I could still get it pretty cheap)
@LBad96
You would be correct in assuming that. That list was in no particular order btw. I have family near the area of Clarke so I always include it in my lists.
It’s pretty interesting you are dead set on such a major, so much so that you won’t consider schools not offering it. I’m would think that the schools that you think do not have it have similar majors and programs/concentrations. I think you should look at more schools in the middle (that you might get money from) with a similar major. That’s just my opinion
I’m basically just saying you should keep your doors open, if you don’t mind the extra work for the additional applications. It could land you at a very good university for a very good price.
@descartsphilospher I think you need to raise your SAT by 20 points or so, if you want to apply RD for Emory, for ED that score is fine. Other than that you are a great applicant.
Emory- Reach/High Reach
UCB- High Reach(OOS)
GTown- Reach
@AimingTop50
You are correct in assuming that Data Science is very similar to statistics. It essentially only blends Statistics and Computer Science. I just like the programs at Emory and CoC because they let you concentrate on a specific path (such as accounting, political science, or e-commerce). I am open to doing a double major in Stats + Computer Science, but I still would like to study Philosophy and most LAC’s or colleges similar to that do not offer a specific Statistics major. I would love suggestions if you could find a good example of a college that has a good Statistics program (that is doable for me(so no Stanford lol)) and would still offer I broader education than just the STEM-focused colleges. Thank you.
@VANDEMORY1342
Thank you. I would love it if you could recommend a University that is in between CoC and Emory that is doable for me and would still offer me a great education in the field I am looking at.
I think it is great that you face this prestige issue head-on (and get it over with) as an important first step.
Some thoughts:
– You might want to sit down and have a formal money talk with your parents. Every year on CC we hear of students whose parents’ casual “don’t worry about money” turns into “SEVENTY thousand dollars A YEAR?” And every year parents are surprised when they do the math. It would be really helpful to know any parameters early on so that you can plan accordingly.
– How important is geography?
– Sounds like you are interested in medium to large size institutions?
– Keep in mind that admissions can be misleading, because anything under 20% for LACs or 30% for research unvisersities should not (in my mind) be seen as a match but automatically as a reach, even if your stats are at the top
– Expanding your list a bit (once you set parameters) is a good idea. However once you have a working list, keep cutting it down in order to keep visits and demonstrated interest manageable. As you go on you will get more realistic, not only about your chances but also about finances and about your own likes/dislikes and preferences.
If you would consider a large-ish LAC in Ohio, Denison might be a good low match for you. Denison is an up-and-coming school. It offers degrees in data analytics, philosophy, poli-sci, and classical studies. Seems to offer good merit aid for high-stats students. Might be worth checking out.
My son is a CS/Data Science major and a William Aiken Fellow at the Honors College at CofC. He has been extremely impressed with the programs at CofC . Great professors. Lots of research opportunities even as freshman. One of his friends has already been published . Lots of very committed , invested , intelligent students in the programs. If you haven’t had the opportunity to meet with Dr Van Deldan, the CS Dean or Dr Folds Bennett, the Dean of the Honors College, I highly recommend a visit. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. Quite a few of their graduates have been accepted at very prestigious post grad institutions . CofC is truly a hidden gem . http://today.cofc.edu/2016/08/22/cofc-class-of-2020-profile/
Your chance at UMich is around 20% from OOS anyway, so you don’t need to struggle among those schools until you get accepted. You know you will not get merit scholarship from UMich with SAT 1490 (mid 50 in new SAT last year was 1440-1570 although the sample size was very small last year). I guess your cost estimation is based on their NPC.