my stats are as seen here
gpa 3.6uw/4.35w
very strong upward trend…
8 aps
sat super score 1330/2000
test 1 = 1320/1990
test 2 = 1320/1960 
will take act in september… most likely 31+
meh ECs
i live in MD
my list so far…
safety - UMBC
match - penn state, UMD, RPI
Reach - illinois urbana champaign, ann arbor
what do i add to match and safety?? i plan on majoring in either computer science or computer engineering
First question is always: what can you afford? Can you afford OOS at Mi & Il?
@collegemom3717 i forgot to add that my parents can afford instate and out of state
RPI may be out of place. Rensselaer has the highest standardized scores on your list, and is the most selective generally, according to USNWR.
The University of Rochester might be a good addition for you, though it is roughly as selective as RPI.
rochester is good as a match school? @merc81 … also their comp sci program doesnt seem to be too highly ranked
Rochester belongs roughly with RPI. These are some “selectivity ranks” from USNWR:
Rochester: 30
RPI: 36
Michigan: 39
UIUC: 50
(These rankings are for all students who applied. OOS applicants at the state schools may be admitted under different standards than in-state applicants.)
Rochester would be a match where you would have a chance of being denied, which I suppose is the definition of a match. By a more conservative standard it is a reach, however.
I’ve only heard good things about Rochester’s CS program. Which rankings are you using?
the us news rankings… its placed around 50… while UMD, the school i most likely plan on attending (hopefully i get in), is around 15
? Undergraduate CS programs are not ranked by USNWR.
really? when i click on the school, then go to all rankings, i can see the computer science ranking
Then I’m not sure. I’m using the Best Colleges book, which I thought to be comprehensive. Just make sure you are reading carefully and that the rankings are for their undergraduate CS programs. Computer engineering would be something else, of course.
from the best colleges book, do you mind telling me UMDs selectivity?
UMD did not receive a numerical rank for selectivity because it is outside of the top 50 in terms of overall rankings. Its general category for selectivity is “more selective,” along with UIUC and Michigan. UMD does seem to like applicants from the top 10% of their HS class (71% of freshmen).
ah i see… i am probably in the top 10% of my class so that should be good
any other good safety schools i should look into?
george mason maybe?
George Mason seems like a good school and would definitely be a safety for you if you lived in Virginia, but it’s harder to know what their policies are for OOS students. Have you considered applying early to Maryland and postponing the search for true safeties pending that outcome?
@merc81 oh i have not!.. i definitely plan on applying EA to UMD… that is my top choice as it’s instate and has a great CS program