Help point me in the right path

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>Personal Briefing:</p>

<p>Senior in high school, major will be in computer science and wish to double major with physics (for theoretical physics reasons, applied to AI to help my research). I already research by myself in fields such as AI, Quantum Computing, and Theoretical Physics, I have my own theory developed for how the universe came about. In which I need to figure the equations, and a develop an intelligence (AI) that can comprehend one of the concepts as it might be near impossible to be figured by organic life. That's probably the shortest summary out of many pages of explanation I can give you :p</p>

<p>What I'm looking for: </p>

<p>A college in which I can continue my research with professors and students (if this is possible in our education system). Access to Quantum Technology (not important for undergrad, planning to graduate school for quantum information sciences at University of Waterloo) I wish to be in an environment where I can make my visions and theories become true or make big impacts. I have a lot to do in a short amount of time (humans don't live that long :p). I want to duel major in Computer Science and Physics, but computer science as a first choice, or I see it being called a "major and minor" choice. I prefer them to be both major in my education.</p>

<p>Options:</p>

<p>I live in Kansas, and do not wish to be in this state anymore. I really want to go to warm weather state like Florida but it seems their computer science programs are not the greatest. Disregard tuition as a factor, as I already have it planned for any price.</p>

<p>Applied to University of Nebraska and got admitted, and applied to University of West Florida, pending admissions decision. I have a 87% average grade and 20 on ACT (long story to explain as to how I gained so much intelligence so fast, lets just say ADD pills changed my life)</p>

<p>I'm assuming I will be accepted into UWF as well. But anyone here think one fits me better then the other? Or are their better options for me? I read that the University of <em>state name</em> are the best for research, then university of <em>direction + state name</em> follow, and I have seen statistics to prove so unless someone can show me other wise.</p>

<p>If you know of a better school that I can get into who fits my interests feel free to tell me and explain why please</p>

<p>Sorry for the length, but our lives will benefit from it assuming a person has read through and can help point me on the right path.</p>

<p>Thank you,
~ Jake</p>

2

<p>

Does this mean your parents have already saved $200K for your tuition? As a student YOU can only borrow $27K total for your undergrad costs.</p>

<p>As far as schools which have good research funding, you might want to look here: <a href=“http://mup.asu.edu/research2011.pdf[/url]”>http://mup.asu.edu/research2011.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>a 20 on the ACT is going to limit your choices. Have you tried a college search engine like the one here on CC?</p>

4

<p>You’ll have a much larger list of options if you take the ACT (or SAT) again, since you seem to be saying that your scores do not fully show your abilities. Alternatively, you could look at test-optional schools.</p>

<p>Also, please fully explain your financial situation. Erin’s Dad is correct in wondering whether you have the money saved up.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the response,</p>

<p>However, I’m already in the development industry as a freelancer in several areas. This allows me to manage my income and time carefully. College loans will help me out as well, yes I understand the interest and limitations on it but it’s not worth my time to put little into college and more in working to pay for college. As I wish to push my self in my research and mathematics… Also my parents are kind enough to pay for any remainder and they will allow me to pay them back after my college life.</p>

<p>As far as college search engines I have seen none with my category of interest… Artificial Intelligence, Theoretical physics, and opportunities to undertake your own researches all together. So by this, I have to individually research different colleges around the nation and their are over 6,000 + so it is time consuming. This is why I come to this forum to ask for your help and advice.</p>

<p>I am retaking the ACT in December, but I’m not much in taking a risk on getting a better score over my life so I want to layout the options based on the type of colleges that accept people like me.</p>

<p>~ Thank you for your time :)</p>

6

<p>If your parents are able/willing to pay up to $60,000 a year, then that’s fine. Just make sure that they know what the full costs of college may look like.</p>

<p>I doubt many colleges will allow you to do research until you’ve proven that you have the basic knowledge necessary. How many classes have you taken in the CS/Physics fields so far? If you’ve taken several college-level classes then maybe you’d be able to do an independent study project your first semester, but that’s not extremely likely.</p>

<p>Even top schools in the areas of AI and theoretical physics don’t call their departments that - what you need as an undergrad is somewhere with a strong physics program. Grad school is where you’re going to get into the really cool stuff. Try using the SuperMatch function here on CC again. I just stuck in any major including the word “physics” and your ACT/GPA, and came up with a long list of reasonable schools to look at. After you find that list, you can look at the specific departments and see what areas professors are doing research in and what types of facilities they have available.</p>

7

<p>Look into these, not sure they meet ALL of your requirements, but are likely to meet at least two. You are going to have to research the answer to your questions because you are asking for an unusual and complicated set of requirements that people here are unlikely to know the answers to. Especially given the ACT score of 20 which will work against you at the type of universities that are likely to have what you want. Let us know what you find out…</p>

<p>Carnegie Mellon University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Rochester Institute of Technology
University of British Columbia
University of Michigan
University of Pittsburgh
University of Southern California
University of Toronto</p>

8

<p>I strongly suspect you’d be better off taking a gap year - improving your ACT (or SAT scores) - and working on the side with your theory - perhaps also working for more $$ if that would help.</p>

<p>I seriously doubt you’re going to get into anywhere you’d really like with that low of an ACT score. Humans might have a short lifespan, but you’re better off with x-1 years on a path you’d prefer than x years on a path that won’t work. If you aren’t able to keep up with the math (should correlate with a decent math score on either test), doing the coursework to stay in college will be really tough.</p>

9

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I’ve reviewed those suggestions and the University of British Columbia looks like a decent choice, I’m thinking about applying there as I have the application done already. With it being in Canada is a major turn off. I can’t stand the cold but if it were a better fit then so I’d go there. I don’t mind the international concept, just as long as it’s not freezing cold haha. I worry though UBC being in Canada might be distant from future employers. I plan to get a job to do research or development work after the graduate school.</p>

<p>And may I ask you bruno14 what costs are you looking at? Unless I were to attend a school of 50k tuition and 10k other</p>

10

<p>Tuition, room and board have cracked the $60,000 mark at some schools. That doesn’t include books, travel and personal expenses. Assume costs will go up each year you are in college.
[Most</a> Expensive Colleges 2012-2013 - Yahoo! Finance](<a href=“http://finance.yahoo.com/news/most-expensive-colleges-2012-2013.html]Most”>http://finance.yahoo.com/news/most-expensive-colleges-2012-2013.html)</p>

11

<p>hm, well it just depends on the situation. I can pay off cost of living/room and board with my freelancing skills but to not overload myself with work so I can focus on researching and education I can put the rest on loans. I have no problem doing so as I want to spend my college time that is meant for college, not scrambling and overloading myself with financial issues.</p>

12

<p>

Actually you can’t. You are limited to $5.5K in loans as a freshman. Anything above that has to be borrowed by your parents.</p>

13

<p>That’s what I calling a loan :stuck_out_tongue: I already went through this with my parents. They don’t mind me paying it back over time.</p>

14

<p>I look more and more into the UBC and it seems like chances are slim to none as well. So I don’t think it’s a feasible option. It’s starting to look as University of Nebraska or University of West Florida will be my final options… I really like the UCARE program Nebraska has to offer, but I also like the experience by the UWF professors have… any suggestions for these schools?</p>

15