Looking for targets and reaches for computer science

College Search & Lists
1

I have already applied to three schools. One of them is a reach (Georgia Tech). Another one is a target (University of Florida), and I already got accepted into my safety.

However, I am trying to finish my list. I am looking to major in computer science. This is my list:

Certain that I am going to apply:

  • Stanford (reach)
  • MIT (reach)
  • University of Texas at Austin (reach)
  • UCLA (reach)
  • Rice university (reach)

I am looking for suggestions on my list and suggestions on targets for computer science. I was considering Purdue as a possible target, but I consider the ones with cold weather carefully. I am open to cold weather as long as it is reasonable and the school/campus is worth it, such as MIT. However, a milder weather is preferable.

2

What is your budget/year?
Home State?
SAT/ACT scores?
UW GPA?

of AP/IB or DE courses?

EC’s?

3

@Gumbymom
I would like to keep debt under 30k/year
Florida
1500 SAT
4.0 UW
Around 6-8
CS related EC’s, pretty decent (mobile app dev)
Weakest point are recs and essays.

4

You probably do not want to take more than about $5.5-7.5k debt per year (the federal direct loan limit).

Have you run the net price calculator on each college’s web site? Do not expect good financial aid from out-of-state public universities.

5

Drop UCLA from your Reach list since you will get little to no financial aid and it will cost you around $60K/year.

I am only really familiar with the California schools. You might want to add USC (University of Southern California) to your list and apply by Dec 1 for merit aid. You have very competitive test scores and GPA and could garner some good merit to make it affordable.

Other very good CS schools in California would be Santa Clara and Harvey Mudd.

Best of luck and run the Net Price calculators for each school.

6

Are you eligible for FA? Otherwise, you will certainly need Merit to get anywhere close to your budget. That will radically change your list, if you need Merit.

7

Consider Northeastern - solid CS and co-op program and has competitive merit up to 30K which could get the cost to affordability.

Frankly, even at competitive privates, it will be hard to beat the value of UF. They have a solid program and with bright futures, you will save a ton compared to any school. Even if you get into a place like GT or Northeastern, it’s hard to justify that the difference is worth the cost difference. More plausible for MIT/Stanford, but even then it would be a very debatable decision. Of course, it also depends on where the 30K would come from, but keep all this in mind.

8

@PengsPhils

Thanks, I’ll look into northeastern. I still don’t know if I’ll get into UF though.