He said cost (up to $50k) is affordable to his family. Let’s move on.
The quality of CS education and access to certain opportunities are different across schools. They’re not all the same.
@laxlover1:
Unless you’re in a cutting-edge, research heavy area like AI/ML, computer vision, etc. you don’t really need an MS. And you don’t need an MBA to climb the tech ladder. You may benefit from an MS in financial engineering if you land up in that area, but it’s too soon to think about that.
OP noted they were in (as well as ASU and U of SC) and then diminished it (and others).
There were simply points made in response to OP’s response…
I’ve continued to say I believe OP will get into three (already has), and potentially up to six.
And I noted any of the three (in already) would be great choices.
As for an MBA, it’s premature as OP (nor anyone) truly knows where they’ll be in four years. It may, or may not, be worth it - but for some, they may choose to pursue regardless (for personal reasons). I continue to believe an MBA is a good thing overall, although YMMV dependent upon the job.
Please keep the discussion on topic. The OP has addressed any questions about budget. They are asking for feedback to improve their application for RD.
Feel free to take off-topic conversations to PM. Thanks!
Look at Stevens Institute of Technology. Great location, across the river from Manhattan. They have a very good co-op program and students get a lot of internship opportunities. I think you might get enough merit + need based aid to get it under $50k.
I would have suggested adding UIUC and UMD to your list alongside Purdue, but since you’re past the EA deadline it’s too late.
DD graduated from a well ranked Charlotte region HS, so she applied to NC schools, Clemson and some other regional flagships. I watched the acceptances for several years, for DD specifically engineering. They looked for an UWGPA of >3.85. NCSU and Clemson were very stats driven; this was discussed at their respective engineering open houses. The top ~10% from her HS were accepted into NCSU and UNC depending on major.
I can speak to Clemson’s admissions. Until 2 years ago they would release results for higher stats (>3.85uwgpa/>31 ACT/top 10% class rank) students in tiers by stats starting the 1st week of November through January. These dates weren’t published and accounted for maybe 10% of applicants with students receiving notice of merit scholarships. The balance of decisions were released in February. Watching results the last 2 cycles, it appears they combined those tiers into one EA release date.
As for RD, CS is very competitive at all schools; if you would like a few more possible options, you could add a couple schools like UTK or FSU.
I’m not sure if you addressed your diagnosis in your applications; I will note discussing it can set the application up for comparison to others in the same or more complicated medical situations.
Good luck with the rest of your schools and congratulations on your acceptances.
I put my diagnosis in Additional Info, trying hard to emphasize how much I’ve improved after seeking treatment without explicitly blaming my past grades on lack of medication.
My school is a “feeder” for NCSU and UNC with many students past the top 10% getting in, but I acknowledge they aren’t guaranteed for anyone, even if I did have a better GPA.
Clemson’s admission system seems unnecessarily poorly run, I probably wouldn’t go. Ironically, it seems like the smaller schools incl. T20s care less about GPA, UNC has a higher percentage of people with 4.0 UWs than Harvard.
Not data you can compare unless you know how the schools calculate GPA.
Example, UF and UGA are two common cross shops.
One gives .5 for Honors and 1 for AP. The other weights differently.
So one may be a 4.3and the same at the other school a 3.9. Same kid.
Again you are pulling stats without context.
You’re already on a great path with three great acceptances - better than you realize.
Good luck on the rest.
Ps - you shouldn’t be highlighting your medical. Rather ask your counselor to do (where you’ve yet to apply). It will have more impact vs a self report which may be discounted.