Match me. Weak GPA (2.9 UW), strong ACT (29) Ohio resident

I think your list is way off with regards to how you categorize them. Cincinnati and MSU are not safeties for you with a 2.9 Gpa and 29ACT. I believe they are both reaches.

Your listed “likely” schools are also all reaches in my opinion. Your “matches” are all reaches. And your “reaches” are just a wast a time of money to apply.

I like the suggestions of some others on this thread to focus on the Ohio state schools. Other folks have mentioned Toledo and Youngstown State. I would add that you should look at Kent State, Bowling Green and Ohio University. They all have Computer Science programs.

Additionally I would suggest you do a deep dive into each of the schools common data sets. Just google “Kent State common data set” for example. There you can see the 25%-75% ranges for your GPA and ACT score, along with other good information such as acceptance rates, make up of student body, campus life etc. I believe the common data sets will help you better categorize the schools. In my opinion, when make a list of where you want to apply you should consider any school where you GPA is below the 25% and you ACT school below the 25% a reach and probably an impossible reach. Any school where you ACT gets you into the 25-75% range maybe a match. And only schools where your ACT and GPA both fall with in the 25-75% range a likely or match. I think a safety in your situation a safety would only be where your ACT puts you on the high end of the 25-75% or over the 75% ACT score and where you GPA is within the 25-75% GPA range.

You do have the first generation hook which should help. I think you just need to educate yourself a bit more about your stats and how they correlate to the schools you intend to apply to. I believe in CC there is a 3.0 student thread. You should check that out as many folks there might have some good suggestions for you.

As other have mentioned as you make a list you really need to know the budget. It would also be helpful to know how your ACT subscores.

Good luck.

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