Agree. My daughter’s best friend wasn’t thrilled to have to go to Rutgers (cost was a factor) but is having a great experience. NJ kids underrate this very good university (perhaps in part because the physical plant is so spread out and perhaps because NJ is so small that they don’t feel like they are away).
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Just to reinforce the SUNY idea for OP, it seems that for NJ residents SUNY schools will match costs to Rutgers
https://www.suny.edu/go/oos/
They also have free application through Nov 6.
well, that is misleading, sorry, it does not apply to bing or stony brook, sorry OP!
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You are a stronger candidate than you give yourself credit for (pretty rare for this site). There are tons of great schools with good CS departments that are within your reach. However, your financial constraints coupled with CS interests make Rutgers a good choice. So apply to Rutgers EA (non-binding), get in (quite likely) and then go for some reach schools where your parents would pay up if you got in. You can EA/ED at most schools even if you EA at your state school.
You have changed your mind about your major, and you should consider a school with strong offerings outside of CS in the not unlikely even that you will have another change of heart.
Although these things are in the eye of the beholder, the only school on your list that is unquestionably ‘way better’ than Rutgers is Princeton. That one is a stretch for everyone. However, you would have a reasonable shot ED at schools like Cornell or U of Chicago, which have super offerings across the board. Have you thought of a liberal arts school like Swarthmore, Williams or Amherst? These schools are known for high quality of life and have some of the happiest students and grads around. They are all great in CS and have absolutely super offerings in many other disciplines. You will not get merit money at any of these schools but many students find that the incremental value of the education and experience is worth the additional money.
Your situation is really pretty good. You have a backup that is affordable and great for your intended major. So get in there, and then take a shot at some other schools (don’t wait too long though, ED1 is Nov 1! You can also ED 2 at some of the schools above. Make sure you use both to max out your odds).
Best of luck,
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The main challenge with this approach is that Cornell, Chicago and the LACs won’t be affordable to OP if parents are unable/unwilling to pay more than $50k/year, unless they are eligible for financial aid (which doesn’t appear to be the case based on how OP described the situation).
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Fair point. The sticker on these other schools is 70k+. That’s a gap of 20k. You’d need to cover the rest with loans. But the list of schools that are ‘way better’ than Rutgers that you can for 50k/year is short indeed, if it exists. In fact, the list of comparable schools for CS that you can get for 50k is probably pretty short too. So if 50k is a hard limit, Rutgers it is. However, considering CS grads at schools like Swarthmore are making in the vicinity of 100k right of the gate, it seems like taking on some loans wouldn’t be unreasonable.
The student cannot take $20,000 a year in loans in their name only. Either their parents would need to co-sign, or take parent loans.
There have been some good suggestions upstream where this student has the potential to get some merit aid at schools with good CS programs that don’t coat $70,000 a year…like UMass.
The issue is that the list in the first post contains a number of colleges that this student either can’t afford, or where the student is doubtful they will get accepted.
I would suggest that their RD list include a better variety of colleges…ones that are affordable and where they at least think they have a chance of acceptance.
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I need to add…in your original college list, you have colleges with tons of other majors…they aren’t just business schools. If you get accepted, you can choose a different major. As noted, many college students switch majors.
Your main issue seems to be affordability, frankly.
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Umass Amherst over 50k per year. No merit. So that’s not an option. And neither I suspect, are most of the other schools on the list above. As noted. the list of schools that will give enough merit to get under 50k and are also better than Rutgers CS is pretty darn short.
Do we know parents won’t cosign loans? That would be pretty harsh, especially for someone who could pull in six figures upon graduating. It effectively leaves Rutgers and perhaps a small handful of other schools as only option.
How about USC? Significant merit for NM scholars - I believe enough to get under 50K. Fine school, fine computer science program. Tough admissions, but certainly within reach for this candidate.
Purdue could also work. Cheaper, I believe, than Rutgers. Fine CS.
I note that Rutgers in state is about 50k with R&B. So applicants parents are on the hook for 50k at any rate.
As others have mentioned, Rutgers is very strong in your areas of interest and you should definitely apply. But is part of your aversion to Rutgers its size (either enrollment or the spread out campus)? If so, have you thought about New Jersey Institute of Technology or Stevens Institute of Technology? They’re much smaller and might feel more approachable.
Also, if you start showing significant interest, I think Case Western would be a really good possible fit and they give enough merit aid that it could fall into budget, too. .
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Rutgers will take you far in CS and you can study abroad or do a US exchange for a semester or a year.
Look at the opportunities for summer internships that can take you all over the globe.
rutgers in state is 30K a year with room and board
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If I had NMF, I would take advantage of a freebie or near freebie.
I get Rutgers is a great school with a great rep.
But it’s no different than most other flagships so if a Bama wants to send you to school for free tuition and room for four years - or others want to pay tuition. etc. I’d find it hard not to take it.
From what your folks want to pay, you could save most of it - maybe spend less than $40K in four years. So what you lose in reputation which is hard to quantify and might not pay - they’d save in hard dollars. Few have that opportunity.
Most flagships are solid and with recruiting now mostly done online - yes, they all have career fairs but most are finding jobs via indeed and linkedin, etc. - the rep of a Rutgers vs. Oklahoma State vs. a UTK vs. Alabama - it’s not worth a six figure difference - in my opinion.
I wasn’t sure you wanted a big school - but Delaware, Ohio State, Purdue, ASU, Florida, Iowa State, NC State might be others to look at but to me - they’re similar to the experience you’d get at a very find Rutgers - but again, when one is lucky enough for NMF - well, that’s a gift and you can cash in.
Kids with CS degrees will get jobs - if they pass the tests they are given by the companies.
You might see if there’s an area of CS you are interested in - and who offers that.
Good luck to you.
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I respectfully disagree.
Flagships vary in strength and range of opportunities they offer. Some are “public Ivies” and others are not, so yes there are differences IMO.
And when it comes to CS, Rutgers and Bama aren’t equivalent. The $30k/yr difference in cost (or $16k if OP gets merit $$ at Rutgers) is worth it, especially since it’s well within the family’s budget.
Just a note since Purdue has been mentioned a few times. You must apply EA for CS otherwise chances are close to nil in RD. Deadline is 11/1. Like UMD, the entire application needs to be received by that date and OP mentioned that because of their school’s transcript request policy, it is already too late.
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My daughter had lesser stats than the OP, BING gave her enough merit to bring it lower than Rutgers (actuarial science so I don’t know if that helped). The OP might might get into the honors college at Rutgers, a tough admit. UMASS also met Rutgers sticker price for all 3 of my daughters (but no honors).
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Not for in state.
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Rutgers NB instate cost of attendance is a little over $30,000 a year.
On-Campus
Tuition $12,900******
Fees $3,363**+**
Room and Board $13,909**+**
*Total
$30,172
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I don’t think BING or Stonybrook are participating.