How about federal loans? FAFSA or CSS profile?
I think it should be within my family’s budget without loans.
This depends upon a lot of issues. BU says that it meets full need for all US citizens. How they calculate need is something I do not know in detail.
I do know that in general how universities meet need sometimes matches a family’s understanding of their own budget, and sometimes does not. If parents are divorced or separated, or own a small business or rental property, it is less likely that the NPC will be accurate and less likely that the actual offer will end up being affordable.
I am pretty sure that most students move temporarily to live either on campus or near campus when attending university. Of course finding housing or paying for a dorm plus a food plan adds an expense. I think that your stats assuming that you are in-state (and assuming that your stats stay about the same) would make merit aid likely for you at U.Mass. One daughter was offered merit based aid with a similar GPA. We will need to wait and see how you do on the SAT. Also, how you do junior year will matter for university admissions and merit aid.
Often in-state public universities are less expensive compared to private universities. However, this is not always true, and will often depend upon how much financial aid is offered.
For people who are concerned about the cost of education, one reason to avoid applying ED anywhere is to get offers in hand from multiple universities before the student decides where to go. This allows you to compare offers. In contrast, if you apply to one university ED, then you have agreed to attend if you are accepted. Strictly speaking the inability to afford a university is the one valid reason to reject an ED acceptance, but if you need aid then you should run the NPC before applying to see whether a school is likely to be affordable.
And this is exactly correct. Keep up the good work. There are lots of universities that are likely to be good options for a student with an unweighted high school GPA around about 3.87.
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You need to do FAFSA for federal loans. Just say no.
CSS for need aid.
Loans can strangle your future. Look at the CS kids today from top schools - can’t find jobs.
Go where you can afford even if the name isn’t as well known.
Btw BU is need aware I believe - this means they can reject you on the basis of finances (if you need too much). Far less than half of BU students get need aid. It’s possible but they may seek first generation, those they believe are minorities and more. Relatively it’s a school for the wealthy but like Wake and Tufts, they mix in high need kids - moreso than Wake and Tufts but less than other schools.
It’s too hard to know. It has a very low acceptance rate.
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Please remember these numbers are contextualized to your high school by admissions.
The Number of APs at a school where they aren’t allowed to take more than 3 is considered differently than at a school where many take 15. Many too privates and some public’s have no APs.
Do as well as possible in rigorous courses at your own school.
GPA are extremely hard to compare across schools too. Use as a rough guide
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Okay, for me, they do offer many AP classes and as many as I want. Despite this, I decided to take only one next year. What do you think would be my chances compared to others? How could I improve my applications?
For schools that require or desire rigor, you could be hurt.
Statistically, you and most all will be rejected by BU and students will never know the why.
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Okay, thank you. I will keep that in mind.
Do you have suggestions on what university I should applied for ED2?
Given you are limiting yourself to Boston, you have few choices.
What is your budget - how much can you afford?
You are a bit early to even pick an ED. Slow down. Do well. Take the test.
Come back in January.
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Your federal loan limit for freshman year is $5500.
The CSS Profile and the FAFSA do not give loans. They are financial aid applications that the colleges use to determine their awarding of need based aid.
For Boston University, you will need to complete both of these forms. Accurately…and adhering to the deadline for ED applicants…which is early.
If you are applying for admission fall 2026, you will use 2024 tax year income information. BUT that’s not you…you are enrolling as a freshman 2027, so you will use 2025 tax year information…and that year is not yet completed. The net price calculators are currently being set for students starting in fall 2026. Since that is not you, consider them estimates only. And yes, financial aid awarding policies do change.
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However, admissions are need-aware.
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Do you all recommend me for University like Northeastern for Early Decision instead? Which one has better courses in Computer Science?
You haven’t even started junior year of HS yet, so no, none of us can possibly tell you if Northeastern is right for you- or if you should be thinking about Early Decision.
It’s great that you want to think about your future. Focus on being the best possible version of YOU that you can be, and come back in six months and maybe folks here can be helpful. For now- especially before you’ve taken a single standardized test- we’re all just spitballing.
Why Computer Science? What experiences have you had that suggest it’s a great major for you?
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Lots of colleges may be right for you…or not right. NU and BU have different ethos, missions - you need to find the right college for you and you don’t necessarily need to ED…you need to know what you can afford and where you’d like.
it’s not a game - you are committing four years of your life.
There are computer scientists that don’t even have STEM degrees - so there’s that too.
You’re way too early - as I said earlier, come back in 6 months and with a test score.
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Please run net price calculator (next year) before considering ANY college ED. If your family want to compare financial offers from multiple colleges, then ED may not be your best option.
For now focus on doing as well as you can in every aspect (ex. academics, ECs, standardized test prep, etc.) and revisit next year.
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Thank you all for the replies and advices! I will come back here after the SAT and ACT scores are released.