Hey, so I already applied to 2 colleges. UMD and Michigan Tech. I got accepted to both and have toured UMD so far and really like it.
My Unweighted GPA: 3.29
ACT: 30
I took at least 4-5+ honors classes, 5 AP classes and numerous other harder classes in HS and have done 3 sports for all 4 years.
I want to do Computer Science or another type of engineering for sure (100%).
Now I only applied to 2 schools because I want to continue Nordic Skiing in college and finding a college in a northern region with a good ski season/trails and that offers a good computer science program (and I could maybe get into) was relatively hard.
Now I’m wondering if I should apply to some more schools because my criteria has changed slightly. I didn’t really have any reach schools (just Michigan Tech which was kind of hard) and I didn’t know how I would stack up because my GPA is so much lower than what people with my ACT typically have. Now I’m satisfied with both colleges I was accepted to, but I’m wondering if I should now look into a couple more reach schools just cause. I’ve already missed the early decisions for most of these but is it still worth it to apply?
I’m looking at:
Iowa State
U of M TC
and maybe some more
Also Nordic skiing has become lesser of a priority for me and my priority is now more focused on a quality weight training area, so I would be more open to more areas of the country.
My son is considering Iowa State for engineering. We toured the school last month and were very impressed with the engineering department. The application is very easy to complete (no essays or LORs), and you will have a decision within a couple of days.
Iowa State is not a huge reach school - 87% acceptance rate. If you’re interested, go for it.
Minnesota is a more selective school, and you’ve missed their priority deadline, so that one is less likely for you. But, if you think the school is a better fit for you and you won’t be devastated by a rejection, you could try. Your test score is in line and it sounds like you took rigorous classes, it’s just that you would have been better off applying before December 15th.
Alright I will apply to Iowa State. I probably won’t apply to U of M TC though. I don’t necessarily know if those schools would be a better fit for me or not, but I feel like having a few more doors open if my criteria change would be nice.
Also, any other schools that I should apply to as-well that would be a reach or semi-reach and I haven’t missed the deadline for? Thanks for the responses so far.
U of M TC is a very good school. You could still squeak in an application and be eligible for honors and scholarship consideration (deadline is today) if you want to take a chance.
CSE at UM TC is relatively selective, a 30 ACT for an OOS won’t garner scholarships or honors, and it not necessarily a shoo in for admit (especially this late, as they have started admitting already).
Best bet to get into UM TC would be through CLA. CSE is very tough admit, and you can get a BA CSI through CLA. Some CS classes just different degree work.
I’d go with Umn - Morris - very good for CS, possible Nordic skiing, easier to get into than UMN Twin Cities (but possibility of transfer if your GPA is strong), relatively inexpensive, well-funded by the State. It’s always good to have an alternative.
UMD is fantastic for CS but you run the risk of not getting into the major when competing against much stronger candidates - unless your particular strength is programming and math.
@Hellofagal Yes you’re right. I’m referring to U of M Duluth, sorry for the confusion anyone.
@MYOS1634 When you say UMD is fantastic for CS are you referring to U of M Duluth? I was already accepted into the major at UMD Duluth yet I’m not sure if it would be better to go there or to Tech (or to maybe another school I could still apply to).
I can afford Tech and UMD Duluth. My parents are paying for the price of UMD Duluth and I have to pay whatever the price is above and beyond if I choose a more expensive school. I got a 12.5k OOS academic scholarship to Tech which leaves me like 7k to make each year which is not too bad considering my aunt tends to give a 1-2k scholarship and I work a job.
I never heard of U of M Morris for CS, but I’ll look into them. Possibly going to U of M Duluth I would have the same transfer potential though, right?
Michigan State is a good option too, with an engineering school on par with Michigan Tech. You don’t get as much snow as Michigan Tech (200 inches) but you don’t have the brutal cold either. The Campus is huge with fields and woods, plus a river that runs through it. Weight training is readily available at most universities. If you have a car there are great areas within a short driving distance.
The downside of MSU is that you are not admitted directly to engineering. You need a minimum GPA for many majors. The upside is that the M/F ratio at MSU is 50/50, at Michigan Tech it is 75/25.
UMN-D isn’t umd hence the confusion.
(UMD = U maryland… Top U for CS)
Umn Morris is much better than UMN Duluth for CS. It may also be cheaper.
I second trying for Michigan State.
Okay so I think I’m going to apply to Michigan State, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ohio State and maybe Iowa State. Should that be good? I would be happy even if all 4 denied me, but I really want to look into a school that has good computer science but also has a better gender ratio and location than mich. tech.
Considering how strong in CS UMN Morris is, you really should apply, especially since you’re instate. It’s better than both Michigan tech and Umn Duluth. Think of it as a private college taken over by the state to provide undergraduate -focused education to top students who, for whatever reason, don’t want to OR can’t get into UMN TC but have a higher all around level than students at other state schools.
Michigan State is a good reach to have. Ohio State will be a higher reach. Iowa state is less good than Morris for CS and is likely more expensive.
What about private colleges - St Olaf, Gustavus Adolphus, Lawrence, Beloit, Earlham, Butler?
So the thing is that I’m more interested in B.S. in CompSci than B.A. I’m not entirely sure of the differences between the 2, but I’ve heard that BS is better and with some google searches it seems to be more what I’m interested in.
Would the liberal arts focused schools offer B.S. or do anything differently? It’s been kind of a factor for me not really looking twice at those schools.
There’s no qualitative difference between a BA and a BS. Some colleges just offer BA’s.
Essentially, if a college offers both, BA 's have about one third free courses - which you can use for a minor or more advanced classes in your major. A BS will have more specific classes in a sequence and fewer electives.
Nothing keeps a BA/CS major from taking whatever classes they like from the BS list if they attend a college that offers both tracks. In fact, most employers won’t even care, what they’ll carenis technical and social skills, creativity…if the college only offers a BA in CS the student is seen as a CS major anyway.