S24 is also the valedictorian of his high school graduating class (about 140 kids in a private school). He was waitlisted at a hard match where he is a legacy, rejected by all reaches, spring accepted at public in state flagship match, accepted with merit at all safeties. He has attended all of the admitted student days and is selecting one of those. He’s actually having a difficult time deciding because they are all such great programs.
What you do in college is far more important than where you go. Congratulations on your acceptances. You can succeed at those places.
All those rejections have got to be a bitter pill, especially with the way decisions are released, with suspense building, followed by disappointment. Having to watch others celebrate acceptances is tough. It’s a little too nuanced, in the middle of that, to be able to feel the same way about landing a CS spot at UT-Austin. This is going to feel bad for a little while, and nothing we say here can make that go away completely.
Those acceptances can lead to some tough decisions, though. We see TX CS kids here with some regularity, who are struggling with a choice about whether to spend quite a bit more money to attend an “elite” school with a less-respected CS program than UT’s. (Is your financial situation such that your reach school would have cost more than, less than, or the same as UT?)
Conversely, you wouldn’t believe how often we have to burst the bubble of CS kids from other parts of the country, whose initial posts here include UT-Austin on their lists. We have to break it to them that either they’re wildly unlikely to score a CS admission as an OOS applicant, or that there is no path to affordability at UT for them, or both. It’s a hard dream to give up, for a lot of strong applicants. I know the “familiarity breeds contempt” effect is strong, but believe me that there are highly-qualified students who are bummed not to have the chance that you have. I hope that after the shock and disappointment wear off, you’ll begin to see the opportunity through the eyes of the many students who would envy you the acceptance and the in-state price.
Is UT-Austin affordable for your family? (UTD is also excellent for CS, and I assume you’d be in the Honors College, and likely Collegium V too.)
I’m sure it feels like going to a TX public U is going to feel like High School 2.0, but I promise it won’t. I hope you’ll come back here in a year or two or four, and tell future students in the same situation how it really worked out for the best. But unfortunately you don’t get to skip ahead to how you’ll feel then. Just know in your head, if not in your heart, that your hard work has paid off and that you’re going to get a top-notch education.
I’m sorry to hear that. And i know what it feels like. I’ve been there as a parent. I have kids in the ivys and UT. They’re all where they’re meant to be, and love it. They all still get good gtades
This may not make you feel better… but it really isn’t you. Admin for top colleges are not all aboit merit or well roundedness.
I’ve been there, done that as a parent. My kids have similar credentials, and they only applied to UT and ivys. Luckily their majors are top programs in the nation, so it worked out. One is at the ivys, she loves it there for many reasons. But the kids there arent any more spevial than other top public schools. Brush it off.
Keep an open mind and make use if that you learn at UT and you’ll ho far. Congrats on your UT CS acceptance. Not many brilliant top kids get UT CS either. So you’re blessed.
I actually think you lucked out. You are admitted to one of the best CS schools in the country that is cheaper and closer to home than any of those east coast and west coast options. UT Austin IS tuition is around 11k compared to 50k-65k tuition at the Ivys and around 44k at Cal.
I would look at these results as a blessing in disguise because the universe is guiding you towards the best ROI CS education for you from an objectively outstanding CS school.
Anecdotally, I agree with earlier posters that it is not atypical for CS. We had the exact same experience, although that may or may not make you feel better. UT Austin is so highly ranked for CS, congrats!
I am not going to read the thread since we are all going to say similar things lol. But you did great. All your hard work has you prepared for college. Yes, you will need that attitude to succeed at UT in CS so buckle up and enjoy the ride.
You can always do internships in the East if you still think you must. You can also try to get a job in the East if you still must.
Be an active participant on campus and separate yourself and stand out. Internships and jobs love active students on campus. Make a difference. Your going to be great.
You did great. Acceptance is something you have zero control over, and sometimes luck doesn’t happen your way. It’s kind of like dating. Love the one that loves you back! UT Austin is a top CS program and the most heavily recruited school in the state. You won’t have any problem finding a job. You have a bright future. Good luck!