I am looking for colleges to consider. I am a current high school senior and plan to major in Computer Science; I would like to go into the field of Cyber and Information Systems security. My current weighted GPA is 4.00. I received the following SAT scores: Math 630, Reading 670, Writing 520. I do plan to retake the SAT as well as take the Math II and Physics subject tests withing the next two months. I am involved in the following extracurricular activities:
Track, Freshman and Sophomore
Wrestling, Junior
3D Game design Vice President
Boy Scouts of America Star Scout, Life scout soon.
Boy Scout Patrol Leader 2011-2015
Piano 6 years
Guitar 5 years
Honorable Mention Pilot DC 2015
Cyber Security Internship Summer 2015
National Honor Society Junior and Senior(currently)
A-B honor roll 2011-present
Waiter at a deli type restaurant 2003-2014
I have taken or am enrolled int the following classes:
Algebra 1 HN
Geometry HN
Japanese 1
English 9 HN
World History/Geography 1 HN
Algebra 2 HN
Biology 1 HN
Japanese 2
Health & PE 9
Design and Technology
English 10 HN
World History/Geography 2 HN
Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry HN
Computer Science
Chemistry 1 HN
Japanese 3
Health & PE 10
English 11 HN
US VA History HN
AP Calculus AB (5 on the AP exam)
Physics 1 HN
Economics and Personal Finance
Piano LAB 2
Computer Technology Assistant
Network Administration 1 (Current)
Network Administration 2(Current)
AP Computer Science(Current)
AP Physics Calculus M&EM(Current)
English 12 HN(Current)
Government 12 HN (Current)
AP Calculus BC(Current)
Thank you for your assistance, if there is any other information you may need I will be happy to add it.
Home State is Virginia. Tentative number right now would be 90,000-100,000 dollars. However there is a lot of play in that number so I’d appreciate hearing all options even if they are outside the price range.
Looks like any VA public are likely to be within affordability, but some (e.g. UVA) may require some federal direct loans and/or work earnings to add to your parent contribution of $22,250 to $25,000 per year.
Thank you for your input. As I said before, for now let’s not focus too much on the financial aspect of things. I do recognize it is exceedingly important but circumstances are complicated and that number could fluctuate greatly. To keep things simple lets say for now that everything is within the price range.
How strong are you in math? When I see a Math score that is in the low 600s, that can mean that you might struggle with all the math req’d as a CS major.
What is the highest math level you’ve taken and what grades do you get in math?
edit…I see that you’re in Cal BC…how are you doing?
Looks like the OP took calculus AB last year and got a 5 on the AP exam. So it looks like the OP is capable of handling college level math, although the OP’s high school teaches it at a slower pace than it would be taught in college (a college calculus course would cover all of AB and BC in one year).
OP may also want to consider taking the ACT for another chance at a higher test score.
I got an A in AB with a 5 on the exam and have a B so far in BC. To be honest I’m and thoroughly disappointed in my SAT scores. I let the pressure get to me and had forgotten some past concepts that I had not used in a while.
Virginia Tech is pretty high on my list so far. I am a little concerned about my chances of admission into their engineering college. Do you habe any thoughts on the matter?
"Do you have any thoughts?’ Yes, engineering admissions at VT can be tricky. Your weakest spot seems to be your math SAT. If you do not get into engineering directly, you could start In university studies. There is a clear path from University Studies into engineering . Good luck!
“Are you going for computer science or engineering?” At VT, the computer science department is within the College of Engineering.
I’m in the process of trying to raise my math score. If I do not get in directly would you reccomend university studies or transfering from NOVA after 2 years?
ja61435, I am no expert in any of that. It depends somewhat on how much you want to get into a 4 year college environment from the beginning. From the link I posted, it looked like the business school also has some programs related to cybersecurity (information systems or business IT). Virginia does have good articulation agreements also from community college to Virginia Tech ( and other 4 year colleges).
George Mason is instate for you and has cyber security programs and computer science within the engineering school. It should be, in general, an easier admit than Virginia Tech engineering. But good programs, probably good employment opportunities since it is so close to DC.