Are these schools reasonable with DS's stats?

[Anonymous]

DS wants to major in computer science or engineering. 1350 SAT, will graduate with 5 APs (math, science, foreign language), 3.8 weighted GPA (unweighted 3.5), extra curriculars include 1 varsity sport, one club, and a part time job he's had for years and where he works quite a few hours. We are still hoping he might get that GPA up before the end of the year, but he doesn't seem very motivated. Based on what I usually see on dcum, these stats aren't great, but is the list below reasonable? What should we add?

Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech
UT Austin
U Wisconsin
U Washington Seattle
U Maryland
Ohio State
University of Florida Gainesville
Boston U

[Anonymous]

Not a single one is likely. All heavy reaches for computer science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS wants to major in computer science or engineering. 1350 SAT, will graduate with 5 APs (math, science, foreign language), 3.8 weighted GPA (unweighted 3.5), extra curriculars include 1 varsity sport, one club, and a part time job he's had for years and where he works quite a few hours. We are still hoping he might get that GPA up before the end of the year, but he doesn't seem very motivated. Based on what I usually see on dcum, these stats aren't great, but is the list below reasonable? What should we add?

Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech
UT Austin
U Wisconsin
U Washington Seattle
U Maryland
Ohio State
University of Florida Gainesville
Boston U

The local ones, probably not. I would consider UMBC. It's a really good school for computer science and is easier to get into. Also, you don't need to major in computer science to do computer work. Look at specific programs each school is offering. With AI and a glut of computer science majors, it's harder to break into the field. Whatever you do, make sure your DS can speak to people. That is one of things that many computer science and engineers are missing.

[Anonymous]

That's a tough list. A few are out of the question (Georgia Tech, UT Austin, Maryland).

Ohio State is the only one that I think is a good shot.

He needs way more safeties, and I would only keep a few of these as reaches.

[Anonymous]

Public or private HS?

In Virginia or Maryland?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Public or private HS?

In Virginia or Maryland?

Large public in VA. His sport might help him with a couple schools on the list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS wants to major in computer science or engineering. 1350 SAT, will graduate with 5 APs (math, science, foreign language), 3.8 weighted GPA (unweighted 3.5), extra curriculars include 1 varsity sport, one club, and a part time job he's had for years and where he works quite a few hours. We are still hoping he might get that GPA up before the end of the year, but he doesn't seem very motivated. Based on what I usually see on dcum, these stats aren't great, but is the list below reasonable? What should we add?

Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech
UT Austin
U Wisconsin
U Washington Seattle
U Maryland
Ohio State
University of Florida Gainesville
Boston U

Your DS has a zero chance of getting into these schools with those stats. Sorry, OP. You need to really shift the search down a tier or even two tiers.

[Anonymous]

I'd say GT not to waste your time and effort for either of those majors.

UMD if you are applying from Moco prob not looking good. Another county? I'd say unless HoCo or AACo maybe? depends on where your student stands in relation to others and how many kids they typically take.

Wisconsin has a premier engineering program too.

I can't really speak to the others because neither of my kids applied there.

[Anonymous]

Find a rolling choice. Get all application materials IN in September and have, at least, one decision early in the process

[Anonymous]

Not with a 3.5 UW. Every one of them is a reach. You need to go another tier down targets.

[Anonymous]

Admit rate for OOS at University of Washington for computer science is 2%… so scratch that one off the list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's a tough list. A few are out of the question (Georgia Tech, UT Austin, Maryland).

Ohio State is the only one that I think is a good shot.

He needs way more safeties, and I would only keep a few of these as reaches.

I didn't include the safeties on the list, but we have GMU and JMU, and I'm pretty sure he could get into at least one of those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not with a 3.5 UW. Every one of them is a reach. You need to go another tier down targets.

What do you think it needs to be to make him a better candidate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a single one is likely. All heavy reaches for computer science.

+1 Start over.

[Anonymous]

While SAT is okay in general, it isn't for engineering. What is his math component?
I would scrap that list and focus on a solid tier down - look at U of South Carolina, U of Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, if you don't like the South find those equivalents up north.
I advise looking at the scattergrams on Naviance or whatever your school has, which will show his GPA in relation to his peers. I think this will be very enlightening - and whatever you see, it will be harder for an engineering student.