Ask YC: what non-top-tier college to apply for?

#1

Post by demaratus » Mon, Jun 23, 2008, 4:34 PM UTC

I'm a high-schooler and will be applying for colleges this fall. I've slacked a bit in high school (you know, working through SICP instead of doing homework), so my GPA is neither good nor bad (4.1), while my standardized tests are a little above average, but nothing extraordinary.

I'd love to go to someplace like MIT or Caltech but these are now unrealistic aspirations (for undergrad). I'd also love to go to a liberal arts college that does CS, like Harvey Mudd, but even if I was accepted I'm not sure I'd be able to afford it.

I know I can get an education anywhere, but I'd like to go to a school with interesting/intelligent people, or, at least, not be surrounded by apathy. Do you have any suggestions for schools I should shoot for?

Re: Ask YC: what non-top-tier college to apply for?

#2

Post by hunterjrj » Mon, Jun 23, 2008, 4:37 PM UTC

Have you considered the University of Waterloo? Its in Canada, but its highly regarded by companies like Google, Microsoft, etc. Tuition may be cheaper as well.

Re: Ask YC: what non-top-tier college to apply for?

#3

Post by iamdave » Mon, Jun 23, 2008, 4:39 PM UTC

Completely off base here, but um I think it's still relevant for anyone who ends up down in the dumps and just wants to go to school no matter what:

DO NOT GO TO ITT TECH.

Re: Ask YC: what non-top-tier college to apply for?

#4

Post by hunterjrj » Mon, Jun 23, 2008, 4:43 PM UTC

iamdave wrote: post #3

Completely off base here, but um I think it's still relevant for anyone who ends up down in the dumps and just wants to go to school no matter what: DO NOT GO TO ITT TECH.

Bad experience?

Re: Ask YC: what non-top-tier college to apply for?

#5

Post by demaratus » Mon, Jun 23, 2008, 4:44 PM UTC

iamdave wrote: post #3

Completely off base here, but um I think it's still relevant for anyone who ends up down in the dumps and just wants to go to school no matter what: DO NOT GO TO ITT TECH.

Everything I've heard about the college-spread-across-the-nation sort of schools is bad, so I'm avoiding them.

Re: Ask YC: what non-top-tier college to apply for?

#6

Post by Alex3917 » Mon, Jun 23, 2008, 4:49 PM UTC

A lot of schools have a guaranteed transfer program. For example anyone can get into one of the second tier Wisconsin schools just by applying, and then if you get above a 3.0 you can transfer into Madison.

Re: Ask YC: what non-top-tier college to apply for?

#7

Post by bcutler » Mon, Jun 23, 2008, 4:50 PM UTC

Try Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah. They've got a competitive (if not top-tier) CS program, fantastic library, beautiful campus, and tuition is 20% of what you'd pay at other private schools.

Warning: not a party school

Re: Ask YC: what non-top-tier college to apply for?

#8

Post by PStamatiou » Mon, Jun 23, 2008, 4:59 PM UTC

Try Georgia Tech, you might be surprised that it's not terribly hard to get into.

warning: not many girls here

Re: Ask YC: what non-top-tier college to apply for?

#9

Post by dangoldin » Mon, Jun 23, 2008, 5:03 PM UTC

You can take a look at Cornell. The grade criteria is not as struct as MIT/Caltech but the CS program is considered one of the best in the US.

Re: Ask YC: what non-top-tier college to apply for?

#10

Post by msg » Mon, Jun 23, 2008, 5:05 PM UTC

Public universities are not bad. I did my time in Univ of Washington and Utah State University, and I definitely feel like I got my money's worth.

A warning, though. UW's proximity to MS and the other tech companies made the department really exclusive for undergrads while I was there. I majored in something besides CS, then did my master's in CS later. You'll want to learn about what the department's standards are (eg, competitive admission for starters) so you know what you have to do to get in.

I recommend you email or call the department secretaries and ask for some information and a hookup with a current student. Assuming the secretary and the student are helpful, you'll learn a lot about what you need to know.

OT, apply for scholarships like crazy. Don't make my mistake.