Hi everyone, I'm a junior planning on majoring in computer science, and I have a 3.85 GPA and 1460 SAT score. I'm hoping to apply to MIT, Stanford, and some Ivies, but I'm also considering UC Berkeley and UCLA. Am I setting my sights too high? Should I consider lower-ranked schools? Any advice is welcome!
It's great that you're thinking ahead and planning your college list! With a 3.85 GPA and a 1460 SAT score, you're definitely a strong candidate for many colleges. However, keep in mind that MIT, Stanford, and the Ivies are highly competitive, so it's important to have a mix of reach, target, and safety schools on your list.
UC Berkeley and UCLA are excellent options for computer science, but they can also be quite competitive—so it's a good idea to include a few more safety schools in your list. As for other target schools, consider ones that have renowned computer science programs and a slightly higher acceptance rate than those reaches, for example Purdue, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech.
Remember that finding the right fit is key, and your college list should include institutions with environments where you'd feel comfortable, supported, and challenged. Best of luck with your applications!
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