Which schools should I be looking into.

[wannabecomputerscientist]

I have currently filled out applications for lots of schools and was wondering what levels of schools I should be looking at. I am an undergraduate senior at a unheard of midwestern school (low top 100 national universities).

Major: Computer Science and Mathematics

GPA: 3.92 CS: 4.0

GRE: 167Q, 161V, 4.0W

Research experiences:

• 2 REU summer research experiences
  
• Summer research at my home institution
  
• Various research projects (about 2) I participated in during the school year at my home institution
  

Publications: First and sole-author of paper published at International Conference (Information Science, Signal Processing, and their Applications (ISSPA)) don't know how reputable this conference is

Poster presentation at REU 1

Poster presentation at REU 2

Paper submitted recently as first author (out of 3).

LOR:

1.) Chair of department and Academic Advisor: Was my advisor on the recently submitted paper (he was third author) Excellent letter

2.) Research Advisor: Conducted research with him for three years - excellent letter

3.) REU 1) Good letter of recommendation (I think) top 50 CS school

4.) REU 2) Excellent letter of recommendation (he told me so) top 20 school general and top 10 in area I want to research

So my application is complete for a lot of applications, but I have not submitted. It was easy changing on application to apply to another and I have some across the boards. What I am wondering is: Is there a tighter range I should be applying to? I'm thinking of trying to apply to 10 schools. What should be good reaches, good matches, and safeties. Thank you for any advice and help; I appreciate it.

[fdhkjal]

You have a chance of getting into any school. I'm not sure of your desired area or I would be able to give better advice, but if it was me applying, I would choose 7-8 schools in the top 10, 1-2 schools in the top 25, and a school I knew I was gonna get into, such as one of the schools you did your REU at.

[wannabecomputerscientist]

Thank you, I think my plan was somewhat similar to that but a bit less (top-school) heavy. I am looking to apply for machine learning specifically and artificial intelligence in general.