<p>OK so I want to do engineering. I got stellar SAT Subject Test Scores, 5s in APs and good academic record in science. But the problem is that I want to do engineering from a top bracket college like Princeton, Cornell, Penn, Michigan, Berkeley, Duke and so on. Unfortunately apart from test scores and academics, I have no Science ECs like Olympiads, Quizzes or Science Projects which can set me apart from millions of other kids who want to do engineering from a top school in the US. Also, I am an international student who needs more than 60% financial aid. As you can see my science strength is quite low as of now.
BUT, I have very good ECs in liberal arts like creative writing, debating, Model UN, journalism and social service. So tell me what should be the strategy to stand out and get an engineering degree with these kind of ECs? Should I do a dual major of engineering with some artsy subject like Eco Honors? How can I get into the university of my dreams?
Intelligent advice will be much appreciated and you can count on me to answer back your queries!!Thx so much guys!!</p>
<p>ahhhh come now guys don’t be stingy…give me your opinion…lol</p>
<p>your major is irrelevant in admissions.</p>
<p>Maybe learn some engineering? And then maybe apply it.</p>
<p>^^^When it comes to engineering, major is not irrelevant. At several of the schools listed (at least Cornell, Cal and UMichigan), the OP will be applying to the College of Engineering within the university. </p>
<p>I don’t have direct experience with Engineering, so I’m not sure if they would like a well rounded candidate who might think “outside the box” and stand out, or if they only go with applicants with strong engineering chops. </p>
<p>If you haven’t already, post this on the Engineering subforum as well.</p>
<p>I don’t know what Eco Honors means, but maybe it’s something along the lines of my idea. I’ve noticed there are more and more colleges/unis that are doing global outreach programs that involve the application of science and engineering to solve problems in developing countries. As a student who is apparently interested in politics, you could try presenting yourself as someone who understands/appreciates the broad political and economic picture - that you want to be an engineer who applies his skills to meeting social needs. You are international, so that might be another aspect that could add to the picture of an international problem-solver type of person. This might sound corny, but you might be able to offer the adcom at least a glimpse of someone who has great potential and will use his talents in a way that benefits the world.</p>
<p>Having worked around local governments a lot, I can vouch for the fact that bureaucracy performs pitifully without involvement of experts - particularly engineers - who can actually carry out policy initiatives. And often, those experts hang back because they don’t like politics. So, there’s a need for engineers who enjoy the policy aspects of what they’re doing - and a need for policy folks who actually understand science.</p>
<p>“am an international student who needs more than 60% financial aid.”</p>
<p>You need to go read the sticky thread on aid for international students in the Financial Aid forum. There is a direct link to that forum on the left side of this screen.</p>
<p>Lots of students who want to study engineering don’t have significant math/science ECs. If you’ve taken advantage of things that interest you in HS, and you have earned good grades in your math and science classes, you probably will be fine. But, do yourself a big favor, and find a nice financial safety school (probably in your home country) that you can apply to. With your financial need, every school in the US is a “reach”.</p>