<p>Current stats are: GPA 4.3, was ranked 14th out of 461 1st quarter of jr year (grades/rank come out next week for 2nd quarter- should go up). PSAT 202- 63 in reading, 71 math, 68 writing. He took SAT’s last week and said he feels confident he could have perfect score in math…results I think will be back in about 2 weeks or so? EC’s are so far 9 yrs piano, 3 yrs jazz band (guitar), 2yrs tennis, founded graphic design club at high school, robotics and choir this year. Will be eligible for NHS next year (enough volunteer hrs but lacking in leadership).</p>
<p>With those stats he should easily be able to find full tuition, at minimum, scholarships at any number of colleges around the country. You need to have him narrow down what size school and what setting he wants and look from there. Don’t focus on the major so much as you have learned that can change daily. Someone posted earlier that Alabama would be a net cost of about $6000/year for him. There are a lot of schools out there where your net cost can be $10,000/year or less, before any loans.</p>
<p>Okay, changing my answer to Lehigh and Lafayette. Lehigh provides excellent aid and is known for their STEM programs.</p>
<p>I would also investigate colleges that meet 100% of need–not just those on the “list” but there are over 300 schools if you search various sites that will meet need. Yes, some of that need is in the form of federal loans but it’s sure better than not going to school.</p>
<p>here is a link to a great site for researching STEM careers:</p>
<p>[Career</a> Cornerstone Center: Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine](<a href=“http://www.careercornerstone.org/index.htm]Career”>Career Cornerstone Center: Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine)</p>
<p>I would start with picking schools based on where he would like to go, then checking the EFC calculator for costs, as well as checking into scholarships available. Then, talk with someone in the financial aid at top choice schools. Explain the situation with your daughter and see how they would handle that kind of special circumstance (they cannot give you definitive answers but will talk in general). I am assuming lifetime benefits are not adequate for support, and that you as parents are planning for needed expenses to support her for as long as you are around.</p>
<p>The CSS Profile has a section for special circumstances, but many schools have, in addition to that, a form for special circumstances and/or welcome letters of special circumstances. They really do try to work with you.</p>
<p>Naturally, he probably shouldn’t reject CS because of one teacher. Any way he could try some classes this summer in CS? Or any other field, whether engineering or accounting, that he might want to go into. </p>
<p>I second what someone said about looking at schools where he can start off doing classes for any of these directions, and choose a little further into the program.</p>
<p>Has he considered Tufts? Just a thought.</p>
<p>Lehigh, they should meet your need and if your EFC is $14,000 and you can afford that. Should definitely be worth a look. Could do engineering, comp sci, business or math. Also Lafayette, Bucknell. Bucknell says they meet need but we found Lehigh to be more generous. Could look at Carnegie Mellon but they will only meet need if you do ED. They will do a early look at FA so I think you could be pretty sure of what your FA package will be. I would look at Pittsburgh, they have merit aid but I hear its getting hard.</p>
<p>Another place to look is Case Western, they have good merit aid but if he can get into a school that meets need I think you will find they will have better FA IF your EFC is $14,000. </p>
<p>In your case, I would apply to more rather than less schools and see where they fall. I would also look at Cornell, if he can get in the FA should be excellent.</p>
<p>My daughter considered most of the schools mentioned here. SHe had it narrowed down to carnegie Mellon, tufts and lehigh. Carnegie mellon was very upfront about it being nearly impossible for engineering major to take classes outside of their major. Tufts and lehigh were the only two that said it could be done however lehigh will let someone combine an engineering major with another field of study and is supportive and encouraging It was the most appealing aspect. Tufts and lehigh have similar campuses, similar towns surrounding campus, etc. I have heard tufts is very generous with aid and likes student to show a huge amount of interest in the school. In the end, she chose lehigh and I will say they were very very generous.</p>
<p>
Oh no. You’ve almost certainly learned a lot already. What I learned from visits from my first son? He really, really, really didn’t care about the campus, all he cared about was the quality of the computer program. From my younger son we learned that he did not want a rural campus, he did not want colleges whose campus looked like downtown office buildings. He really did want something “bigger than his high school” which eliminated just about all LACs. And eventually (late spring junior year) he realized that International Relations, might be a major that really jived with his interests. Once we’d figured out that, we could look at colleges that were particularly strong in that area and met all the other requirements too. Your son probably already has some feelings about what he likes or doesn’t like in a college.</p>
<p>I wasn’t sure if I should start a new thread or continue with this one. Again, I appreciate all of the helpful comments as we sort through this process.</p>
<p>SATs are back: CR: 610 M: 770 W: 700 Will retake in May.</p>
<p>So far RIT and RPI are still on the list even though tech type schools, DS seems to think there is enough variety in his general areas of interest to account for his lack of clarity regarding a major. We need more options b/c even though they provide aide, we need other options that are sure financial safeties.</p>
<p>We are planning a spring break trip and looking for some more ideas. We are thinking Northeastern in Boston but I’m wondering if we should visit Case Western. Unfortunately it has to be an either/or before applying. We can’t afford the time/expense to do both and need to choose. Part of me thinks we should visit Case b/c in his mind, he ‘likes Boston’ and would not otherwise really consider Ohio.</p>
<p>Pitt and Penn State are also on the list as well as Lehigh. Not sure if they will be a good fit but will check them out. </p>
<p>Unfortunately I cannot get DS to consider U of Alabama or any of the schools from the ‘automatic full tuition’ thread b/c they are all in the midwest and/or south. DS likes cold and wants to be near skiing, so I’ve been watching that other thread in regards to that as well. </p>
<p>Are the any other school suggestions? Needs to have engineering majors (not clear on which one, but at least have as an option) and math is still a consideration but does not want to rule out engineering. Prefers a collaborative environment as well. We would also need significant merit aid/scholarships so his scores need to stand out, but not so much that he’s not challenged. </p>
<p>Thanks in advance for your responses!</p>
<p>Colorado School of Mines if he wants skiing. </p>
<p>Most of the midwest is cold and has skiing options as well. He also has to realize that with an engineering major, there won’t be much time to ski.</p>
<p>My S15 sounds similar (engineering + art/music). We are just starting his search but here are some schools that we’ve compiled: Lehigh, Bucknell, Swarthmore (one of few liberal arts with 4 yr engineering), CMU, Case, URoch and RPI, WUSTL, and USC and Harvey Mudd on the West Coast. Also, Brown’s combined progam with RISD is very appealing but a long shot for anyone (i.e 60 spots)</p>
<p>pamomofthree, Alfred University could be a great financial safety for your son:</p>
<p>Alfred University (NY) established in 1836 as a co-ed university. A regional university, 2,300 undergrads, small classes-know your professors, Division III athletics, merit aid, need based aid, co-op, Honors program, housing all 4 years, services for students with disabilities, many clubs & organizations, no greek life, friendly people in village of Alfred, NY. Alfred State SUNY is across the street from Alfred University.</p>
<p>At peak break times, shuttles go to and from Rochester airport.
At peak break times, bus service goes to NYC from Alfred. </p>
<p>School of Art & Design
School of Liberal Arts
School of Business
School of Engineering</p>
<p>Princeton Review Best Northeastern Colleges
Princeton Review Best Business Schools
USNWR’s Best Value
Washington Monthly’s Best Master Degree Institutions
Fiske Guide 2013 Best Buy
Princeton Review’s Best 377
Fiske Guide 2013
USNWR’s Great School Great Price
Fiske Small Schools Strong in Engineering
Fiske Small School Strong in Art & Design </p>
<p>[Alfred</a> University - Inamori School of Engineering](<a href=“http://engineering.alfred.edu/]Alfred”>http://engineering.alfred.edu/) Engineering </p>
<p>Majors:
Biomaterials Engineering
Ceramic Engineering
Glass Engineering Science
Mechanical Engineering
Materials Science & Engineering
Renewable Energy Engineering
Undecided Option</p>
<p>Minors:
Biomaterials
Glass Science and Technology
Materials Science
Mechanical Engineering
Renewable Energy Engineering</p>
<p>[Alfred</a> University - Inamori School of Engineering - Co-Op Education](<a href=“http://engineering.alfred.edu/undergrad/coop.cfm]Alfred”>http://engineering.alfred.edu/undergrad/coop.cfm) Co-op</p>
<p>[Alfred</a> University - Inamori School of Engineering - Co-Op Education](<a href=“http://engineering.alfred.edu/undergrad/coop.cfm]Alfred”>http://engineering.alfred.edu/undergrad/coop.cfm) Undergrad Research </p>
<p>[Alfred</a> University : Honors Program](<a href=“http://www.alfred.edu/honors/]Alfred”>http://www.alfred.edu/honors/) Honors Program </p>
<p>[Alfred</a> University - Inamori School of Engineering - ABET Accreditation](<a href=“http://engineering.alfred.edu/about/abet.cfm]Alfred”>http://engineering.alfred.edu/about/abet.cfm) ABET </p>
<p>[Alfred</a> University : Financial Aid : Undergraduate Freshmen Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.alfred.edu/finaid/scholarships/]Alfred”>http://www.alfred.edu/finaid/scholarships/) Merit Aid Incoming Freshman </p>
<p>[Alfred</a> University : Undergraduate Cost of Attendance](<a href=“http://www.alfred.edu/finaid/undergraduate_cost.cfm]Alfred”>http://www.alfred.edu/finaid/undergraduate_cost.cfm) Cost of Attendance '13-'14</p>
<p>Alfred University Presidential Scholarship:
Mechanical & Undecided Engineering, $11,500/year, Private Programs
Cost of Attendance for 2013-2014: $34,142 (Tuition, Room & Board)
Net Price after Merit from Presidential Scholarship: $22,642 </p>
<p>Alfred University Presidential Scholarship:
Biomedical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Glass Engineering Science, Materials Science and Engineering: $11,500/year, NYS Programs
Cost of Attendance for 2013-2014: $34,142 (Tuition, Room & Board)
Net Price after Merit from Presidential Scholarship: $22,642 </p>
<p>Net Price above based on merit aid only. </p>
<p>Best of luck in your S’s college search! :)</p>
<p>For a safety you could look at UNH - my niece graduated 3rd in her class, but after rejections from Harvard and Columbia ended up there and was really very happy there. She graduated last year and is gainfully employed.</p>
<p>[Alfred</a> University - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - Performing Arts - Major and Minors - Music](<a href=“http://las.alfred.edu/performing-arts/music/]Alfred”>http://las.alfred.edu/performing-arts/music/) </p>
<p>Here is link about Performing Arts at Alfred University, the facility was built recently.
I believe you said your S played the piano.</p>
<p>I would give St. Olaf a glance. While they don’t have “engineering” officially, they do have many majors that are similar as well as cooperative agreements with other schools that do offer engineering. </p>
<p>For the skiing aspect:</p>
<p>[Minnesota</a> Downhill Ski Areas](<a href=“http://twin-cities.com/ski/]Minnesota”>世界有名なブランドコピー商品激安通販) -6 options within an hour of St. Olaf, 2 of the biggest less then 30 minutes away</p>
<p>They also have Alpine and Nordic skiing on the DIII level and are ranked 2nd nationally in Alpine.</p>
<p>Why are you knocking UofR off your list? My son thought he wanted engineering, but he wasn’t really sure so we wanted a college that he could EASILY change into or out of majors. Univ of Rochester ended up being ideal. He took his first class and realized engineering was not what he wanted, but he absolutely did love math. So he’s now a math major with a music minor and contemplating grad school someday in computer science.</p>
<p>It’s a very flexible school with lots of options to try different things, double major, lots of room for minors, etc. Check out their curriculum of clusters and freedom of choice.</p>
<p>I would agree about exploring dual degree, minors and interdisciplinary options at the schools you look at. </p>
<p>One thing to note about Northeastern (one of the only schools in the northeast that I am even somewhat familiar with since it was the only school outside of the Midwest that DS looked at and ending up attending): While it continues to remain committed to experiential learning which is required of all students, during the past few years it has been evolving and looks a lot more like a traditional 4-year university; co-ops have become optional and are not required for graduation for many majors, and experiential learning requirements can also be met through research, traditional internships, service opportunities, study abroad, etc., and more and more students, including co-op students, are also choosing 4-year graduation routes rather than the 5-year/3 co-op path that was more common in the past. With respect to Northeasterns computer science program, it is one of the oldest programs in the country and Northeastern offers many dual degree options. From their CSIS page:</p>
<p>
[Welcome</a> :: Northeastern UniversityNortheastern University](<a href=“http://www.ccs.neu.edu/undergraduate/welcome/]Welcome”>http://www.ccs.neu.edu/undergraduate/welcome/)</p>