<p>I really want to go to college in CA (I'm from the midwest) and so far have applied to USC and Cal Poly SLO. My intended major will be in computer science or engineering. I dont think USC is worth the debt I will accumulate and SLO seem sgreat but im looking for a more urban area and perhaps a more prestigeous campus. My stats are:
31 ACT
rank 4/300
3.9 GPA
few ECs</p>
<p>Where should I apply? BTW I'm pretty sure it's too late to apply at any UC</p>
<p>Stanford, Caltech, and Harvey Mudd are all more urban and arguably more prestigeous than the schools you have applied to, and they have have strong science/engineering programs.</p>
<p>If you are looking for an amazing AMAZING campus check out the University of San Diego....... its jaw-dropping</p>
<p>Do I need to take the SATs for HMC, Stanford, or USD? Im trying to find out because I haven't taken them.</p>
<p>Ok i found out USD needs either SAT or ACT so i'm good there. Between USD and HMC, which is probably better for engineering? Both campuses seem to be in good locations.</p>
<p>Harvey Mudd is probably stronger than USD in engineering. Stanford is very strong for enigerring.</p>
<p>stanford's app deadline was dec 15</p>
<p>caltech is in a more urban area...closer to LA; HMC is out in Claremont, 35 miles east of LA, and felt a bit isolated when I went to Scripps...but now they have a train into LA, so maybe that helps.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>i thougth HMC only accepts SAT, maybe i'm mistaken</p>
<p>HMC only accepts SAT. </p>
<p>And for Engineering in California...</p>
<p>Caltech/HMC>Stanford/Berkeley>everywhere else</p>
<p>Also Santa Clara.</p>
<p>What is Santa Clara? Univ. of Santa Clara?</p>
<p>That's correct.</p>
<p>Tuition and board is expensive. What are my chances of getting merit scholarships?</p>
<p>Your chances of being considered for the Presidential scholarship at USD are excellent. It is, if I recall correctly, half tuition. I think you'd also be considered for some merit at Santa Clara. (I'd give SCU the edge over USD for engineering by the way). You might get some merit at USC. At Cal Tech, Harvey Mudd and Stanford, chances for merit drop considerably (Stanford and HMC are need-only schools if I recall correctly) but you never know. Unfortunately, deadlines for those schools are looming quickly.</p>
<p>You may also want to go to the <a href="http://www.csumentor.edu%5B/url%5D">www.csumentor.edu</a> website and see which Cal States are still taking applications, and have the type of engineering program you're looking for. Cal Poly Pomona or San Jose State, for example, might be good back ups to SLO if you are thinking "California or bust." But there are some other Cal States still taking applications too.</p>
<p>One more suggestion: Go to <a href="http://www.tryengineering.org%5B/url%5D">www.tryengineering.org</a> and click on the university search link. They have a very useful search engine of ABET-accredited engineering programs, and you can limit your search to California, as well as specify some other things, such as size. The search engine will give you details about admissions rates and admissions stats, and that should help you figure out some good possibilities for merit money.</p>
<p>thanks for all the info. It seems Cal Poly SLO is a bit better than Pomona judging from the ACT scores, is this accurate? I'm really hoping USC works out and SLO is kind of my last option if i really want to go to CA. SO far i've got apps lined up for schools in CA, AZ, adn TX but I really would like to go to CA. Money is the big thing preventing me from going to CA. AZ is more affordable but it can be HOT there.</p>