<p>I am an entering freshman at Duquesne University. The career that want to enter is computer/electrical engineering with a small background in robotics. The catch is, is that I want to work the music industry. There are companies such as Korg or Akai Professional that have hardware engineers for their synthesizers and controllers. I've hade a huge background in computer science, engineering, robotics, and programming, but I've also taken up music production as a hobby. I've always wanted to combine those intrest.</p>
<p>When I was applying to schools last year, I looked at Berklee College of Music in the Back Bay area. When I toured it, I fell in love with Boston. It had an amazing transportation system. I don't meet state vision requirements for driving, so every school that I apply to must have good public transportation. The Boston/Worcester area was perfect for that. Anyhow, I applied to Duquesne, among a few safety schools, because I knew three alumni who all wrote me good letters of rec. I then got denied from Berklee and enrolled in Duquesne. Not being my first choice, I already was dissatisfied. Duquesne is a good music technology school, so I auditioned and enrolled in their program. Later on in the summer, I received a syllabus. After reading it, I realized that Duquesne would not prepare me for the career that I wanted. I knew that I either had to transfer into a better program or at least change majors.</p>
<p>I changed majors to dual major in Physics and Engineering. However, Duquesne's idea of dual majoring means taking three years of Physics at Duq then three more years of Engineering at Pitt. I don't want to sit around for a six-year degree when I dual majored with physics on a whim. I also come from a highly competitive school with a highly competitive course load. Taking AP Physics Mechanics C, AP Physics E and M, and AP Biology senior year, I thought that I could receive some credit. However, in Duquesne program, if I decided to stay, I would be taking Mechanics in the first semester of my senior year. Mechanics is a level 1111 class. The physics that I am required to start in, even with AP credit is 211. Same with Calculus. I took AP Calc AB.</p>
<p>In short, Duquesne courses are almost remedial for me. I don't want to wait three years to take classes that I've already passed. I need a more competitive curriculum. Looking at WPI's terms, freshmen take Mechanics and E & M in one semester. WPI is far more competitive and the seven week terms where only three classes happen at a time is a better way for me to learn. Duquesne also has a Catholic religious affiliation, and they require me to take faith classes. I'm honestly disappointed in Duquesne even before my classes start. I'm taking 18 credits, and they all should be transferrable. I just want to enter a more competitive school before I lose too much time in remedial classes. I will still give Duquesne a shot, but there are so many things that irritate me. I don't think that Duquesne is a good match for me.</p>
<p>I'm looking into WPI and BU for January transfer admission and WPI, BU, CMU, Tufts, and Northeastern for Sophomore year admission if I don't make it this semester. Right now, the campus life, transportation, academics, and culture at WPI are easily making it my first choice. I would have applied, but I only found about it two months after the application deadline.</p>
<p>I feel like I am marketable, except for my SAT scores.
HS GPA:
Unweighted 3.8
Weighted: 4.75</p>
<p>SAT
Total 1860
560 Reading
680 Math
620 Writing</p>
<p>No ACT</p>
<p>I graduated in the top 10% of my class.
Cum Laude Society
National Honors Society</p>
<p>I had a lot of leadership positions in around 6 extracurriculars where I spent over 750 hours a year i percussion ensemble alone. Let me know if anymore information is needed. Also, with my SAT scores, do you recommend the FLEX path? I do have schematics and photos of robots that I have made for Odyssey of the Mind competitions. I'm planning on sending three letters of recommendation as well. What other schools are in the Boston area that are good for Robotics/Computer and Electrical
engineering?</p>