Chance me? MIT, CMU, UPenn, UMichigan, Northwestern

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I am in the middle of the application process and would like to get a feel for my chances at several top tier schools for Mech Engineering.
Safety: UCinncinnati, UDayton, Kettering, RIT
Reach: Ohio State, Case Western
Stretch: MIT, CMU, UPenn, Northwestern, UMichigan

I am from Ohio and my parents will cover up to 30K per year, if needed. I’m trying to stay within 6hrs of home. (MIT is an exception) I am very interested in co-ops, so am leaning towards schools that offer this opportunity.
My stats:
GPA: 3.9 (all Honors, if available)
Class Rank: My school doesn’t provide rank
ACT: 35 composite (36 in Science)
SAT: N/A
SAT Subject: TBD (Scheduled Oct 5th) Math 2 & Physics
AP Completed (10,11): AP US History (4), AP Lit/Comp (3), AP Physics (5), AP Econ Micro (5), AP Econ Macro (5)
AP Current (12): AP Calculus, AP Physics C, AP Chem

My ECs are strong, I think. I prefer quality over quantity, so may not have the expansive list seen by others.

School:
Cross Country (9,10,11,12) - JV runner
FLL Robotics (3 - 8) Not related to HS, but shows commitment to STEM
FRC Robotics (9.10,11,12) - Pneumatics Lead (10,11), Fab team member
National Honor Society (11,12)
Math Club (9,10,11)
Table Top Gaming Club (11,12)
Choir/Theatre -

  1. Show Choir (9,10,11,12) - 1 of 48 singer/dancers in Tier 1 competitive choir, Soloist (11,12)
  2. Show Choir Lighting (10) - Led a project to design & mfg 4 programmable LED light display panels for competition backdrops.
  3. Theatre (10,11,12) - Stage crew (lighting/sound) & lead speaking roles on stage.
  4. Ohio Capitol Conference Honors Choir (12)

Community based:
Boy Scouts: 11 years, Eagle Scout, Many leadership positions (Patrol Lead, Senior Patrol Lead, and currently Troop Guide). Also completed National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT).
Church Activities: Youth group, Worship Team, Drama team
Service: Many opportunities through church, school and BSA. (* yearly participation)
Operation Christmas Child - Led a donation drive and packed boxes for OCC.
Environmental - Planned & executed construction & installation of blue bird houses for local neighborhoods.
Humane Society - Planned & executed construction of raised dog beds for local animal shelter. Held fundraiser to provide other needed supplies.
*Appalachian Service Project - Joined a team of HS students from OH, IL, KY & TX to help provide better living conditions to residents of Appalachia. Spent part of summer installing floors, drywall, painting, roof repair, etc.
*Garfield Human Development Project - Served as crew leader and drama lead for K-5 summer camp for inner city children
*Vacation Bible School - Crew leader for K-5, Drama, Videographer

2

First thing, thumbs up for Show Choir! My S19 was a 4 year show choir kid.
Next, did you mean to list Ohio St. and Case as reaches or matches? I think they are matches. Now for your stretch schools the other question is cost. Have you run the net price calculator for each to see if you will get need based aid? I know UMich doesn’t give any OOS and of your others listed I think MIT gives the most need based, but don’t know if it would be under $30K per year.

3

Agreed that you need to run the net price calculator for each school to see you can get the cost under $30K. Your stretch schools don’t give merit so it would all be need based aid.

If you are interested in co-oping, look at Northeastern (but again, run the NPC to be sure it’s affordable).

4

A 3.9/35/VG EC’s definitely puts in the running for UMich CoE. In order to turn a potential EA deferral into an acceptance is writing some great essays and showing in your answers that you want to be a Wolverine. Even visiting campus and demonstrating interest will help.

The OOS acceptance rate is about 19%, but CoE will be a bit more difficult. And while the average GPA for the entire class was 3.9, for the CoE, they’re probably closer to to 3.93+. In any case, you’re in the ball game! Good luck.

5

@sushiritto I agree he has a decent shot at acceptance, but 30K a year won’t cover half of the OOS costs.

6

@racereer I thought this as well, but I was corrected by a couple of knowledgable posters here on CC. Roughly 3 years ago, UMich began offering financial aid to OOS students. One poster from the Chicago area, @Knowsstuff said he had heard of OOS students receiving roughly $25,000-$30,000 of financial aid.

https://finaid.umich.edu/new-undergraduates/non-resident-students-and-financial-aid/

I don’t profess to be a financial aid expert, but originally, I was just attempting to give some guidance on the academic side only.

7

I just posted some engineering stats.

http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/2155743-engineering-admission-statistics-2018.html#latest

8

Interesting, I wonder if it shows when you run the net price calculator.