Chance to get into Selective Engineering Schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>Long time lurker, first time poster here. I have a few questions regarding my chances of getting in to certain highly competitive colleges. I have researched quite a bit, and I understand that no algorithm can truly predict my chances, but I’d like to get a general consensus if it is feasible or not… So without further adieu, here’s some information about me:</p>

<p>➢ Junior currently (Graduate in 2014)
➢ 4.560/5.00 un-weighted GPA; 5.088 weighted
➢ ACT Score of 32 composite; retook and hoping to get a 34
o 34 Writing
o 33 Math
o 32 Reading
o 29 Science
o 8 Writing
➢ Interested in majoring in Mechanical Engineering
➢ Would prefer a smaller school
➢ Sampling of the classes I have/will be taking:
o Project Lead the Way IED/CIM/POE
o AP Calculus BC
o AP Statistics
o AP History (Human Geo, APUSH, World)
o AP Physics
o Honors Chem/Bio
o Always have taken AP/Honors Classes
➢ Been a part of the school’s BattleBots Program for 2 years; Led a team that built the first tank tread robot this year (85 lb weight class)
➢ Have been working since Sophmore year
o Worked for ~1 yr, 3 mo at a warehouse
o Recently got a job at an engineering firm to do CAD drafting
➢ Accepted into Rose-Hulman’s Operation Catapult and will be attending this summer
➢ Invitee to NHS, unfortunately did not have time to complete service hours due to working and robotics</p>

<p>However, here are my drawbacks that I can foresee hurting me…</p>

<p>➢ Mostly B’s in math class…
➢ B’s in Honors Physics </p>

<p>With that out of the way, these are the colleges that I’d really like to attend:</p>

<p>➢ California Institute of Technology
➢ Harvey Mudd College
➢ Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
➢ Cooper Union
➢ Frank W. Olin School of Engineering
➢ Michigan Technological University (as a backup)</p>

<p>If any more information is needed, please feel free to ask. I do realize that my GPA and current (read: to be improved) ACT score are not up to par for some of these colleges, however, some of the experiences that I’ve had (I believe) help my situation. Such things as mastering the use of engineering programs (Inventor/Mastercam X6) at school, teaching myself Solidworks for my current job designing Quality Control fixtures, designing a two-speed transmission for a high-mileage (400 mpg) car, etc. </p>

<p>I’m sincerely sorry if people here get tired of seeing these posts, but I would really appreciate feedback to my specific situation. I do realize that there is no clear-cut answer, as admissions depend on a lot of factors. However, I’d like the feedback from current applicants and/or alumni at any one of the programs above or other similar schools. And please excuse any spelling errors, as its been a long day with the ACT...</p>

<p>Thank you for your time!</p>

2

<p>Hello! You seem like you are a very good fit for some of those schools. I am also class of 2014. I also do robotics, am an eagle scout and get pwned by all extra curriculars. I also want to do engineering, and coincidently, at some of the same schools. I will give examples: My friend was very smart; smart enough to get into MIT. She did, but ultimately chose harvey mudd. It is a great school and is my #1 ahahah. Also, another friend goes to Olin and I can’t even begin on her stats because they are flawless. Those colleges you picked are all highly selective and you should look at more safety schools. However, I am sure you will get into a few of them, especially with that 34. I took it and sucked at science lol. Good luck!!!</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the positive response calpolylodream! Maybe I’ll see you at HMC! I have a few other safety schools in mind, namely MSOE. I’d really like to get away from the Mid-West, so if you know of any safety schools for me out west, please feel free to name them. I find it’s hard to come across smaller schools that aren’t very competitive… Maybe I just haven’t done enough research yet :)</p>

<p>Additionally, I do a lot of work on my car ('98 Wrangler) and work at my job with my hands occasionally (currently disassembling an automatic welding station). </p>

<p>Finally, for anyone wondering, here’s what I meant by BattleBots… This is the one I led a team on this year:

<a href=“http://imageshack.us/a/img16/59/dsc06498qi.jpg[/img]”>http://imageshack.us/a/img16/59/dsc06498qi.jpg

</a></p>

<p>EDIT: Okay, so, I was talking with some people earlier on about schools and someone mentioned Cal-Poly. Your username reminded me about it… Would this be a good fit for me (I want a small school, good engineering program?)? I’ll research it a little later, but generally what is the consensus about it?</p>