Chances - Bucknell, Carnegie Mellon, Lehigh, Lafayette

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a rising senior, and I have decided that it would be a good time to see what others think of my college choices.</p>

<p>White Male from rural area in central PA
normal public school
I've been interested in engineering for awhile especially civil,chemical, and environmental engineering. </p>

<p>STATS
SAT - 1930 (best combined)
- 700:M, 610:CR, 560:W (January 06)
- 760:M, 580:CR, 560:W (May 06)
I will be taking one more time next year to raise CR and writing after doing some practice this summer. I had little time to practice between my first and second SAT, so I'm hoping practice will have a large effect.
SAT II - Took MathIIC in June and predicting 700-760. Should I consider retaking because of my projected major? As for other SAT II's, I will be taking US History and a science (Chem or Bio haven't decided yet)
GPA - 96.9: 4th/236
All college prep classes freshman year (97.3 Average)
Sophomore Year - Geometry Honors:94, USH Honors:93, CP English:94, Biology:Honors:92
Junior Year - Chemistry Honors:95, USH II Honors:93, Pre-Calc Honors:93, English 11 Honors:87, Probability/Statistics:95
Programming, Spanish and other electives each year, but not too important.
Unfortunately, not too many impressive classes are available at my school. I'm not sure how this is viewed by colleges.
Senior Year Schedule - AP Calculus, Civics Honors, Biology II Honors, CP Physics (Couldn't fit honors in schedule), and Programming V Honors</p>

<p>Awards/Extracurriculars
Soccer since I was six. Club team year round for past 6 years. Varsity team sophomore year and starter as junior. Led team in scoring junior year. This coming year will decide if I may be able play in college (D2 or D3).
Track(9-12) is also close to college standards. I run the 800m (2:04) and 400m(0:54) Although these times are not college level, I've been training daily (1-2 hours) since the start of the '06 season in order to help team get 4x800 school record. I feel I can easily get down to 2:00 in the 800m, but obviously by next track season I will already have applied to colleges.
2nd place in school science fair and 1st place in zoology at area sceince fair. I'm hoping to do an engineering related project this summer to show my passion for that area.
Clubs - Varsity Club (11th) (some community service, but nothing big), Programming Club(11th) (we went to one competition this year).
I've been planning my own project for the local state park where I will be restoring many native plants and trees. At this point I have completed the planning after doing research this year and working with some people in that profession and am going through the grant process. Planting will start next spring.</p>

<p>I think that is everything, well here is my list of schools:
Bucknell, Carnegie Mellon, Swarthmore, Lafayette, Lehigh, Penn State, Pittsburgh.
I'm also considering Johns Hopkins, Villanova, Case Western, Rensselaer, and Notre Dame, but I've been leaning away from them lately.</p>

<p>What do you guys think my chances are at these schools? Should I consider any other schools? Will sports help at Division 3 schools such as Carnegie Mellon and Swarthmore?</p>

<p>Thank you in advance for your help.</p>

2

<p>Here are some 2005 statistics to help you rate your chances:
i've tried to put the schools in order--top to bottom (although they are all good ones)</p>

<p>Swarthmore--GPA around 3.7 UW, SAT 1430 (old)--719CR/711M
Notre Dame--GPA around 3.7 UW, SAT 1369 (old)--676CR/693M
John Hopkins--GPA 3.67 UW, SAT 1386 (old)--680CR/706M
Carnegie-Mellon--GPA 3.6 UW, SAT 1375 (old)--657CR/718M
Lehigh--approx. GPA 3.65 UW, SAT 1302 (old)--631CR/671M
Case Western--GPA 3.57 UW, SAT 1386 (old)--640CR/670M
Rensselaer--GPA 3.5 UW, SAT 1320 (old)--633CR/687M
Penn State--GPA 3.56 UW, SAT 1210 (old)--593CR/617M (PSU is GPA driven)
Bucknell--approx GPA 3.5 UW, SAT 1302 (old)--636CR/666M
Lafayette--GPA 3.8 W (probably 3.47 UW), SAT 1285 (old)--620CR/665M
Pittsburgh--GPA 3.42 UW, SAT 1231 (old)--610CR/621M
Villanova--GPA 3.67 W (probably 3.35 UW, SAT 1238 (old)--605CR/633M</p>

<p>Your GPA is about 3.87 to 3.91 Your SAT is 1370 (old)-610CR/760M, so the statistics match or beat everyplace but Swarthmore. The ECs are good, and you might play a sport at college (except at Notre Dame, Penn State, and Pittsburgh). </p>

<p>So the top three you may or may not get into. But you have a good shot at Notre Dame and John Hopkins, and a slightly lesser chance at Swarthmore.</p>

<p>Carnegie Mellon's profile most closely matches yours. And at Carnegie Mellon and every school listed below that school, you are at least a match. I would rank Pittsburgh and Villanova as safety/safe matches for you.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the information. I forgot to mention that I will need a lot of financial help. My families income is less than $30,000. Which schools may be a little generous with the financial aid and at which schools may I have a chance for some merit money?</p>

4

<p>I don't think Swarthmore matches your profile. It's very intellectual, the average verbal scores are very high whereas your math is your strong point. It doesn fit in with your list. I think JHU, CMU and Notre Dame are all match or reach/ match given your rural location and your high class rank. Lehigh is a match too, Lafayette a match/safety and the rest safeties.</p>

<p>If you're looking for a reach maybe Cornell.</p>

<p>Case is known for giving good merit aid. Penn State would be a good in state choice for the price, although I don't think they're known for giving much aid.</p>

5

<p>Try for the honors college at PSU. Your numbers are on the borderline but you might make it and it comes with a $3500 scholarship. Take time on the app and write good essays - they count! There are also departmental scholarships available but you would need to bring up your SAT numbers to qualify. Engineering is an excellent program at PSU. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>The reason I had Swarthmore on my list was their D3 status where I may be able to continue sports, and their good engineering program. It seems like a great school, but I have not done too much research on them.<br>
I have looked into Penn State's honor college and found that it would be a great place with PSUs engineering and smaller class sizes compared to the main campus. If I did get in at the honors college with the scholarship, than I would have to consider it with my other top choices.</p>

<p>I know it is hard to predict, but about how much less financial aid should I expect from PSU compared to other private schools such as CMU, Lehigh, etc.?</p>

7

<p>wow, it's scary. you are me but the male form.</p>

<p>I would say Carnegie because
1) close
2) GREAT engineering</p>

<p>why not?
really expensive but i think with your parents income, you can get a lot of help with that.</p>

<p>also for good engineering and wih you stats, try U of Mich. they are big on athletics and academics</p>

<p>btw, nice 800 time. instead of soccer, i run cross for the fall season and distance track ;)</p>

8

<p>CMU does seem like a good fit. I have family in Pittsburgh near the the CMU campus, so I'm sure I will learn a lot about CMU when I visit the campus with them. </p>

<p>Thanks for the compliment, but my 800 improvement this year was not what I was expecting. I ran 2:04 split sophomore year, and best time this year was 2:04. Lower D1 schools like Bucknell, Lehigh, and Lafayette usually run atleast 1:58 in competitions and D3 (CMU, JHU, Case) look for atleast 2:02. I'm doing more lifting and running now in the off season to help both soccer and track. </p>

<p>It would be nice to continue either sport into college, but of course, the level of education is more important.</p>

9

<p>first, i dont really understand the 'order' in which calcruzer put the schools you are considering, but thats somewhat beside the point.</p>

<p>your list represents a pretty diverse range of schools, which is probably a good thing at this point. however, over the next several months make a point of being honest about what kind of college experience interests you most. a tech school like rpi has a different overall atmosphere than a large lac like bucknell and both are very different than penn state, honors college or not. all three schools have 'techie' populations, however, if thats what you like.</p>

<p>you may also want to seriously consider your choice to possibly run or play soccer in college. its a very large commitment, even at the d3 level, especially for an engineering student.</p>

<p>although i do disagree with calcruzer on his rankings (and with his somewhat strange numbers), i do more or less agree with his reach/match/safety analyses, though i would put cmu into the 'slight reach' category, consider jhu a legitimate 'reach' and add penn state to the 'safeties' pile.</p>

<p>some financial things to consider:</p>

<p>application fee waivers are available and would allow you to apply to more than six schools without spending too much money, something that might be very valuable if youre trying to get a fantastic financial aid offer;</p>

<p>most of the private schools on your list provide good fnancial aid packages. your efc should be quite low and even a merit award at a school like bucknell or lafayette could cut out not only your parents contribution, but your work study and federal loans as well. in other words, theres a chance one of these places could be free.</p>

<p>also, and just because i found this ironic, your three engineering interests are bucknells three strongest. its chemical engineering majors in the class of 2005 had starting salaries an average of $5000 higher than mits. mit did win the civil/environmental battle, though... by $2000.</p>

10

<p>I have found it hard to decide which type of surrounding I want in a college. As for area, I've always lived in a rural location, so it's what I'm used to, but I've always liked going to cities and more populated areas although I never stayed there for any extended period of time. Hopefully, the visits clear this up a little. </p>

<p>I do want a school where I can choose some of my classes. I don't think I would like having nearly all my classes laid out for me depending on my major.</p>

<p>I would like a moderately even male-female ratio, but that isn't a problem except for RPI and CMU (but has other surrounding colleges).</p>

<p>To clear things up, my top choices (in no particular order) are:
CMU, Bucknell, Lehigh, and Lafayette</p>

<p>I did not include Notre Dame, JHU, Case, and PSU b/c of some uncertainties.<br>
Notre Dame is quite far and will take some convincing for my family to visit.<br>
The one time I went to Baltimore I did not like the city too much. I'm waiting until after the visit to decide on JHU.<br>
Case Western is also in the city and want to get a feel for the campus before I decide on applying.
I'm sort of put off by the huge size of PSU, but it is a great engineering school that may be on the cheaper side and close to home.</p>

<p>The other schools I have on my complete list (Pitt, Villanova, RPI) are there incase I didn't get enough money from other schools.</p>

<p>I'm uncertain about city areas, but it really depends on the specific area. I don't really mind Pittsburgh b/c I know the city a little. CMU is also in a nicer area. Before I decide on these other urban area schools, I'm going to make visits and do more research on them, and Notre Dame will probably be near the top of my list if I can arrange a visit.</p>

<p>I have noticed that Bucknell is strong in my interests and it is only about an hour from home. It was #1 on my list for awhile, but I want to also consider other good engineering schools that may have better aspects.</p>

11

<p>Just a few notes on Lehigh and PSU since my son looked at both and knows eng students in both environments.
Lehigh - we really liked Lehigh but my son was less impressed. The frat scene was a bit overwhelming and he found Bethlehem depressing (it's an old steel town and it is a bit shabby). We were told that there were some saftey issues there but most students are OK if they are careful. On the plus side, the Eng school is excellent, the size seems just right, and the campus is quite beautiful (although very hilly). The students were friendly and we met some really nice professors - it had a community feel to it. My son got VERY good merit aid there.
PSU. We thought we would hate it - pictured a crowded industrial looking campus in the middle of cornfields. Many at my son's high school won't even look at it (prefer more expensive privates) and it's viewed as a safety for most students. So, we went and were surprised at how nice it was. Very pretty campus, didn't seem too crowded, excellent programs (top 20) in eng and business. The honors college gave my son a lot of attention, including individual interviews and tours. He loved the college town surrounding the campus - he's not an urban kid but loves the ideas of lots of restaurants and stores in the area. The honors dorms are centrally located and very nice. The students are very friendly and quite accomplished. So, PSU honors was his choice over Lehigh, Wake Forest and Richmond. He just signed up for his classes - four of them will have under 25 students and one is in a lecture hall. The students get priority registration - a huge advantage. He plans to take quite a few honors courses (3 or so) each semester- and there's lots to choose from. We hope he likes it when he gets there. His friend's brother is in the eng program at SHC and raves about it - chose it over Bucknell and is happy he did. So, check it out and keep an open mind. Good luck with your search!</p>

12

<p>Engineering and distance running at Bucknell are awesome.Bucknell has won the President's Cup (given to best overall athletic school) about thirteen of the sixteen years it's been awarded in the Patriot League.As you know,the campus is beautiful and in a very safe town.If you get into the engineering school there and make the track/xc teams,you will be one extremely hard working,but happy,student.I know some of Bucknell's most successful runners were also engineering students-both take discipline and hard work.</p>