<p>Since engineering was your previous stated interest, it seems that you’re not all that sure about what you want to study. That’s actually rather typical, so I wouldn’t be concerned about it, but it does lead me to believe that you’d be best served at a large public university. There, you’d have access to many majors and (with a proper choice) exposure to many other internationals. As far as a pre-med major, there are lots of routes, but a typical one is to major in a science such as biology.</p>
<p>Combined with what you’ve stated in your other threads, I have the following suggestions for schools to consider, or conversely, rule out (knowing some will jump to the defense of certain schools):</p>
<p>1) On the “no” side of the ledger, Michigan is both too selective for your stats and too expensive. UIUC is also likely too selective and expensive (though not quite as bad as Michigan on either count). Georgia Tech might be possible if you raised your test scores, but is not as comprehensive a place as some other candidates (VERY strong in engineering; less so in other disciplines). UT-Austin seems good, but once again, you’d need to raise your test scores. Texas A&M, though, is not a place I’d generally recommend for internationals. Penn State is another good school, but again, its relative isolation means you have better choices (I don’t feel that sort of location is best for internationals). VA Tech I was a bit conflicted about - has quite a few small strikes against it (location, focus, international flavor) and nothing major to recommend it. Though still a good school, doesn’t seem right for you. Case Western would be a pretty good choice if engineering was your focus, but it’s not as broad as some of the choices below. RPI is even less broad.</p>
<p>2) Schools you like which I think are better fits include Purdue, primarily because it’s the best engineering school on your list which I think you have a good shot for admittance, and while the rest of the university isn’t at that level, you’d be OK with an education there (though location isn’t so hot - you’d have to be leaning heavily towards engineering to choose Purdue). Cal Poly-SLO is another place where you’d have to be leaning heavily towards engineering, and I only list it as a potential avenue to UC-Berkeley. SJSU is your other option to get a backdoor entrance to Cal, but here you’d be leaning AWAY from engineering (not as strong). Acceptance rates are also much better than Cal Poly-SLO. Arizona State is a place where you’d have access to an urban environment, lots of majors, relatively low cost, good chance for admittance, and great weather. Minnesota would be an excellent choice for you, but you’ll need better test scores. Finally, Minnesota State-Mankato (besides your family connection) would be a decent safety (admittance and financial) as well as a possible way into UMinn.</p>
<p>3) Finally, if (once again) you can raise your test scores, the two UWs (Washington and Wisconsin) would be excellent choices for an undecided international student. Not as cheap as Minnesota, but not as cold, either! Both great for pre-med or engineering.</p>