WAITLISTED
OOS (Northern VA)
GPA: 4.16W, 3.9UW
SAT: 2210 (National Merit Finalist), Math II: 750, Physics: 720
Classes: 6 AP’s including Mutlivar Calc and Physics C (Mech and E&M)
EC: President of Robotics Club, Chinese Club and Photography Club, volunteering and NHS, summer internship at interior design firm, employed as web designer for electric bike store (not noted on application, didn’t see resume upload option)
Applied in late November for Mechanical Engineering with Golden Admission
Somewhat surprised I didn’t get accepted but perhaps I’m just not the right student for them. I did get accepted to Virginia Tech (In State) which is my top picks.
Accepted
Applied Mid December
SAT: 800 R, 700 M, 700 W (Total 2200)
GPA: 4.00
APs: Calc AB/BC, Computer Science A, English Language, Spanish Language, Chemistry, Physics C, Bio, US History, Macro, English Literature
Merit: 14 k/year (OOS)
Trivial question but has anyone who recently got in received an actual mailed acceptance letter? I received multiple financial aid info letters from them but have yet to get an actual packet in the mail that states my acceptance, though like many I found out through email initially.
@HSenior2016 the letter with the merit scholarship is what I think they consider the acceptance letter. In my D’s case it came with a three-fold brochure, and I think a decal. No big glossy folder full of information like some other colleges. Also, everyone keep an eye out for your financial aid letter. Our came today (Hawaii) and had the pleasant surprise of a small grant on top of the merit scholarship. Woohoo!
We were told last week that DS decision went out in the mail. It is now a week and half later and still no mail nor email. I don’t understand what is taking so long. He applied Mid-Nov we are OOS.
Waitlisted!
SAT I: 770 M, 620 CR, 560 W 1950 total
SAT II: 730 Math, 690 Physics, 650 Chem
ACT: 31 composite (34 in Math)
GPA: 3.8 W
Varsity track all four years. Eagle Scout. OOS (California)
Son applied in October, just got notified today. Don’t know if he’ll accept a position on the waitlist. He’s been accepted to San Jose State and UC Riverside so far, waiting on other schools.
Waitlisted.
-SAT: 2100 (640 CR, 750 M, 710 W), 2030 (610 CR, 800 M, 620 W)
-ACT: 34 (35 E, 34 M, 33 R, 32 S)
-GPA: 3.4 UW
-Practically zero EC’s
-OOS male, URM
-Applied in December, decision letter was received on 3/14
I’m actually pleasantly surprised, since my grades were truly horrid. Does anyone know what percentage of people are accepted off of the waitlist?
I was accepted to CSM (My First Choice) via the Mines Challenge Program for Summer 2016
ACT: 29
IB Program: Math Studies, IB Physics HL
GPA: 3.4 UW - 3.7 W
OOS Male
Although Mines is my first choice, I just can’t afford it (38K) a year probably according to the Net Price Calculator (with a 12K grant included). I really wish I could go! Nevertheless, if you’re in state, this is the place to go. Congratulations to all those accepted. I really regret not being able to attend! God always has a better plan though.
@miningengineer: There are always other paths that could help you afford Mines I would contact your counselor and state your situation, honestly. They may have some options for you. For example, you could attend the local CC that has a designed transfer program for Mines applicants. This is much cheaper and you could proceed to become a Colorado resident (probably take 1 year). On the other hand, if an Army ROTC scholarship is of interest to you, then you could apply for 2017 and ask the admission’s department to defer your 2016 enrollment for one year. An ROTC scholarship is how I afforded the OOS tuition. I understand your position and empathize. Good luck!
For all who are interested, I graduated from Mines in the early 90’s. I have been fairly surprised by the lack of information and misinformation that is available to applicants of Mines. This is a very important life decision for you whether you are a freshman applicant or applying as a transfer or graduate student. The admissions department at Mines is really great but woefully understaffed and they are getting swamped. I understand that this is not your problem but if you email your counselor, they will respond to you. Mines is a very competitive school and doesn’t work like many other schools in their decision process. The reason is that Mines is a first rate engineering school that acts like its an “engineering department” at any other large state university… This has a lot of benefits! (feels like a private school, eveyone’s in the same classes, very focused study, lots of personal interaction with the profs, etc) However, this can also be a detractor in the admissions process for Mines. Everything is based upon test scores, GPA, class rank and AP/IB classes. There is not much that is considered in terms of EC’s, community involvement or volunteering. At the end of the day, Mines has to peak your interest and be a fit for you. I have seen plenty of smart, talented, and wonderful people not make it. So, its best to go in knowing everything you can about Mines. You should visit the campus (if possible), interact with your admissions counselor and find a Mines alum to ask questions. I know that I am late to this process but if I can be of any help. I will look for posted comments and questions that I can be of some help with.
Thanks for your informative response and insight. I did actually contact both my admissions counselor and the Financial Aid office at Mines, telling them my situation. Unfortunately, I was given the message that funds at Mines are extremely limited, and so scholarships wouldn’t be available. The CC idea that you mentioned is very good, but being out of state, it doesn’t seem practical to move for a CC in another state - Nevertheless, you’re right in the sense that I could probably become a CO resident and it’ll pay off. The thing is that I am a Pre-Medical student, so community college credits aren’t always looked at favourably, and by the time I would start CSM after 2 years, I would be beginning my Testing and soon my application for Medical school. As for ROTC, I think that’s a great route for affording college, but I don’t think that I would be ready to commit to the Army for the time needed afterwards.
It may seem weird that as a Pre-Med student, I like CSM so much, but CSM has really great programs and rigour that would make me stand out of the crowd. Other than that, everything about Mines, from campus to community, just made it the right fit. Unfortunatley, I can only afford it if I got some scholarship to bring it down to 20,000 - which I wasn’t able to get from CSM
On a second note, I really appreciate you reaching out to help students out who are or will be applying. I could not find many resources like you, and its awesome to see an actual CSM alum! You are right that CSM has a great, although probably understaffed admissions office. I can say that they were the best ones I worked with for sure! I really would have liked CSM, but I will not be taking any loans for college, and something like 38-42K a year is just too much for an undergrad education.
Thanks though - Your input is much appreciated and I know it will help many students who just can’t seem to find information on CSM. Congratulations on all of your achievements by the way! Being a CSM grad is definitley something to brag about
@miningengineer I just want to commend you for your decision making in finances for college and also for your choice of pre-med with an engineering undergrad degree. Great combo! My son is also OOS and got accepted back in November and then found out his scholarship of $14K a year. When he got his FA award package in the mail, it included 2K in grant money since he is OOS but honestly, even with 16K, the 48K price tag is way too high. It is frustrating to get into such a highly regarded elite engineering school, only to have to decline due to the financial picture. He just emailed today to decline his spot so that hopefully those funds can go to another deserving student. Now just to get the deposit back…guess we will see how long that takes. Blessings to you as you Follow God’s path! - Mom to future Engineer
Good luck to you both. I hope that CSM begins to better value and support its acceptees financially in the future. CSM’s endowment is small and there is not the money available at this point to give support the way that they should. By the way, a few of my fellow Miners have studied engineering undergrad and then went on to med school. They claim that med school is a cakewalk compared to the rigors of an engineering program. Stay the course! Have either of you thought about the other School of Mines? South Dakota Mines is up and coming and OOS tuition is $14k.
I really appreciate your kind words. I empathize with your son completely, its a bit difficult to give up CSM after working so hard to get in . Kudos to your son though, getting into CSM is still and huge accomplishment, even if we can’t ultimately attend. You’re very right though, the remaining 32K price tag is just too high. I’m sure your son will find someplace better though, and I’m sure he’ll make a great Engineer for sure! Maybe he can even go to Grad school on Mines and get an RA or GRA/GTA position and get to achieve his dream of going to Mines for free for his M.S or Ph.D- I wish him and you only the best!
@'91Miner
Thanks for your wishes. I hope the same for CSM to better support its acceptees financially. The problem is that the State of Colorado (like many states) uses OOS students for revenue. I wish CSM offered an in-state tuition waiver though, as that would be ideal. Another awesome thing would be if there is a student going from CO to my state to attend College, and then we can just trade in-state tuition rates. Unfortunately, those are just fantasies though
You’re right though, CSM, in my opinion, would have made me very attractive to Med Schools. I’m sure it would have prepared me very well also. I have heard about South Dakota School of Mines, and the tuition you mentioned is very reasonable. I didn’t apply though, since it was not as reputable as CSM, and really, it wasn’t just the academics of CSM I liked, but the people, environment, campus, location, and everything else. I’m sure SDSM is a great school, but I liked CSM for the fit.
Nevertheless, I’m not to disappointed - I think it’s time to look forward now. I really appreciate your help and input, and thank you for your help on this forum.
