<p>I'm a high school senior looking into engineering programs. I feel pretty lost because it seems like I dont have too many options. So I'm here to ask for any suggestions for colleges. </p>
<p>Desirable Attribtues:
Big School (7-8000+)
High quality engineering program
Lower cost is of course prefereable</p>
<p>But at the same time, I appreciate any suggestions even if it isn't a perfect match. Some suggestions for safety schools would be nice too. </p>
<p>Current List:
U of I UC
Carnegie Mellon
USC</p>
<p>Stats:
35 ACT (35E, 36M, 34R, 33S, 9W)
3.92/4.00 Unweighted GPA
4.99/5.33 Weighted GPA
No Class Rank Reported
800 on Math II SAT II and Physics
3 AP Classes in progress, Spanish, Calc BC, Physics C
Without going into too much detail, my extra curricular are, by my own gauge, above average.</p>
<p>Wow, you have great stats. The schools you list are all fine engineering schools.</p>
<p>Is there a particular engineering field of interest (electrical, mechanical, civil, etc.)? Is Illinois your home state? Do you know your EFC and what your family can actually afford to pay per year?</p>
<p>Yes, indicate your home state, how much you and your family can pay, and how much colleges expect you and your family to pay (try the net price calculators at the various colleges). Also, are you a National Merit Finalist?</p>
<p>I live in Illinois. Sorry, I thought I included that in the post. In terms of majors, I’m looking most seriously into mechanical. But, I am also considering eletrical, chemical, and civil. I know that doesnt narrow it down much, but MechE and CivilE are my two top choices.</p>
<p>Im not a National merit finalist, I thought the PSAT was just practice and the score didnt matter. </p>
<p>I havent had a in depth conversation with my parents about how much they can pay, but my older brother will have graduated by the time I will enter college, and I believe they pay about $25k a year. </p>
<p>Another question, is it possible to get substantial financial aid at a public school like U of I UC?</p>
<p>@mikemac, I have ruled out a few colleges, mostly because of price or size. I ruled out F.W Olin College, Harvey Mudd, and Cooper Union all because they have attendance of under 1000. I also ruled out UC San Diego and UC Berkley for price. Because they are OOS public colleges, I figured I wouldnt be able to get as much financial aid, when I could attend a private school like USC for cheaper. </p>
<p>I am also considering Rice University in texas, but I feel like the location and size make it a less desirable option.</p>
<p>Another question, is it possible to get substantial financial aid at a public school like U of I UC?</p>
<p>If your parents can pay $25k per year at your brother’s college (and he’ll have graduated), then I think it’s safe to say that you won’t get any need-based aid at UIUC because your EFC is likely too high to qualify.</p>
<p>Are you asking about merit scholarships to UIUC? If so, that’s kind of unknown. UIUC is NOT known for its merit scholarships, but perhaps they will give something for an ACT 35.</p>
<p>You’re right that you wouldn’t get FA from the UCs. </p>
<p>Ask your parents how much they’ll pay each year. Your brother’s school may cost about $25k, but they may not be paying that much. He may have a student loan or something else that lessens what they pay out each year. </p>
<p>If your brother submitted FAFSA, ask what the EFC was.
If your family’s EFC is high, then you may not get the aid you need at schools that mostly give need-based aid. </p>
<p>At this point (since we don’t know what your brother’s EFC is), we can’t tell if USC would be cheaper than a UC.</p>
<p>Your stats are certainly high enough for large merit at some safety schools as back ups.</p>
<p>Even for in-state students, Illinois is very expensive, currently $34K/year for engineering majors.</p>
<p>Look at the Illinois President’s scholarship - you would be a candidate for that and it would get the COA down to $25K.</p>
<p>There are lots of decent to great engineering schools where you could get good merit aid. You would automatically get a full tuition scholarship plus some extras at Alabama. You would also have a good shot at large merit aid at quality engineering schools like NC State, Auburn, Clemson, Pitt, Case Western, RPI, etc. if any of those are appealing.</p>
<p>Try the net price calculator on the web site to see. But you need to talk to your parents about both the financial aid parameters that you need in order to use the net price calculators, and what they are actually able and willing to pay, in order to do anything besides just guess which schools may be affordable (other than very cheap ones like the automatic-big-merit schools or places like South Dakota Mines that have very low list prices).</p>
<p>For Berkeley, if you go for mechanical engineering, you can apply for the full-ride Drake Scholarship. Of course, that is a big reach. NCSU has a competitive full-ride Park Scholarship, and Georgia Tech has President’s Scholarships that may be full-ride, full-tuition, or some lesser amount.</p>
<p>You could try Virginia Tech. They are large with a lot of school spirit, great for engineering (esp civil), and tend to be lower cost. I’m not sure if they offer merit aid for OOS in these days or not.</p>
<p>Some schools are lower amount of students, but close to other colleges so that it feels larger. Example U of Rochester is smaller but has RIT next door. </p>
<p>Same goes for Mudd, but even with all the Claremonts you may feel that is too small.</p>
<p>Drexel in Philly would give you good merit, but Drexel, like Pitt and Bama, are larger than 8,000.</p>
<p>You have great stats and a solid shot anywhere.</p>
<p>If I were you, I’d apply to your 3 listed schools and then chase merit.<br>
I’d also run Net Price Calc for Ivy schools that give big aid. </p>
<p>Pitt and Carn.Mellon have an agreement that you can take classes at either school. Few take advantage of it, but you should be aware of it if you like CM.</p>
<p>You don’t need a top program. With your stats you could gain a lot from being a big fish in a small pond. If I were you, I’d be more interested in the equipment, internship and research options.</p>
<p>In addition to CMU and UIUC, you should apply to Cornell, MIT, Northwestern, Princeton and Stanford. Those schools do not give merit scholarships, but if you need financial assistance, they tend to be generous.</p>
<p>Also, Michigan’s CoE gives out large merit scholarships to students with your stats, but you should apply EA, because they are very limited in number.</p>