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<p>I’m inclined to agree with this statement. Unfortunately, I believe it’s too late for you to squeeze in another testing date for most of the schools seeing as how apps are due 1/1. Are you a URM by chance? If so, some of your reach schools might pan out for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t expect a 30 ACT to assure admission to UIUC engineering.</p>
<p>Annasdad is right - SIUC would be far more affordable (travel costs $$ too). Nephew is a recent grad, IDOT hire. He got a very good education there.</p>
<p>If you are OK with a smaller school: Union, Lehigh, Lafayette, Bucknell. You can also look at U of Rochester, RIT. Also maybe some larger state schools like Purdue…</p>
<p>agree that you should look at Lafayette and Lehigh- great overall college experience and excellent engineering</p>
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<p>Since the OP is a resident of Illinois, Purdue and most out of state public schools are likely to be too expensive with too little (if any) financial aid. A few that may be within reach include:</p>
<p>Virginia (aid to out-of-state students)
North Carolina-CH (aid to out-of-state students)
Minnesota-Morris ($22k out-of-state list price, ~2,000 student public LAC with physics but not engineering, deadline to apply soon)
Minnesota-TC ($29k out-of-state list price, deadline to apply soon)
Virginia Tech (~$30k out-of-state list price)
UAB with Blazer Elite Scholarship (but first come first served, and it is late in the process)</p>
<p>But, otherwise, look to in-state publics for safeties which are more likely to be affordable. UIUC, UIC, SIU-C, SIU-E, and NIU have engineering and presumably physics.</p>
<p>I don’t think UNC has engineering (or much anyway)…but maybe I’m wrong.</p>
<p>I’d include URoch in the above list.</p>
<p>This student needs to get clarification as to how much his parents will pay. He says that they have a good amount saved…that means an even higher EFC. But, since they’re middle income folks (in the 70k range), they may not be able to spend their savings on college…they may need it for retirement, emergencies, or whatever (some people don’t have their retirement money in a protected acct).</p>
<p>He should look to see if Missouri - Rolla (S&T??) will give him a large enough merit scholarship to bring cost down to near/below instate.</p>
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<p>True, no engineering at UNC-CH, though it does have physics (which seemed like the OP’s first choice major based on other threads).</p>
<p>ucbalumnus, you are very correct that physics is my first choice major. I would like to have the option to try engineering to see if I like it, but I would definitely be okay with only the physics option.</p>
<p>I am the last child in my family and my parents are 55 and 53, so I think they are planning on helping me with college if they need to. I’m not panicking or freaking out, just disappointed because I was optimistic towards Wash U. </p>
<p>Our family’s financial situation is not bad at all. We are middle class and stable and my parents have a decent amount of money. I was just hoping to cash in on need based aid since my mom didn’t work much last year, and my parents only made $74k total. I was offered $16k a year right off the bat at SLU for merit based aid, so if I commute, I’m pretty sure we could reasonably afford that or several of the other schools I’ve applied to. </p>
<p>I was just interested in what kinds of schools just under Wash U in selectivity would fit me. I think Case Western was a pretty good answer if the need-based aid is as good as you guys say. I researched the school, and it sounds like there are a lot of research opportunities there, which is something I really want in college. I applied to Northwestern too even though it’s probably almost as selective as Wash U. I’m considering applying to Rice, too. Thanks for all the advice guys this is very helpful.</p>
<p>OP, check your PMs.</p>
<p>sorry to hear OP, but frankly, you had little chance due to your test score. WashU is extremely focused on its ratings, and your ACT score is below their 25th %; they would need a HUGE reason to accept you only to bring down their published stats. Northwestern is statistically unlikely with that test score as well. (Yes, unfortunately, test scores will keep you out.) Your best chance for a positive outcome is to retake the ACT next month and rock it. Hopefully, WashU will consider later test scores.</p>
<p>Kyla: USC has excellent need-based financial aid, so even if you miss out on thier merit $, it still might be affordable.</p>
<p>Carolina not worth the app fee, IMO. A 30 is just too low for OOS.</p>
<p>jvtdad: Carnegie Mellon does not meet full need.</p>
<p>Check out the Midwest Student Exchange Program: [MHEC</a> : Student Access: Midwest Student Exchange Program (1)](<a href=“http://www.mhec.org/MidwestStudentExchangeProgram]MHEC”>http://www.mhec.org/MidwestStudentExchangeProgram)</p>
<p>Also, check out Nebraska: [UNL</a> | Admissions | Out-of-State Scholarship Estimator](<a href=“http://admissions.unl.edu/estimate/index.aspx]UNL”>http://admissions.unl.edu/estimate/index.aspx)</p>
<p>I heard Clemson had decent aid for qualified out-of-state students, but you may have missed the deadline.</p>
<p>^^
Clemson doesn’t have need-based aid for OOS students, but will give some merit for high stats. I don’t think an ACT 30 is high enough for much there. An ACT 32+ is the upper 25% at Clemson.</p>
<p>*
Our family’s financial situation is not bad at all. We are middle class and stable and my parents have a decent amount of money. I was just hoping to cash in on need based aid since my mom didn’t work much last year, and my parents only made $74k total. I was offered $16k a year right off the bat at SLU for merit based aid, so if I commute, I’m pretty sure we could reasonably afford that or several of the other schools I’ve applied to. </p>
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<p>If your family has a lot saved, then your need based aid will be affected by that. And if your mom’s income was unusually low for 2011, then that will only affect your EFC for your frosh year.</p>
<p>You need to ask your parents how much they’ll pay. </p>
<p>I was just interested in what kinds of schools just under Wash U in selectivity would fit me.</p>
<p>There seems to be a gap between the “very selectives” and the next level. I’ve heard that Case doesn’t give great aid…or maybe it gives preferential pkging for high stats. </p>
<p>Have you looked at URoch? </p>
<p>Again, ask your parents how much they’ll pay…you need to know that.</p>
<p>And run some calculators - and include their savings, assets, and home equity (if a CSS school)</p>
<p>case gives pretty good merit aid. also have you thought about olin college of engineering? they give a scholarship to every student and then if you add need based aid it might be affordable. the app is due jan 1 and all testing needs to have been completed by then however, so you wont be able to raise your scores.</p>
<p>unfortunately you missed the deadline for merit-based aid at Clemson. You had to apply by December 1st</p>
<p>If you’re still looking, this is an awesome resource:
[Project</a> on Student Debt: What’s the Bottom Line?](<a href=“http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php]Project”>http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php)</p>
<p>If you’ve applied to SLU you might want to apply to The University of Dayton. It has been my perception that given your stats you would get a lot of aid. My son is in the engineering school there (he received a great package) and with their strong ties to Wright-Patt Airforce base there are lots of research/co-op opportunites (if you are interested in mechanical/aerospace) Also, GE is currently building a large research center there. I feel their program is under-rated</p>
<p>Lehigh is a great choice for engineering. Did you declare your major in your app? If so that might be the problem in getting deferred. Engineering at Washu and Lehigh are the most competitive to get into and they probably have higher standards for engineering. </p>
<p>I would suggest another school with a great engineering rep. But apply as undecided, get in and get great grades as a freshman. Apply to engineering as soon as you can and you probably can get in that way.</p>
<p>Rutgers has a great engineering program as well. It is a state university and they dont hand out much fa. But it cheaper than private.</p>
<p>Good luck and forget about Washu. It is not too late for some schools.</p>
<p>Got in UIUC engineering program. Most likely a better program than Wash U’s engineering. Maybe it’s a good thing now that I don’t have to commit to Wash U because of the ED agreement.</p>
<p>Good for you hippiejack. UIUC is stellar for engineering. Your best choice!</p>