<p>First off, I'd would like to say that I'm sure I want to major in a field in engineering. (Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical.) I also live in NYC and I plan to stay within the state. I don't wish to be so far away from home. I've already done much research but after looking at some of my top choices acceptance requirements I began to grow very skeptical.</p>
<p>A bit of information about myself is as follows:</p>
<p>I am currently attending Aviation High School.</p>
<p>Academic Performance:
Unweighted GPA : 3.68
Class rank: Unsure, I will know this upcoming year. But I'm sure I should be in the top 15%. out of 600-700 students.
Classes: I took AP Global History during my sophomore year. I'm planning on taking AP English my upcoming year. (Senior) My Physics and Chemistry were Honors classes.</p>
<p>I'm trying my best to optimize my performance for this October.</p>
<p>Extracurricular:
Volunteered for an organization called CPC this summer. About 5 hours a week.
PLANNING on joining Honor Society during my Senior year.
PLANNING on joining Track during my senior year.</p>
<p>I had many classes to attend during my school years and I just couldn't devote much time to some activities that I wanted to join during my Junior year.</p>
<p>I know my SAT nor my EC are very strong but I'm going to try to improve them as best as I can. I should have more time senior year that I could devote to some activities I've been meaning to join. I really hope it's not too late.</p>
<p>Some colleges that I have my eyes set on are:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Binghamton University
NYU Polytechnic Institute
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
Stony Brook University</p>
<p>Could anyone suggest to me some more colleges such as 'safety schools' and maybe some 'reach' schools? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Thanks. I’ve heard of Cooper Union before. I just look up some of their information on college board. I assume I need to drastically increase my SAT scores to be even considered? Seeing as 99% of applicants have higher SAT scores than me that would put me at a severe disadvantage.</p>
<p>Could you give me some alternatives? I mean is there no hope absolutely? Not even if I ace the essay, my recommendations, and improve my SAT score to maybe 1700?</p>
<p>You’ve got to increase your SAT score. Get a Blue Book and practice taking tests over and over again. On colleges choices:
Drexel
Villanova
Lehigh
UMD
Rutgers
Bucknell</p>
<p>Choices in a 400 mile radius of NYC, consider:</p>
<p>Clarkson University in Potsdam NY
Drexel University in Philadelphia
Rochester Institute of Technology In Rochester NY</p>
<p>I don’t think any of these would be true matches because of your SAT scores (but your GPA may balance that out, and anyway, what the heck do I know? I’m speculating). I suggest that you also take the ACT and see how that goes. </p>
<p>Reaches :
Union College in Schenectady, NY
RPI, in Rensselaer, NY (this already is on your list, but, as of now, I think it’s probably a reach for you)
Binghamton (ditto)
WPI in Worcester, Ma</p>
<p>Cooper Union is unbelievably competitive, because of the automatic full tuition scholarship. It’s a super-reach for anyone.</p>
<p>Look out for 3+2 engineering programs! For the SUNY’s, Oneonta offers a 3+2 program with Polytech Institute of NY. Albany, Fredonia, and Oneonta offer one with RPI. Fredonia, Geneseo (reach for you), Oneonta, and Plattsburgh offer a 3+2 with Syracuse. Cortland and Plattsburgh offer one with Stony Brook. Fredonia and Geneseo have one with Columbia. And lots of other SUNY schools offer one with either Binghamton or Clarkson. So if you can’t get into RPI or Binghamton, you might want to look at the lesser SUNY schools.</p>
<p>One great 3+2 program that I like is the one with Providence College. They offer one with Columbia and Washington U in StL. You should look into Providence-they don’t require the SATs or ACTs, which gives you a great chance of getting in, and if you want to go back to NYC, you can end up at Columbia!</p>
<p>I know you have a preference for NY schools, but look into WPI in Massachusetts. It’s less than 200 miles away from NYC. Also in Massachusetts is Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, which I would expect to be a match or safety for you.</p>
<p>Also look at Stevens, which someone else suggested.</p>
<p>Hofstra in an obvious possibility. UMD is too competitive, and not everyone can major in engineering there- you have to pass another application process.</p>