I need suggestions of reach, target, and safety schools for a Mechanical Engineering major that are in the midwest (my parents won’t let me go past the midwest). I have a 33 ACT composite score, I have a 4.536 GPA (A- s aren’t counted lower), and I’m in a moderate amount of extracurriculars (including Vice president of Model UN and co founder and co president of Stock market club).
Price limit, state of residency, and unweighted GPA?
I live in Illinois my unweighted GPA is 4.0 and I don’t really have a price limit just because it’s different with schools depending on their financial aid
You should ask your parents what their price limit is- there is always one. Then use NPCs with them to find out if a school is affordable for you.
For safety schools check out University of Alabama and University of Alabama- Huntsville. You would qualify for automatic scholarships at both.
At this point, I just need school names that I might have a chance at because I really have no idea where to even start. I was planning on looking into the financial part after I have an idea of what schools to look at that might accept me
University of Illinois (you’re in state so maybe give this one a visit if you haven’t yet) and Purdue may be match/low reach?
Your in-state public schools with mechanical engineering are UIUC, UIC, NIU, SIU-C, SIU-E.
UIUC is highly competitive for engineering majors. Some students get admitted in general studies or a second choice major, but will then find getting into their desired engineering major later to be highly competitive (dependent on college GPA and such).
Illinois publics are not generally known for good financial aid, even for Illinois residents. Run the net price calculator on each school’s web site to see if it may be affordable to you and your parents.
Matches and Reaches: Case Western Reserve, University of Illinois, Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan, Northwestern, Norte Dame, Wisconsin
Safety Schools: Michigan state, Iowa, Iowa State, Marquette, Ohio State, Miami of Ohio, Western Michigan
Significant merit aid at Nebraska, Iowa State, Miami (Ohio), Kansas, Oklahoma State. Excellent academics at Purdue, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Illinois. Solid academics & good time @ Michigan State, Iowa, Missouri.