Hello. I’ve posted this before, but since early action applications are due soon, I wanted some last minute advice. What are some more match schools? Where do I have a good chance at receiving good merit aid? Are there any higher level schools that I have a decent shot at?
I live in Illinois and I’d prefer to go somewhere in the Midwest or on the East Coast. I am planning on majoring in Chemical or Electrical Engineering. My custodial income is very low, so fafsa only schools will be more affordable. My noncustodial parents make a lot of money but will not be contributing, making many of the CSS Profile schools too expensive.
•34 ACT
•3.8 unweighted GPA (4.43 weighted)
•Will be taking Math II, Physics, and U.S. History subject tests next week.
•5s on APUSH, Calculus BC, AP English Language, and AP Seminar. 4 on AP European History.
Extracurriculars:
•National Honor Society
•Key Club (volunteering)
•Student Council Treasurer
•Regular Library Volunteering
•Math team
•STEM club
•Best Buddies and Peer Tutor PE
•Doing a research project at Argonne National Laboratory
Colleges I’m applying to:
•University of Alabama (accepted)
•Iowa State (accepted)
•University of Illinois (Urbana)
•Northeastern
•Northwestern
•University of Wisconsin or University of Michigan (probably too expensive)
•Rose Hulman
•University of Minnesota
•Case Western
•Vanderbilt (Super affordable because they don’t look at noncustodial finances)
•Washington University in St. Louis
•Lehigh University
For need-based aid, run the net price calculator on each school’s web site, and note carefully whether non-custodial parent information is needed. You should probably drop some of the schools from your list, if they are too expensive on need-based aid and do not have large enough merit scholarships that are within reach for you.
Look into Illinois Institute of Technology. My S2 applied last year with similar stats and received a large merit award and need-based aid as well. He was also offered an opportunity to apply for the scholarship offering basically a full ride. If S hadn’t decided to change his major from engineering he would most likely be there now. We were very impressed with the engineering program there.
My D is at IIT. They do have excellent merit aid and it’s a great school. She has not regretted her choice at all. Your stats should put you in consideration for their top scholarships.
I have not, but I’d like to. From what I’ve seen/read I don’t feel like I’d really enjoy the environment there, so it’s not one of my higher choices. But obviously I can’t know until I actually visit.
I don’t know what you’ve read, but if your concern is about greek life, then as an eng’g student, that would not really affect you at all. Few eng’g students are Greek…they just don’t have time for it.
Plus, the STEM buildings are located in the upper right quadrant of the school, far away from the greek life activities.
You should visit. Let me know if you’re interested in setting up a full tour…campus tour, honors tour, etc.
Mom2collegekids:
Yeah, the idea of Greek Life has never been appealing. That makes me feel a lot better though! I will definitely let you know, thank you for the offer!
I only applied to rose hulman because of the free application, haha. I have, but since it is an out of state public it seems to be too expensive. Which is why I’m probably going to get rid of Wisconsin and Michigan.
@ethan1101 you have quite a list. On some, you will have to decide cost/benefit. You do have to visit UA before you make a final decision though - DD is at UA, and I can tell you her cousins (who have graduated from two of the schools on your list) are happy about the experiences she is having at UA. None of cousins were in any Greek nor is either DD. UA DD is in Eng, and another cousin did graduate in Eng (attended his in-state option, Iowa State for ChE and has worked in a variety of work, largely oil industry related). Another attended in-state U WI - loved the school and the opportunities, but very much a regional person (now working in Milwaukee).
The fall vibe on campus is centered around football on any of the campuses with a top 25 team. UA has used resources to build up STEM, and now they will be focusing more on building up graduate programs since enrollment tops 37,000; they will manage growth in enrollment and continue to improve the University. Honors College offers some great opportunities (DD is in STEM MBA program) including class priority. There is a fairly large core of students that you would consider your peers.
After visiting UA, feel free to PM any questions or concerns.
Agree about taking WI and MI off the table because they will be expensive as far as cost/benefit as OOS. Visit Vanderbilt on the way to UA and see if it is the kind of experience you want. You also never know if the financial aid rules change during your college years. Hate to see you go in expecting lower cost and then having to take student loans which could have been largely avoided with school choice.