<p>My DS'14 is starting to think about college. He is interested in studying engineering (he thinks mechanical, I could see him developing an interest in other types of engineering that he hasn't had exposure to yet as well). </p>
<p>10th grade PSAT scores suggest that he'll probably be borderline for NMF with next year's scores. We expect "strong" SAT/ACT scores, with likely-perfect math scores and relatively weaker in the other areas. </p>
<p>Weak EC's and minimal community service -- at this point I think we should work with this as a fact rather than trying to change it (though we still encourage). There are no robotics teams or anything like that here, and he just really isn't into anything else. He did fencing for a bit but the fencing club keeps getting shut down by the school for low attendance, and there isn't anywhere else locally he can fence. He'll participate in the AMC series of math competitions and should do reasonably well, but I'm guessing not exceptionally well. Likewise, there are somewhat limited opportunities for community service, and frankly limited interest on his part. We live rurally and many opportunities just don't exist here, for kids not interested in the standard athletic endeavors.</p>
<p>Our criteria so far:</p>
<p>He would like to stay in the northeast (Ontario and Quebec are also possible -- he has Canadian citizenship)</p>
<p>We need a school that either gives generous merit to middle class families or gives generous merit aid based on stats alone (and not stuff like leadership) -- enough to get the COA under 25K (our FAFSA EFC is higher than that). </p>
<p>He would prefer a school that is less of a party school if possible. (An honors college with "less partying" honors housing may mitigate.)</p>
<p>Not a requirement, but I think co-op or other "experiential learning" opportunities would be really good for him. </p>
<p>As mentioned in another thread, he's a major introvert, so the ability to get a single room would be a big bonus. Failing that, the availability of private study rooms or other quiet spaces on campus where he can get some time alone when he needs it would help.</p>
<p>No opinion yet on urban/rural/large/small/etc.</p>
<p>University of Toronto, McGill University, and other Canadian universities are well worth looking at for student with Canadian citizenship, as tuition is relatively inexpensive, which may bring the total cost of attendance under your limit even without aid or scholarships.</p>
<p>The schools in Canada seem like a good choice. If he is interested in staying in the United States though, he might take a look at some of the [Association</a> of Independent Technological Universities: AITU](<a href=“http://theaitu.org%5DAssociation”>http://theaitu.org) schools as the smaller ones often have decent financial aid to bring the cost of attendance down. From what you describe, he would fit in well at a tech school, although it might be better for him to go to a bigger, more diverse (as far as areas of study are concerned) student body.</p>
<p>I think Queens and Waterloo will also be on our list to at least check out in more detail. You’re right, the Canadian schools are close to our price range without aid, and they’re much less EC/leadership focused as far as I can tell than American schools of similar caliber, so they could be a good fit.</p>
<p>If you are in Vermont, University of Vermont has civil, electrical, environmental, and mechanical engineering in its ABET accreditation list. That is fewer than usual for a state flagship university.</p>
<p>xray, we haven’t figured out yet whether he’d be happier at an engineering-focused school or a more diverse one, though leaning toward the former.</p>
<p>UVM is pretty expensive for a state school too. If he’s NMF he’ll get full tuition, but otherwise he’ll probably only get 4500/year merit which does barely bring it into range for us, but seems high for a state school. I have the impression that it’s more of a party school than he’d prefer, but they do have an honors program.</p>
<p>I suggest taking a look at Alfred University (NY) established in 1836. Merit Aid, need-based aid, 2,300 undergrads, small classes-know your professors, Division III athletics, No Greek Life, housing guaranteed for all 4 years, many clubs & organizations, located in small friendly village of Alfred, NY. </p>
<p>An excellent value and still under 40k/year, although I can’t guarantee it will still be under 40k year by the time he graduates from high school! </p>
<p>School of Art & Design
College of Liberal Arts
School of Business
School of Engineering </p>
<p>USNWR’s Great Schools Great Prices
Princeton Review’s Best 376
Fiske Guide 2012
Fiske Best Value
Fiske Small Schools Strong in Art & Design
Fiske Small Schools Strong in Engineering
Princeton Review’s Best 297 Business Schools </p>
<p>Mechanical Engineering is a private program, some others may be through NYS, so those have a lower tuition price for in-state students.</p>
<p>For a Canadian citizen from outside Quebec, tuition at McGill would be around $8000. That is an incredible bargain compared to most US schools. If your daughter makes NMF, then Northeastern University in Boston would offer her a full tuition scholarship.</p>
<p>Otherwise, most schools do look at EC’s in awarding merit aid.</p>
<p>My son is a hs sr. with a focus on mechanical engineering. He is top 5% 2080 SAT and he has rec’d admission to Georgia Tech, Purdue (likely letter), UConn, Drexel and UNCC (safety). He has rec’d good money from Drexel (21K for 5 yr coop) Uconn (12K). Should hear more on the others in the near future. While his numbers were good, EC’s were a necessary component. The NYT had a great article where admissions are up at many schools. When I see the stats of some of the students here on CC, it is mind blowing. </p>
<p>I would suggest that your son get involved in something at school. If you have a Leo club, this is a great oppty. for him to gain community service hours. They are looking for commitment, quality, not quantity of ec’s. Remember these schools are looking to choose the best students that will continue the legacy of their school. Good luck.</p>
<p>I would encourage your son to try to become a math and/or physics tutor. If there isn’t a “company” already, maybe he could start his own. This would enhance his application.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t have thought of a LAC as being a fit for a kid with a strong engineering bent?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>He’s super shy, so he’d never do this on his own. But there may be opportunities for him to do this through school during his junior and senior years. (But at that point it almost looks like he was just doing it to bolster his applications anyhow.)</p>
<p>Getting a job as a math or physics tutor really doesn’t look like an application bolsterer, compared to other ECs that are started late in HS, because many tutors are juniors and seniors.</p>
<p>There are lots of solid universities willing to give merit purely on grades and scores but you may have to look outside the northeast. Do you think he would be willing to go to the Midwest, west or south?</p>
<p>Iowa State University…almost one half of the graduates are in STEM type fields. $27,000 total tuition/fees/room/board. Would probably qualify for about $7,000 in merit aid for a $20,000 net cost. Outstanding career services especially for engineering.</p>
<p>*There are lots of solid universities willing to give merit purely on grades and scores but you may have to look outside the northeast. Do you think he would be willing to go to the Midwest, west or south?</p>
<p>*</p>
<p>I agree. The NE isn’t as generous for engineering majors as other parts of the country are.</p>
Worth checking out more, do you think?</p>
</p>