<p>My son is interested in engineering (probably computer) and really has only looked at schools within our state of Michigan. He would like to go to a relatively small school so U of M is out (also not sure he would get in). In state, we are looking at Mich. State (too big but he would consider if he gets into Honors College), Mich Tech, and Calvin College. </p>
<p>Wondering what other schools we should look at that he might have a reasonable chance to get accepted into. His stats:</p>
<p>GPA 4.0 (unweighted), 4.4 (weighted)
ACT 32 (Math 35)
EC's are mostly music related (percussion, competitive drumline, piano)
Some activities through church (mission trips, etc.)
Not a lot in the area of leadership
No job yet</p>
<p>Ideally, we would be looking at a smaller school and one that might give decent financial aid - especially merit based.</p>
<p>Are there any great schools we should consider before settling on an instate school (none of which seem to be ideal...but would be acceptable if there were no other options)?</p>
<p>According to the common data sets, his ACT of 32 is above the 75th percentile of Michigan, and between the 25th and 75th percentile of Stanford (but his ACT Math of 35 is at the 75th percentile of Stanford).</p>
<p>wdaveo – Is that unweighted 4.0 on a 4.0 scale or a 5.0 scale? If he is an “A” student with a 32 ACT you have a lot of options. I take it your S is a junior so he’ll have the chance to improve the standardized test score if he so chooses. The rigor of your son’s high school curriculum will also come into play with admissions offices, particularly in math and science courses since he’s a prospective engineer.</p>
<p>Lots of good suggestions already, but you might add RPI to your list of schools worth looking into.</p>
<p>With a 4.0 UW and 32 ACT, he would probably be selected as a semi-finalist for Georgia Tech’s PSP if he applied early. That’s a full scholarship. It’s going to be an uphill battle without leadership experience, but if he’s has some interesting experiences with music, go for it. It’s not a small school, but with 12,000 undergrads, it’s a lot smaller than Michigan or Michigan State.</p>
<p>All students who apply to GT by November 1 are considered. By December 17th your know about admission (non-binding) and if you’re a semi-finalist. Semi-finalists are then interviewed by a local alumni organization and finalists are chosen. Finalists come to Atlanta and are interviewed again to determine winners.</p>
<p>My son has a GPA of 98.65, and SAT I of 1950 (critical reading: 720, math: 690, writing: 540).</p>
<p>He has been accepted to Lehigh (Integrated Business and Engineering), University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (Honors Program), Alfred University Inamori School of Engineering, RPI (he is an RPI Medalist), and Rose-Hulman.</p>
<p>He is waiting to hear from Cornell COE.</p>
<p>EC’s include marching band, symphonic band, technical theater, and church youth group.</p>
<p>I think you are underestimating your son’s desirability with schools of engineering. He sounds like a good candidate.</p>
<p>Wow, thanks so much for all the great suggestions! I’m so proud of my son and know he will do great wherever he ends up. </p>
<p>We’ve visited a few schools and he definitely prefers the smaller, more intimate environment. In fact, his #1 choice (of the few we have visited) is a small Christian college…Calvin College. Not sure if we can afford this one, though, so I am looking at other alternatives that might offer significant merit scholarships. (We won’t qualify for much FA…)</p>
<p>I see him at a school where he can make good friends, play music and just hang out. He will not be comfortable in a large school, party atmosphere (or he will just avoid it).</p>
<p>I appreciate all your advice and will look into all these suggestions. (At what point will my son actually be interested in checking out colleges? It really hasn’t happened yet…LOL!)</p>
<p>(To answer a few of the questions: he in not NMF or even NMSF…didn’t do great on the PSAT. His GPA is 4.0 unweighted on a 4.0 scale, 4.4 weighted on a 5.0 scale.)</p>
<p>@susgeek, finally some IBE admission stats! Congrats, it looks like an outstanding program. When we toured Lehigh, they called it their most marketable degree, which seems logical. Junior S is very interested, and his stats are worthy based on your info. Could be another LI kid in the program with yours. Carpool?</p>
<p>If small, Christian and inexpensive is on your son’s list of positives about his future college then you might consider Grove City College in Pennsylvania (north of Pittsburgh). Grove City offers degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. </p>
<p>GCC is fairly inexpensive, as per their website: “Total annual cost for tuition, room & board, and a notebook computer that is yours to keep when you graduate, is $21,008 for all degree programs.” Your son would also qualify for Grove City’s “Trustee Academic Scholarship” of $5,000 per year (minimum quals 3.8 GPA and a 29 on the ACT).</p>
<p>Maybe you want Notre Dame quality at a University of Dayton price (both smallish religious schools with engineering). For small engineering schools, Missouri S&T (Rolla) and New Mexico Tech would be easy to get into. For selective small schools: Princeton, Vanderbilt, Rice and WUSTL all also have engineering. Next you have to figure out how to pay for them.</p>
<p>Congrats on all the acceptances-we’re not doing so great in Westchester-2160 SAT; 34 ACT; 6 ap’s math and physics obv;National merit Finalist; 91 unweighted; weighted? who knows? Wait listed at Lehigh; other schools he’s above and got merit-RPI, maryland, Rochester-so where did we do wrong??? Wrong choices of schools?</p>