Engineering schools

<p>What, if any chance do I have to get in at Olin? - I am extremely interested in this school (and will 99% sure go if accepted), but its admission rate is extremely low (I'll apply and see what happens - just wondering what chances I have).</p>

<p>Here's my stats
-4.2 GPA (4.0 unweighted) at a pretty academically diverse private (doesn't rank, but i'm probably about 5/100).<br>
-34 ACT/2300 (mix and match) SAT
-SAT 2's: chem 800, math 1: 770, math 2: 780
-took a couple classes at a decent local university
-Caucasian male
-~300 hrs community service
-junior year ap's: 5 chem, 4 english
-senior year ap's: calc bc, english, bio, physics, econ
-will be NM commended scholar, just missed cutoff for semi-finalist (i think)
EC's:
-Mu alpha theta president
-NHS (running for office)
-church youth group - media team leader
-misc math. competitions: decent scores, usually place, OSU's math dept is trying to recruit me (because of AIME)
-lifeguard (supervisor now) (~10 hrs/wk in school year)</p>

<p>Any suggestions about getting into olin?</p>

<p>Also, does anyone know of any other "reach" schools that I should apply for? I'm thinking about chemical engineering (if its at Olin, it'll probably be materials or bioengineering). Money-wise, I'd like to stay at around 12-14k or under for tuition+room/board (after scholarships). I'd also prefer to stay in the midwest/east coast area.</p>

<p>Thanks in advence for all your help and assistance.</p>

<p><em>bump</em> <em>bump</em></p>

<p>Your scores, ECs, etc, look similar to other Olin applicants/students. . . Go for it!</p>

<p>There's an Olin thread here under Alphabetical List of Colleges. You'll get more comments if you post there.</p>

<p>Any other (reach) schools that I should think about applying to? I'm already applying to several super safteys (OSU, Purdue, etc - decent programs but easy to get in) and a few safe matches (Rose-hulman - probably my main backup, u of delaware, etc)</p>

<p>A lot of my friends here (MIT) also applied and were accepted into Olin. A lot them seemed to like it there, too. It seems that certain aspects of the school cultures are similar. I would highly recommend looking into MIT. As far as chemical engineering here goes, it's the most difficult program at MIT (and probably on a related notion, also has the highest average exit salary). </p>

<p>So yeah, I strongly encourage you to look at what MIT</a> has to offer, specifically the chemical</a> engineering program.</p>

<p>EDIT: Oh, and it should be noted that MIT has excellent financial aid, and is 100% needs-blind in admissions and has a 100% needs-met policy.</p>

<p>MIT has crap financial aid. I know someone who got nada because they owned their home, as opposed to renting it. Income was good, but not rediculously high either.</p>

<p>MIT evaluates each financial aid application separately. My family owns their home and is comfortably middle-class (mom's a teacher, dad's in middle management), and we got quite a bit of aid. They look at many factors when determining the aid package.</p>

<p>I'm really worried MIT will give me nothing (financial aid estimators put my EFC at about 50k/yr). My parents won't pay for that much and I definatly can't pay that much. Is there anyway I can shield any of my parents' assets or income? :)</p>

<p>As for getting into Olin... having some clear-defined passions outside of math and science would probably help you. It's important to love math and science, it's just appreciated if you also have other interests. But in general your stats look good!</p>

<p>Another school that is similar to Olin in some ways in Harvey Mudd (though it is on the opposite coast!)</p>