<p>Hey guys, I currently have just finished my sophomore year and plan to visit some colleges for the first time over the summer, my list is as follows:
1. Michigan
2. Purdue
3. UIUC
4. Minnesota
5. Cornell
6. Possibly Carnegie Melon</p>
<p>From comparing my stats to the regular universities, it seems like I would be able to be accepted, but considering I am OOS for every one of those schools, I am starting to question whether I should bother visiting those schools. On top of all this, I hope to become an engineering major, and at these universities, I have heard they are more selective than regular campus, but how much so? Would it be a waste of my time to visit these schools if I am OOS and hoping to attend their engineering programs? I am not trying to turn this into a chance me, I am just looking for some advice. if need be, my stats are 4.35 weighted GPA (school doesn't offer unweighted), top 10% of my class at prestigiously hard high school, and 35 Composite on ACT. Thank you.</p>
<p>Good engineering programs are almost always more selective than the school as a whole. If you’re serious about engineering, don’t let that deter you. These are undoubtedly some of the best in the nation and, after all the work you’ve put in during high school, you should try your hardest to get in unless financial circumstances are too prohibitive.</p>
<p>Even factoring in the lower odds of getting in OOS, I think you’ve got a solid shot at all of these schools. As for how much more selective their engineering programs are, it can depend on the major (some admit by major for a few majors within engineering, while others might just admit as a whole or admit by college and let you pick). I know that you’ll be a competitive candidate at Carnegie Mellon (unless your ECs are too weak or something) since your profile is around or above average for CIT and you’ll probably get in with the ECE option as well (CMU admits either with or without the option to major in ECE, although not having the option on paper doesn’t really deter anyone). I also know people with similar stats at competitive high schools who’re headed to Purdue, UIUC, and Michigan next year; I haven’t checked out Minnesota and the one person from my school who got into Cornell turned them down for one of our state flagships (full ride + stipends).</p>
<p>So, no; you’re not wasting money. You’ve got a solid shot of getting in as an out of state applicant; the odds aren’t low at all for you.</p>
<p>North Carolina State has an impressive Engineering program - I believe they have 17 different majors in Engineering, second only to MIT (if I have that right). The Park Scholarship program offers full merit rides, very competitive … but depending on your stats might be worth a look.</p>