My daughter has a solid weighted GPA at 3.7 but her composite ACT scores (practice test so far) have not been great at 23. Her extracurriculars include symphony band, stage crew, state certified soccer referee, other fundraising efforts. He was also selected into a year long leadership program and has been to a number of summer engineering programs for high school students.
All math and science classes have been either honors or AP.
Any thoughts as to mechanical or chemical engineering programs. Do you think she has a shot at RPI or RIT?
Clarkson would be solid for her programs of interest and might be a realistic option for her.
RPI, by entering student standardized scoring profile, falls within the top 50 in the U.S. and would not seem realistic at that projected testing level.
RIT could be possible.
With actual testing, her options will become clearer.
My ChemE D did not score well on the ACT - but she DID on the SAT - so I suggest having your daughter look at that option. Another suggestion is why not look beyond RPI or RIT and see what schools might be available to your D with her current scores…
Is she a junior? If her actual scores are at or near that number then RPI would be a reach and I think RIT would be as well. I know some schools I would consider matches in the state of Ohio. For Chemical Engineering consider the University of Akron. Most students who apply as engineering majors tend to have higher than average GPA’s and test scores compared to the school in general. Her options would open up if she were to get her ACT up to the 27 range especially her math score.
She needs to be prepared to take math courses in colleges that include Calc 1,2, and 3 (Multi variable calculus), linear algebra and differential equations and engineering statistics, a year of calculus based physics and year of Chemistry (especially as a Chem E). If she continues the Chem E route she’ll need organic chemistry, physical chemistry then courses such as Thermodynamics, separations, fluids, reactions etc. She’ll then get into processes her junior and senior years.
A strong math and science backround and a good head for concepts will help her be successful in an engineering program. Good luck.