Early action deadlines are coming up, so I would like some opinions on my current list of schools and whether I should add or subtract any schools.
Stats: 3.98 UW GPA, 33 ACT, Most Honors/AP Classes, Extracurricular activities with leadership
Intended Major: Electrical Engineering
Home State: Hawaii
List:
Probably - University of British Columbia (some small merit awards)
Probably - Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (low initial tuition)
Likely - Colorado State University (WUE)
Reach - Cornell University (no merit, so unlikely option)
Likely - University of Hawaii Manoa (in-state)
Probably - Lehigh University (some large merit awards)
Probably - Northeastern University (some large merit awards)
Reach - Rice University (some merit awards)
Probably - Santa Clara University (some large merit awards)
Reach - Stanford University (no merit, so unlikely option)
Likely - University of Utah (WUE)
Probably - University of Washington (some small merit awards)
Do I need more match (probably) or likely schools? I am looking for significant merit scholarships, as I will not qualify for need-based aid. My parents can pay around 35k total each year.
Private schools will probably be more affordable. It seems like most schools on my list, except Stanford and Cornell, will be workable if I get good scholarships or their tuition is lower to begin with.
I am open to all regions of the U.S. except the Southeast. Schools in the West or Northeast are preferred.
I would like a school where I am surrounded by other smart, ambitious people. It would also be nice if the school is not only a tech school so I can interact with people in non-STEM majors.
Case Western Reserve fits your criteria. Bucknell might also be a good choice and Carnegie Mellon. You have gauged your chances well but some of the schools you call Probably are instead Likely. Where to apply early is a big decision. If you have a lot of summer research or academic enrichment activities perhaps Stanford is a void idea but I don’t think they award any merit aid
like wje9164be said—
Case Western Reserve
Carnegie Mellon
and a smaller school I would add for good luck and some advantages like as an undergrad ( they focus on you )
lafayette college http://es.lafayette.edu/
You can tell now if Cornell and Stanford would be unaffordable. Run the Net Price Calculator on each school’s web site. If they’re unaffordable you can drop them (unless you’re just trying for trophies).
^ “Purple and Gold Scholarships: All U.S. students admitted as freshmen are automatically considered for this four-year scholarship. For autumn 2015, scholarship amounts range from $3,000 to $7,500 per year ($12,000 to $30,000 over four years) and were awarded to about one half of U.S. freshmen who are not residents of Washington State.” https://admit.washington.edu/Paying/PurpleGold
^ That’s known as a lure. The COA for OOS is $49K+. That $7.5K discount means the school still makes more than with a full pay in-state student ($27K COA).
^ I was replying to the incorrect statement in #5.
Yes, UW is very inexpensive for in-state students. For OOS, if you can get $7,500 off of the $45K tuition, room and board, that would be an attractive lure.
Hmmm. Please indicate where the UW states that it provides generous merit awards for non-Washington residents. As Erin’s Dad aptly said, it’s a lure and a fairly meager one at that. A discount of 7.5K from fiddy grand isn’t much of an incentive to many (if not most parents) when they and their student have other options.
You also might want to look at schools that have low OOS tuition, like SDSM and Minnesota-twin cities. That will stay within your $35K budget. Also - maybe Purdue and absolutely U Alabama which would cover all of your tuition for 4 years with your stats. Your net cost at Alabama might be $13-$15K per year after travel is included. You’d only have to pay for your 5th year if you can’t complete your degree by then.
11 What are you talking about? No one said "generous." OP said, "Some small merit awards," which was accurate. You incorrectly said, "Little to NO merit awards." I provided a link to a UW website that said UW provides scholarships of between $3,000 and $7,500 per year to about one half of U.S. freshmen who are not residents of Washington State.
All merit scholarships are “lures,” and you can characterize it as “meager” if you like. However, for students who do not qualify for need based aid, $3,000 to $7,500 off of (an already competitively priced) $45K for tuition, room and board can help make UW a more affordable option.