<p>Our family moves around a lot due to job relocation. Our son hasn't built any leadership roles/titles as a result. He plays one sport and is a community volunteer year-round. He is hoping to study engineering and has a hobby car that he modifies and races; he repairs cars and is obsessed with the automotive industry. His math and science scores are B's; ACT math and science scores are 80th and 91st percentile respectively (composite 29). But he is a gifted mechanic and has been curious about "how stuff works" since he was very young. Does he stand a chance gaining admittance to an engineering school? Should he try for M.E. or C.E. or Aero? Is there one specialty that is easier to get into than another? His search includes Purdue, Marquette, UCs, Cal States, and other state universities. Any advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Also post your question on the Engineering Major subforum.</p>
<p>What would your home state be considered? What can you afford? UCs out of state would be ~$50K/year. Purdue is just a bit less. Most state flagships have a good engineering program.</p>
<p>My son is now a freshman in engineering at Penn State University Park. Penn State University Park gives 2/3 weight to the GPA, so if your son has a GPA of 3.5 or better along with the scores/grades you posted, I’m sure he would get in. It sounds like he would be a good fit for quite a few engineering schools. At Penn State you are accepted into the school of engineering and do not choose your field of engineering until the 2nd year. So far my son loves it there.</p>
<p>Also it looks like Penn State has some engineering courses your son would like:</p>
<p>[Related</a> Courses at Penn State Advanced Vehicle Team](<a href=“http://www.hev.psu.edu/?page_id=122]Related”>http://www.hev.psu.edu/?page_id=122)</p>
<p>*His math and science scores are B’s; ACT math and science scores are 80th and 91st percentile respectively (composite 29).</p>
<p>Should he try for M.E. or C.E. or Aero? Is there one specialty that is easier to get into than another? His search includes Purdue, Marquette, UCs, Cal States, and other state universities. Any advice would be appreciated. *</p>
<p>Much is going to depend on what your home state is and what you can afford to pay. OOS publics will be expensive since they don’t give great aid and an ACT 29 won’t usually get big merit scholarships. For instance, if you’re OOS for Purdue, then it will be expensive for you since an ACT 29 is not high for the school. And Penn State gives few merit scholarships (I think only about $5k per year to the Shreyers honors kids).</p>
<p>Typically, to get big merit scholarships the test scores should be well-within the top 25% of the school (often top 5-10%) for the schools that give big merit (many schools don’t give big merit)…and GPA needs to be strong as well. </p>
<p>If you’re instate for Calif, then any of the Cal Polys would be good. My niece adores SLO. </p>
<p>If he going to retest? If so, having a 30+ could change things.</p>
<p>What’s his GPA?</p>
<p>Has he taken AP Calc or AP Physics C? The latter is a better indicator as to whether he’s cutting for engineering study. A degree in mechanical engineering technology could be a good fit for a gifted hands-on person. See this, [Academics</a> : Mechanical Engineering Technology : Purdue University College of Technology](<a href=“http://www.tech.purdue.edu/MET/Academics/]Academics”>Mechanical Engineering Technology Degree | Purdue University). And this page briefly explains the difference: [Engineering</a> vs Engineering Technology | College of Engineering | UNC Charlotte](<a href=“http://coe.uncc.edu/prospective-students/new-freshman-students/engineering-vs-engineering-technology.html]Engineering”>http://coe.uncc.edu/prospective-students/new-freshman-students/engineering-vs-engineering-technology.html).</p>