<p>Right, so here are the schools I'm probably applying to.</p>
<p>Techie Atmosphere Schools: RPI, WPI, RIT
Good CS Program, not engineering school: Villanova, Lehigh
LACs: Bowdoin, Colby</p>
<p>I'm not sure which atmosphere is for me... but those are the schools I'm considering.</p>
<p>Stats:</p>
<p>Like 96-97 unweighted I think
School doesn't offer AP. Took 5 college classes to try and make up for it.
Rank: 1/34</p>
<p>SAT I: 670 (ouch), 720, 770 - retaking for the low Math
SAT II: Taking in Dec. assume 700+ in Math2 and Bio</p>
<p>ECs: Two sports for 4 years (captain on one). Involved in a couple clubs (school barely offers any). Have a couple leadership roles.
Volunteer: Trying to build up 100+</p>
<p>Advantages: First Gen, Low income, very poor region of US.</p>
<p>Hey weenie, thanks for taking the time to reply.</p>
<p>I've managed to visit two of them so far. I doubt I'll be able to visit others . . . maybe after I'm accepted I can convince my parents to let me go. And you're right they are varied, but I can't decide which type of school atmosphere I'd enjoy the most. It will all come down to financial aid offers I guess.</p>
<p>I've got one kid at a techie school (WPI) and one kid at a LAC (Denison) and, as you might expect, they are really very different feeling. I tjust depends on where you fit in.</p>
<p>Well I definitely wouldn't be classified as a geek, and I'm sure the tech schools have groups of typical students as well. I don't think I should rule out a school based on stereotypes. Bah. I'm leaning towards WPI, how does your kiddo like it? </p>
<p>So far so good at WPI. The kids are pretty, well, geeky. It's a small school, with a nice intimate feel. His classes have been fairly large - of course it's all intro stuff he's in now - and they break out into smaller "conference" classes. He hasn't had a non-English speaking prof (yet) and has had very good advising and there is good academic support there. It has very high theater and music participation - which is nice at a tech school. </p>
<p>He liked RPI a lot too and had a hard time choosing between those two. RIT got ruled out mostly because we live in Rochester. He has friends at Villanova. My impression is that it's a pretty intense school with quite wealthy kids. </p>
<p>Because you need a nice financial aid package, you'll have to apply to plenty of schools and wait to see what they offer you. Don't borrow a ton of money if you can help it! Shouldn't your state U be on your list?</p>
<p>Why are "First Gen, Low income, very poor region of US." advantages?</p>
<p>I thought they are disadvantages as prestigious universities will think that your family will bring not as good a reputation as other richer applicants will do.</p>
<p>I'm now struggling my app too as not only I'm the first generation of my family to go to college, having low income, my school also sucks with quite a low grade average for IB scores.</p>
<p>Or are they advantages for Americans, not for International applicants?
Even if they are advantages, how do colleges know? Do I specify them in the optional area for extra information on CommonApp for example?</p>
<p>Being a first generation American to go to college can be an advantage at some schools that are looking to diversify their student body. This would not really apply to international students however, as that is a whole different admissions situation, although if there's a place to mention it by all means do write it in there. My understanding is that because there is so little financial aid available to international students, most come from quite wealthy families.</p>
<p>The only time "family reputation" might come into admissions in the US is if the family has donated a large amount of money to the college (or, if the college knows that the family could potentially donate a large amount of money). This is relevant to very few families however (and they know who they are LOL).</p>
<p>I think you have a very good shot at all of them also. My son's friend visited numerous schools and liked WPI the best. Great academics, nice campus and friendly kids. We also know kids at Villanova and RIT and they are happy also.</p>