<p>Hello! I am a rising senior, and I am now working on forming a list of colleges I will apply to this fall. I am very interested in math and science and am looking for a university with strong programs in mathematics, physics, engineering, and computer science. I would prefer sunny, warm weather as I feel I am happier and more productive in such an environment, but honestly academic rigor is my number one priority in terms of college selection. As a result, I would have no problem attending a university that does not have a lively "party scene". I am also a low-income student, so naturally I am interested in universities with strong merit or need-based aid. Finally, I am already aware of highly selective schools such as Stanford, Caltech, ect. - I would really appreciate suggestions including lesser known (but still top notch academic) schools as I begin filling out my list. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>What are your stats so we can target correctly?</p>
<p>Here is my chance thread with my stats: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/961322-chance-oklahoman.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/961322-chance-oklahoman.html</a></p>
<p>What about Harvey Mudd? Students work incredibly hard and it’s in Cali. Also add Rice if you haven’t already done so. It’s in Houston, Texas and it’s tuition is thousands cheaper than most.</p>
<p>University of Arizona has a good engineering department. It would make a nice safety for you. Probably Univ of OK has decent engineering, too. However, that being said, I would imagine that you will get merit aid at one of the top schools you already have on your list. The best school for you would be MIT, but since it’s not warm and sunny, I would choose Stanford, Rice, CalTech or Harvey Mudd. Poke around the academic section of the web sites for these 4 schools and look at the course work - both required and elective. You may find a difference in the amount or nature of required courses. Check out the research being done by the professors in your dept and see if it appeals to you because you will be taking higher level courses early on and the better courses will be the ones taught by professors with interest in that area. For example, for computer science, if the research is in compilers and languages and like it is at Rice, those courses will be the best. Likewise, Rice is strong in bioengineering and nanotech.</p>
<p>BTW, I know a kid at MIT who had stats similar to yours and he is thriving there. MIT allowed him to take whatever courses he wanted to. He was taking graduate level math courses his freshman year. He took some college physics and didn’t like it. Then he tried comp sci and found that it was a great way to apply his interest in theoretical math. He is now doing research in theoretical CS as a junior at MIT (he will be entering his 3rd year at MIT next fall) and is hoping to be published before he graduates. In fact, he could graduate early, but has decided to stay 4 years so he can work on his research. He then hopes to get into the PhD program of his choice. The point is that MIT was flexible enough for him to get the rigorous math courses he wanted and experiment with other courses and avoid the courses he had no interest in. MIT isn’t necessarily trying to graduate students who are well-rounded academically, but is more interested in allowing students to pursue their interests to the nth level.</p>
<p>If the OP gets into MIT he will have his need met. But getting into MIT, even for the OP, is a reach. OU and OSU would be safeties. UNC-CH and UVA meet full need. I believe U Mich has some good scholarships for top student applicants.</p>
<p>MIT seems like a really awesome school, and I would definitely have no reservations attending. Like Erin’s Dad mentioned, however, it is definitely a reach - I am primarily looking for alternatives that I would be happy attending. Rice is also on my radar as well.</p>
<p>As far as OU and OSU are concerned, I am not so sure I would be happy attending. State-school syndrome? Maybe… It just seems to me that there are a lot of students there that do not share my passion for academics. I really want to go to a university with top notch academics and a student body that would push me to my limit.</p>
<p>Harvey Mudd definitely looks interesting! Can anyone comment on the quality of their financial aid?</p>
<p>Your stats are excellent. Some schools I would suggest are Duke, Georgia Tech and USC. I’m pretty sure they all offer merit scholarships and match your criteria pretty well. </p>
<p>And though it’s not really in a warm area, I think you should consider Northwestern (especially their ISP program due to the many post-AP courses in math and science you’ve taken) since you listed being interested in Chicago and UIUC in your chances thread.</p>
<p>Really, you belong at a top school, so it’s difficult to recommend lower ranked schools. I don’t think you will be challenged. I can understand how you might not want OU, but you have to have some kind of safety and at least a big university will have graduate level courses you can take. You will find like souls in those classes. I just can’t think of any schools with warm weather that would be appropriate as safeties for engineering other than the big state u’s. You will quickly run out of math courses to take at most undergraduate schools. I’ll be hoping you get into one of your top choices. Post later and let us all know. If you really want to go out of state, Univ of Texas is probably a match (not a safety) and they have great engineering. Surely, in a huge school like that you will be able to find other studious undergraduates. I know several really smart people who went there.</p>
<p>You know, I’ve thought a lot about a state school in a big, competitive state like Texas. I feel like I could thrive at Texas and enjoy myself. I do have one question though… how overrated is the big school, “just a number” thing?</p>
<p>With your stats, you’d probably be able to get into Honors Engineering, which, if you wanted it to, could make the school feel smaller.</p>
<p>The main thing I’ve heard people complain about regarding large schools is that sometimes they feel overwhelmed by the massive student population and they feel like a fish lost at sea. Basically, the kids wanted to have a greater sense of familiarity than that which typically occurs at large schools. If it’d bother you to take classes in large lecture halls and to walk across campus only recognizing a few kids, if any, then a large school might not be the best idea. I like large schools but I look at it more from the perspective of more people equals more diversity equals more ideas/options equals more fun. But that’s just me.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It’s not overrated, more like underrated IMO. While applying to colleges I had thought I was better suited to a smaller school (and applied to mostly those) but now since attending a school that is on the larger side, I find I prefer it much more. Compared with a smaller school, there are more resources, presence/influence in the area, school spirit, etc. The “just a number” concern is often unfounded but it really depends on the type of person you are. If you are someone who is very self-sufficient and know what you want to do, you will be fine with a big school.</p>
<p>Check out Rutgers University…it has a strong mathematics and physics department. Though its a public university, there’s a competitive and challenging honors program if you want to apply.</p>
<p>I would suggest Stanford (even though you mentioned already knowing about it), just because the financial aid tends to span between good and amazing. Schools like UNC Chapel Hill and UVA also have great engineering, if you want to go bigger.</p>
<p>UT will not give much, if any aid, to an OOS applicant so that won’t work. Rutgers may (I don’t know). </p>
<p>OP, in your chances thread you don’t mention GPA or class rank. What are those?</p>
<p>My school doesn’t rank or assign a GPA but I have been able to keep all A’s (90+) since I’ve been here. I think there have been about 4 other students who have been able to do the same, so as far as “rank” is concerned, somewhere in the top 5 (out of ~75).</p>
<p>U of AZ should give you some merit aid.</p>
<p>For the sun (warmth) worshipper: </p>
<p>Out west, 2nd Harvey Mudd along with the obvious Caltech and Stanford. Would probably avoid UCLA, UCSD, and Berkeley with Cal state financial crisis. Duke, Emory and Vanderbilt in the southeast. Rice and UT (Honors) if you’re willing to leave the country.</p>
<p>If you can handle colder weather, the ivys and Northwestern fit the bill. I’d also strongly consider Carnegie Mellon if CS is important in your engineering - math - science continuum. I’ll admit Pittsburgh’s UV index is not quite at the level of SoCal.</p>
<p>Remember, if you’re truly low income, merit aid may be moot - so long as school guarantees to meet need you may be surprised at the generousity that greets you.</p>
<p>And don’t sell yourself short - your stats and an Okie drivers license may be just the ticket to multiple admission and merit aid offers.</p>
<p>I’m not so sure about the CS - I think I may just go for Computer Engineering and get the best of both worlds as far as EE and CS are concerned. Carnegie Mellon does look attractive though. I will do some research on the schools you mentioned. Speaking of that, does anyone have any suggestions for informative websites when researching universities? I find that the university’s actual webpage is often quite vague and uninformative.</p>
<p>I’m not too sure how to play the hardship card without giving off the “pity me” vibe. Without sounding presumptuous, I feel I have dealt with more than average amount. My parents got divorced when I was young. I was sent to live with my mom, and she has been addicted to drugs since I was little. I moved to live with my dad in Oklahoma after 8th grade, but he died when I was 16. I live with my grandparents now, and their only source of income is social security benefits. I am actually able to dress well and own a few nice things because my grandparents saved well, but they definitely don’t have the financial security to fund an undergraduate education. In a nutshell, that is my situation.</p>
<p>EDIT: Thanks for the words of encouragement. I just know how crazy college admissions can really be. I also am fearful that in the search for prestige I may overlook a university I could truly be happy at.</p>