<p>Hi!! As the title says, I really need to narrow down my college list so I don't have to spend nearly 1000$ on application fees xD
I'm really curious on getting first-hand information on these colleges from alumnis (especially your opinion on the quality of teachers/learning experience, how much you're challenged, the availability of research, the general atmosphere like if the people there tend to be super competitive or friendlier xD, THE FINANCIAL AID, and any other input you think might help me!). Some info about myself: I'm a girl. I want to major in physics (applied and theoretical) and/or electrical engineering :D </p>
<p>Postive I'm applying too, but would like more info: MIT, Caltech, Princeton, Carnegie Mellon, University of Illinois, Rutgers, Harvard (although I strongly doubt I'll get in...but...might as well try...right?)</p>
<p>Debating: Cornell (my parents think that due to its isolated location, I'll become depressed....what are your experiences at cornell?), Harvey Mudd, UCBerkeley (I heard that the UCs are lacking in money right now so I'm probably unlikely to get money if I get in or something >.>....is this true Q.Q?), UC Santa Barbara (I heard some great things about its physics department!), WPI, RPI, Georgia Tech, and University of Chicago</p>
<p>It seems like you want to do a STEM major so</p>
<p>Remove: Harvard,</p>
<p>If you need Fin Aid remove (assuming oos) Remove: UCB, UCSB (Depending on whether you are qualified for GT merit scholarship you may want to remove that)</p>
<p>wait isn’t U of Chicago ranked in the top 5 nationally for physics though and I thought Harvard had a great physics program too…although, besideds their reputation I don’t know much xD</p>
<p>I guess I should take off UCB and UCSB ):, if the college isn’t MIT/Caltech, then financial aid is a must xD</p>
<p>Assuming you live in California, I’d keep UCSB on your list. It has a fantastic program called College of Creative Studies, which I’ve heard functions much like a graduate program for undergraduate students. It’s very difficult to get into for most students, but if you’re a serious contender for MIT/CalTech, you’ll likely be accepted. Both of my bosses are engineers and they think extremely highly of UCSB’s physics and engineering programs. Additionally, the UCs have something called Regents for high stats in state students. It’s a merit scholarship on top of financial aid. If you’re not from CA, don’t bother applying to the UCs. You won’t be able to afford it.</p>
<p>actually, I’m not from california . I was hoping that the UCs would have some sort of merit scholarship, but, you’re right; even if I did recieve some merit scholarship, it probably wouldn’t be much, not enough compared to how expensive the UCs are.</p>
<p>DON’T TAKE OFF THE UC’S!!! If you are really amazing, UC’s will give you a Regent’s Scholarship (which is merit based), and that would ease financial stress. Caltech is wonderful (both my parents went there and loved it, although it’s quite a nerd school lol :D) and I know it has a great physics program, so does MIT. Hmm I haven’t heard much about Uchicago’s physics program…it has always positioned itself as more of an intellectual/philosophical school.
I don’t know much about Cornell’s phsyics program, but I do know A LOTTT of people who go to cornell, and they love it! The rural-ness is part of the allure, but I can understand how Cornell is not for everyone, especially for city/urban residents. You should take a campus tour of Cornell sometime, to see if you like the atmosphere and environment.
I’m assuming rutgers is a safety?</p>
<p>At UCs, need-based financial aid will not cover the out of state tuition supplement – check the net price calculators. Their web sites are vague about how much the Regents’ Scholarships actually give (the scholarships are awarded on merit, but the amount is based on need, and it is not clear how out of state is handled here). The UCs are not otherwise known for huge merit scholarships (yes, there is Drake at Berkeley, but for mechanical engineering students only). Consider them high reaches based on cost if you are out of state.</p>
<p>What your actual price limit is can determine what may be appropriate financially. For example, if about $30,000 per year is within range, some schools with out of state list prices in that range include Minnesota, Stony Brook, Virginia Tech, NCSU, Cal Poly SLO, and Iowa State. If you have high stats, there are also some schools with big automatic merit scholarships. Competitive big merit scholarships include President’s at Georgia Tech and Park at NCSU.</p>
<p>Illinois is state school so little to no FA. Carnegie Mellon has little FA also. Chicago has no engineering but has a strong physics program. Cornell is good. Don’t worry about the isolation, there’s plenty of things to do on campus. University of Rochester > RPI in my opinion. Look at it. It’s curriculum is really unique. Don’t constrain yourself to just "Tech"s. UC’s are tight on money. Be sure you can afford it even if you get the scholarships.</p>
<p>tbh, I haven’t really visited any colleges yet (my excuse is that I was away at an engineering camp for a month XP, but then I’m also kind of a procrastinator…)
Since I’m going to Massachusetts soon, I’m planning on visiting the colleges there first. I’ve always lived in urban/suburban, but I like surburban a lot more, so maybe Cornell won’t make me feel depressed…? I plan on visiting it too to see for myself (how’s the merit scholarship/aid though?). I’ve never really heard much about U of Rochester before; out of pure curiosity, why is it better than RPI in your opinion, kissmeimnotirish?
and yes I always thought UChicago was more of a humanities-based school, so I was surprised that it was so highly ranked in physics, but I guess it’s theoretical physics so…? xD that’s another reason why I’m really curious about what makes UChicago’s physics program so great!
Someone I know who isn’t from Illinois either got a full ride there, and I have friends going to Carnegie Mellon who said the FA was really good. My parents Want me to those colleges anyways; they really like them haha.
i’m also in a dilemna when applying to colleges: I really want to do theoretical physics but I also recognize how competitive of a field it is, so I can’t decide between that or EE…also, is it better to BS in applied physics, then do engineering for grad?</p>
and I thought Harvard had a great physics program too…although, besideds their reputation I don’t know much xD</p>
. I was hoping that the UCs would have some sort of merit scholarship, but, you’re right; even if I did recieve some merit scholarship, it probably wouldn’t be much, not enough compared to how expensive the UCs are.</p>