Help. Safety/Matches (average student)

<p>I'm having trouble finding some safety/match schools. I'm looking for a college with a good Electrical Engineering program, but one that also offers other programs such as languages (Chinese, Japanese or French), philosophy, and other similar subjects. I'm also interested in research and pharmacy. I'd prefer it to be some what medium in terms of size and in an urban setting but it's not a huge factor. I'm from a low income (30,000) family so financial aid is needed.</p>

<p>Senior in HS
Female
White (50%), Black (50%)
GPA: 3.2 (UW) (Hoping to raise to 3.4 by end of the year)
1st Quarter GPA - 3.81
SAT I - 1000 (CR/M), retaking in Dec.
ACT - 26, retaking in Dec.
Decent EC's
AP's: Eng. Lang - 3, Psych - 3 (retaking this year), Chem (enrolled now)</p>

<p>Classes this Semester
English 12 (Honors)
Foundations of College Algebra
Pre-Calculus (Honors)
Office Systems Management (Honors)
Chemistry (AP)
Personal Law
Fashion Merch.</p>

<p>Priority App's received/applying to:
Drexel
Washington College
Fordham
NYU Poly
RPI
University of Richmond</p>

<p>Other Colleges I'm looking at:
University of the Pacific
University of Illinois - Chicago
Georgia Tech
UMD - College Park
Penn State
Bucknell
University of Portland
Reed College</p>

<p>I think that's it. Please be free to list some other schools that I might be interested in. Thanks for the help.</p>

<p>A couple of comments:</p>

<p>Reed College, Washington College, University Of Richmond DO NOT OFFER engineering.</p>

<p>2nd comment: scrap University Of Portland and NYU Poly from your list, not well known engineering programs.</p>

<p>Schools that are easy to get into with your stats that are top 50 in engineering:
Purdue, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, NC State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Colorado, Arizona State, and Iowa State (in order of reputation)</p>

<p>keep Penn State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, RPI and Bucknell. Look at the schools that I suggested for the rest of your applications.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

<p>Source: Me (I'm applying to engineering schools too!)</p>

<p>Your stats, even with 1000/1600 SAT and somewhat untraditional curric (fashion merchandising, "honors" office systems mgt, repeating AP psych), are already above the national average - - though admittedly a bit weak for some of the schools on your list. </p>

<p>If money is a concern, you should start by checking to see which of the schools on your current list meet 100% of demonstrated need (and remember there's often a gap b/c what the school calculates as need and what a family feels it can comfortably pay). You should also search for a CC thread titled "merit aid for B students." And, in terms of safety, you should make sure to have a finaicial safety - - usually your state uni.</p>

<p>It's difficult to suggest schools without knowing anything about your preferences or parameters. And, I don't see any particularl rhyme or reason to you list. Are you completing all/most of the priority apps you receive? Or completing all free apps? Or does that list represent schools in which you are particularly interested? (FYI: google "free college applications" for the cite listing free apps and their requirements - - free if you apply on-line; free if you complete an athletic questionnaire, etc.)</p>

<p>The only general advice I can offer is give the women's college a good hard look. They are often a great bet for young women with above average (but not stellar) academic profiles who might not make the cut at coed schools where, to get a balanced class, boys often an admission advantage. The top women's colleges all have relationships w/ engineering graduate prgms. In addition, Smith offers an engineering major and I think at Wellesley you can cross-register at MIT. The women's college are also strong in the humanities (language, philosophy), have small classes, easy access to top-drawer faculty and an abundance of reseach opptys.</p>

<p>Finally, post on the Parents board - - you'll get more adult responses.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

<p>The priority apps are the ones with the fee waivers, personal statements instead of essays, ect. Sorry if that caused any confusion. Those aren't all of the ones I've received (which were all via email), but they are the ones I'm going to complete.</p>

<p>I'm not retaking AP Psyc, just the exam.</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses so far.</p>

<p>What's the difference b/w a personal statement and an essay?</p>

<p>there is no difference, a personal statement is a type of essay</p>

<p>I just assumed I had less questions to answer or to write about.</p>