Help!! which universities to choose??

College Search & Selection
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<p>Im an international student, who is having a gap year. I got BBB in A'levels. I have good leadership certificates, good recommendation letters and good GPA history, Good math but a bad critical reading and writing score on SAT. In gap year, I have been doing volunteer work and internships.
I want to do my undergrad in United states in civil engineering from a good and reputable university. I have applied to Worcester polytechnic institute, Arizona State University and Florida tech. I have applied for financial aid in Worcester polytechnic and florida tech, but I dont want to go in small schools.. I like big Universities, where i could be able to participate in many extra curricular activities. But most importantly, I want to earn huge bucks.
What should I do now??
I want to apply to "minnesota - twin cities"(love it, less tuition, but afraid that deadlines are over and I will be considered on space available basis), "purdue"(very xpensive, can't apply), "louisiana state" (coz it offers scholarship), "colorado state" (i think it is good in civil engineering, but Is it good?? reallyy!!?? Will it make me earn good money?? like about 60K).
I have just let penn state and NC state cross the deadline cuz they are costly and don't offer aid or scholarship.</p>

<p>I have some other choices, like City college - CUNY (grove colg of engineering), SUNY stony brook, Missouri U of science and tech and polytechnic institute of NYU.. All are in reach except polytechnic institute of NYU... </p>

<p>Now tell me guys, what sould i do?? I want to be a big man.. I want to open my chances of future. I want to enjoy prestige. I need the institution which prepares me to earn good money as well as prepare me for grad school.. I have another plan, maybe dream, to get MBA from top college (harvard, dartmouth).. I want to enjoy my 4 years too. I think there is v les enjoyment in technological institutes.. </p>

<p>Plz help me with lots of posts urgently, cuz Purdue's deadline is 1st march, Others are near too</p>

<p>Note: I have been selected by University of Liverpool, Queen's University - belfast, City U london, Brunel U west london and kinston U already, but dont want to go to UK. I am a pakistani. Also tell me about canadian universities</p>

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<p>30 views… 0 replies… Plz do something guys…
PLEASE!!! :(</p>

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<p>Hi,</p>

<p>What is your budget?</p>

<p>You want to major in Civil Engineering and make big bucks. What is the avg salary of a civil engineer. I thought it was lower than other engineering specialties…but, I may be mistaken.</p>

<p>What are your SAT and ACT scores?</p>

<p>Purdue is great for engineering. Is money a concern?</p>

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<p>critical reading 430
maths 710
writing 450</p>

<p>Budget is max of $20000
yes money is a concern</p>

<p>Actually, I wanted to do nuclear engineering, but visa officer told me that you’ll not be given a visa for nuclear engg…
Then, I chose petroleum engineering, everybody including my father said that petroleum is not a good choice in undergrad level, maybe you wont get job for petroleum engg, maybe petrol finish from the earth in 5-6 years then waht will you do, there will be no jobs…
After then I chose Civil, cuz my interests are drawing, architecture, archaeology, maths. But I also like mechanics, now i could also choose mechanical. But another tension arises in my mind is: “maybe admission in civil engineering is easier than mechanical or electrical or computer engg.”</p>

<p>Obama points that future for civil engg and environmental engg is bright… so thats also the reason for me to choose civil…</p>

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<p>O’levels aggregate percentage was 85
A’levels aggregate percentage is 88</p>

<p>Named school headboy in O-level3
Named Class prefect in O-level2
Got good recommendation letters from teachers
Captained the school badminton team for three years
Also played in school cricket team for three years
Like to play many other sports
Like to study Archaology, history, different languages, science and maths in libraries
Have done volunteer work in my gap year and lookin forward to do more
have done internship for one month with industrial hygienists (Branch of Environmental engineering)</p>

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<p>Mom!! some other universities I’d like to talk about:-----</p>

<p>NC state
Louisiana state
colorado state
SUNY buffalo, binghamton, stony brook
CUNY city college (grove)
Polytechnic U of NYU
Kettering U
Iowa state
U of Iowa
Auburn U
Clemson U
U Illinois (one f my favs)
texas A&M (one of my favs)
Penn State (one of my favs)</p>

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<p>Hi,</p>

<p>OK…You have a good list. Some will accept you, but your CR score is a problem. However, if you can only afford $20k per year (and you’ll have to show that for your VISA), then I don’t understand your list. </p>

<p>LSU might give you some money, but I don’t think the others will. Does Auburn give scholarships to int’ls? With an 1140 combined M+CR SAT, I’m not sure who would give you much money. </p>

<p>How do you expect to afford schools like UIUC, Penn St, TAMU, etc? They aren’t going to financially help you.</p>

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<p>“Named school headboy in O-level3”</p>

<p>This might take a little explaining…</p>

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<p>Making big bucks has more to do with individual talent and connections rather than a BIG university, just my two cents. Going to a big university has more to do with providing adamant opportunities to be successful but at the end of the day its you who has to really put the struggle.</p>

<p>I appreciate the fact that you’re aiming at middle-tier universities. They seem to be the ideal options for you now… Look at transfer options for later on.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

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<p>HI MOM</p>

<p>Well, Im not applying to UIUC, PennState, Purdue, TAMU as my CR score hinders me to do so… UIUC, PennState, Purdue, Clemson and Auburn are outta reach; Auburn and clemson don’t provide aid and scholarships… </p>

<p>Today I contacted NCstate and Minnesota and they said that they have got record number of applications this year (25000 for NCSU and 35000 for Minnesota, both hav to accept 5500 students)… So what do you say about these?? Should I apply in one of them??</p>

<p>Louisiana state, colorado state, SUNY buffalo, binghamton, stony brook, CUNY city college (grove), Polytechnic U of NYU, Iowa state, U of Iowa
What do u suggest about these??
louisiana state, SUNY Stonybrook are cheap and offers some scholarships… SUNY buffalo and binghamton are cheap but dont offer scholarships…
CUNY City college has tuition of $13k and is easy to enter so I think I have a shot there…
Question is that do they have good and reputable undergraduate engineering program??</p>

<p>Polytechnic U of NYU offers max of $16k in scholarships which is very tough to score… and their total expense exceeds $40k, so I think I better forget it…</p>

<p>Now, What about UIowa and IAstate?? Do tell about UNE-lincoln, UMO-columbia, UUT-slc, UKS, KSstate and NMtech?? Do they hav repute in Undergraduate engineering?</p>

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<p>Yes TALHA, ur rite… Actually, I was a great student before A’levels… I held some leadership positions in O’levels and hav a remarkable record, but after facing tragedies, My studies got disturbed as u can c by SAT score… Now I want to get in a good University and to extract the best out of me again… To get good education, to have good teachers, to have good campus life (enjoyment, versatile library, various opportunities ), to hav good job, is all I want…
Im positive that I will really put the struggle in my time there, but what happens If I dont even able select one good univ??? </p>

<p>By the way, dont offer luck wishes at this time, its very early, lol…
Do some practical help on makin my decisions… I need it early, deadlines are approaching… i will b thankful</p>

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<p>Well, Im not applying to UIUC, PennState, Purdue, TAMU as my CR score hinders me to do so… UIUC, PennState, Purdue, Clemson and Auburn are outta reach; Auburn and clemson don’t provide aid and scholarships…</p>

<p>Ahhh…I was thinking that you had applied to them or were considering them.</p>

<p>The problem I see is that you say that your budget is $20k max, yet your schools have COAs that are higher than that. Keep in mind that each school has a COA for internationals that they have to show that they have funding for before a VISA is granted. Schools like Iowa State and UIowa have COAs that are around $30k per year. </p>

<p>*
CUNY City college has tuition of $13k and is easy to enter so I think I have a shot there.*</p>

<p>Yes, but tuition is only part of the cost. You have to add another $12k for room, board, books…and you have to add several more thousand for transportation & personal expenses. The COA for that CUNY is well above your $20k budget. Have you found out how much CUNY will require you to show funding for to get your VISA? </p>

<p>[Frequently</a> Asked Questions (FAQ)](<a href=“http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/current/financial/faqs.cfm#CP_JUMP_1016175]Frequently”>http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/current/financial/faqs.cfm#CP_JUMP_1016175)</p>

<p>How much of a scholarship will you get from LSU? If you get one, will it be affordable?</p>

<p>are you sure that you can only come up with $20k per year?</p>

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<p>Don’t worry about COA, I have some rich uncles and aunts. I can use their (as my sponser) bank statement as a proof of expenses… Don’t worry about visa…</p>

<p>Actually, this “max of $20k” is the amount that I (and my Dad) are able to pay…
Also, I can handle my living expenses easily; I will eat cheap, I will find a cheap room to live, I will just live a little low, so I will afford my living easily… Also, some of my relatives are in NY (one family in brooklyn area and other in some long Island or “some name like that” area), so it’ll be very easy to live in NY…
As in other states, i will live low and this issue is gone…</p>

<p>Now, It is obviously of no problem to pay about $15k as “Tuition and fees”…
The issue that I want to discuss with you is everything but issue of visa… By the way thankyou for paying heed in realizing me of the visa obligations…</p>

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<p>For LSU, I think I’ll get 60% of tuition waived off… It’ll surely be in range… But LSU is my not my preference, It’s my last option…</p>

<p>Please answer these questions, I just asked before:-
"Now, What about UIowa and IAstate?? Do tell about UNE-lincoln, ccny-CUNY, SUNY buffalo, stony brook, UMO-columbia, UUT-slc, UKS, KSstate and NMtech?? Do they hav “repute in Undergraduate engineering”?
What will be my future as a grad of these universities?
Will it pay me back??</p>

<p>N should I apply to minnesota??
Do answer graciously mom…</p>

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<p>^
Yes University of Iowa is a very respected university as is all Big Ten schools. Your future after attending the University of Iowa I doubt would be any less positive than if you would have attended a more reptubale school. If your successful at the school academically it should pay off with vast opportunities for your future.</p>

<p>I can not answer for the other schools you posted in the comment above as I did not apply nor have done much research into any. I could possibly be attending the University of Iowa next year myself.</p>

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<p>I think applying to UMinn, Iowa, UN-L, and Iowa St are fine if you think you can handle the costs and the deadlines haven’t passed. They will all educate you well in Engineering. I don’t know about those other schools.</p>

<p>I can understand that you might be able to live with relatives in NY, but I’m trying to figure out how you can live “cheaply” in those other states or in NY areas that your relatives don’t live. What do you mean by “living cheaply”? This is the United States…we don’t really have really cheap places to live. Won’t you have to rent some place to live? Do any of these schools require freshmen to live on campus? If so, you’ll have to have the money for that. </p>

<p>What do you think the cheapest place to rent will cost each month (including utilities, etc).</p>

<p>I think that your best best is to live in NY with relatives and go to school there. I really do not see how it will be financially feasible for you to live elsewhere unless a big scholarship is given. How close does your family live to CUNY?</p>

<p>Does anyone else?</p>

<p>For LSU, I think I’ll get 60% of tuition waived off… It’ll surely be in range… But LSU is my not my preference, It’s my last option…</p>

<p>You should at least apply there. Why is that your LAST option?</p>

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<p>University of Iowa +1</p>

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<p>A friend of mine is attending BYU and is paying $240/month for room and utilities…
Another person in Houston lives with his family for just $1000 per month…
Family of four person (mom, dad, son, daughter) live in brooklyn with a total expense of $900 per month
so why couldn’t I??</p>

<p>CUNY is in a 10 minutes cycle ride…</p>

<p>Yes I am applying there too… LSU is my last option because they aren’t ranked (peer assessment as well as salary potential) in top 100 universities for undergraduate engineering…</p>

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<p>N can I ask u something personsal???</p>

<p>What is ur name and are u really a mom?? :P</p>

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<p>^^^</p>

<p>LOL…are you asking if I am really a mom??? Yes, I am a mom of 2 college kids. Others here can back me up on that. Why are you asking?</p>

<p>A friend of mine is attending BYU and is paying $240/month for room and utilities…
Another person in Houston lives with his family for just $1000 per month…
Family of four person (mom, dad, son, daughter) live in brooklyn with a total expense of $900 per month
so why couldn’t I??</p>

<p>I’m not sure which price you think will apply to you living alone? I’m sure others will back me up, but I don’t see you being able to live (rent, food, etc) for less than $500 a month. You can’t look at what a family of 4 pays as a group for rent. It’s not like if one moves out, their rent goes down 25%. </p>

<p>The BYU deal may be somehow church-related. I wouldn’t be surprised if people who live by BYU rent out rooms in their homes cheaply as some kind of ministry to students.</p>

<p>I still think your best best is the CUNY where you could live with family for cheap/free. Once you make friends on campus, it’s going to be hard to live as cheaply as you may think. When friends are going out after class to some off-campus hangout, that will cost money.</p>

<p>As for LSU…I have no idea of what LSU is ranked for salary potential by some list. I doubt UA Huntsville is on that list either, yet their engineers graduate with jobs - well paid jobs.</p>