I have no idea where I want to go to college/what I want to study!

College Search & Selection
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@stressedgirl21 You have some great in-state options in NJ. At the risk of repeating myself from other threads, I have worked with a couple of people from Rutgers, and went to graduate school at a very highly ranked university along with other students who had done undergrad at Rutgers, and all were very top notch. Your grades look like they should be enough to get you in there and I think you would do very well. There are other good in-state choices in NJ as was mentioned above also. Given your financial limits (which apply to most students) I think that you should probably focus a significant amount of attention on your in-state schools. I know a couple of students with stats similar to your who got into BU and Northeastern but neither got financial aid so neither could go (and at least one of them preferred a different university anyway where they did get financial aid).

It is perfectly reasonable to enter university undecided on a major. However, once you get to university you will need to pick out classes so it will be useful to have some sense regarding for example whether to take math and engineering and CS classes, or take language and literature and history classes. I am sympathetic with your physics teacher’s comment about considering engineering, which IMHO is sort of a fancy name for “building cool stuff”. However, you have some time to think about various options.

22

@stressedgirl21 Relax. Most people know more about what they don’t want to do than what they do want to do. Google nihilism and existentialism (or existential nihilism). Use them in an essay to get an A. :slight_smile:

Back to college choices. As others said, you have a nice selection available here in NJ. Pick the one where you see yourself succeeding and making the right kind of friends. I’m twisted, but as a student (a long, long time ago) and now as a grandpa, I find visiting colleges to be a real enjoyable experience.

Most engineers I know didn’t stumble upon it as an afterthought - they’ve defined their purpose for years. It’s rigorous study, many projects. Requires passion, You don’t want to be the downer of the group. As far as credentials, you’re really close. Get that math score up a bit, and you could be in, if you want to be.

Your Dad is an engineer? What kind? Where did he go? Get some alone time with him to talk about it. If he’s like this Dad, he’ll be protective with his little girl. Guessing from your OP, if it’s engineering, you sound more like the civil, environmental, or biomed type. (Computer, electrical/electronic, and chemical engineers are really the more well-defined types) And the world is asking for more woman engineers. If that’s the case, forget CC. Engineering curricula at most schools I’m familiar with is pretty well set from the jump (general ed is incorporated with the engineer stuff and your AP stuff in HS), and you’ll want to get out in 4 years if you can.

@MYOS1634 made some great points, especially if you get your SAT math score near your SAT reading score - some schools (I’m thinking Rowan especially) might give a you bunch of merit aid, provided that you keep your GPA above 3. That’s far better than the STARS way. My engineer son got 4 years of tuition and housing at Rowan at the height of the economic crash.

If not engineering, there are a myriad of options. You could go to CC/STARS or even right into a 4-year college as undeclared, take the general ed classes, and decide from there when you identify a passion (probably no later than soph year).

Relax. You’ll be fine. Picking a path is fun!