<p>So far I'm applying to 8 schools (of which I have 6 somewhat/very high reaches: MIT, Rice, Vandy, Cornell, JHU, CMU). I only have 2 match/safeties (which include state school) and I really need more safeties to apply to. I prefer small private schools and East Coast is better than West. I'm also a potential engineering major. Any recommendations? </p>
<p>RPI isnt as selective as CMU/MIT but it is a really good engineering school, you might want to apply there as well </p>
<p>Drexel, Temple, Pitt, Northeastern, Tulane, Stevens Institute . . . </p>
<p>RPI, RIT, University of Rochester</p>
<p>match and safety may depend on your home state and credential.</p>
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Why do you need more safeties? A safety is a school you can afford, are certain of admission, and happy to attend. Why do you need more than 1-2?</p>
<p>It would help to have more schools to choose from and all the schools will probably offer different amounts of financial aid, which lets me pick a good deal.</p>
<p>I do understand if one want more low matches/safeties for a financial reason as merit scholarship is sometimes possible.</p>
<p>Bucknell? Worcester Polytechnic? Lehigh? Case Western?</p>
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<p>If money or admissions is an issue, then a student should have 2-3 financial safeties for a few reasons:</p>
<p>1) Sometimes a mistake is made and a safety turns out not to be a safety…maybe misunderstanding FA, maybe misunderstanding a scholarship req’t, maybe misunderstanding chances of admission, maybe parents can’t pay as much as they thought.</p>
<p>2) Sometimes a “liked” safety school becomes a “disliked” school by the time spring rolls around.</p>
<p>3) Sometimes the only admissions or affordable schools are the safeties, so having 2-3 financial safeties will allow the student to still have a choice come spring. No one likes to feel railroaded into one school. We’re Americans…we like CHOICE. lol ;)</p>
<p>I would also add that at least one safety should be a super-safety financially (LOW NET COST)…There have been situations where parents have said that they can pay - say $25k per year - and the safeties were chosen based on that figure…but then come spring they realize that they can’t pay that much - then having a super-financial-safety can come to the rescue.</p>
<p>I think it’s good to have several low-matches or safeties. One strategy is to identify some matches or low-matches with non-binding Early Decision or rolling admissions, and apply to them. This will alleviate any last-minute panic over finding a super-safety. </p>
<p>@woogzmama If it is non-binding, it is Early Action not Early Decision.</p>
<p>@billcsho -Right you are.</p>
<p>I think some of the best safeties are ones that have rolling admissions and award merit early. A student can apply now and have acceptance and merit award within a couple of weeks.</p>