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<p>I think it’s a very good list. Given your parents income, it’s important that they clarify what they intend to contribute. Borrowing money is fine as long as it’s THEIR loans beyond the Stafford loans. I might even go borrow a bit more for you go to one of the privates on your list. Perhaps 15K/year. </p>
<p>If they balk, then you need to completely change your strategy. Colleges expect parents to pay for college in this country. The privates on your list award no merit aid. You will probably get some financial aid. </p>
<p>So basically, I would drop Berkeley and Michigan because they are as expensive as privates and will offer you no aid, no merit. </p>
<p>I would add the University of Illinois because they have a competitive full ride scholarship that you might just get. Your stats are off the charts. </p>
<p>I would look into Cooper Union. It’s a fiercely competitive school that used to be free but I think is half priced now. It might even be commutable for you depending on where you live in NJ. If you can commute, it would only cost you $21K plus the cost of commuting. From parts of NJ it’s not even a bad commute. If you live near a NJTransit line that goes into Penn Station, it’s only a few stops down from Penn Station on the Broadway local. </p>
<p>As far as high quality engineering schools that have lower list prices, consider
Rutgers 25K (Clearly Rutgers have the cost advantage here, but you might as well explore other options too if you want to).
University of Minnesota 30K
North Carolina State University 30K
SUNY Stony Brook 32K
SUNY Buffalo 32K
Some Canadian schools have costs in this range. You have to check for specifics. Consider McGill, Toronto, and University of British Columbia. </p>
<p>vs
Purdue 39K
Georgia Tech 41K
Texas 46K
Michigan 52K
Berkeley 51K</p>
<p>These costs are all for Tuition room and board except Cooper Union which is just tuition in light of the half tuition scholarship</p>
<p>As a financial safety, you should apply to University of Alabama where you’ll get a full-tuition scholarship, though I don’t think the engineering is in the same league and it would be unfortunate if cheap parents caused you to go there. But you can apply there and possibly use it as leverage. </p>
<p>University of Pittsburgh also has full rides that you would be very competitive for. </p>
<p>So basically, you should do some research on full-ride merit scholarships at high quality engineering schools and apply even if they are competitive. You have very impressive stats. </p>
<p>Good luck. </p>