Looking for match schools for physics and com sci

College Search & Selection
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<p>We are looking for advice/input on schools in the "match" range. Also, thoughts on determining a school is a match much appreciated. At this time I am talking only about admissions, not considering financials (we have reasons for this--I know it is a vital component). We have been looking through and comparing several common data sets but it is starting to overwhelm. </p>

<p>I posted almost 2 years ago and got wonderful lists of schools across the spectrum for science and engineering. I'd love to get focused ideas of good match schools for admittance for the kids. We want to explore options between Big State U and MIT/Stanford etc. (reaches, we all know). </p>

<p>DS#1, grade 10, is interested in physics and plans on grad school (he is set on physics and I am pretty sure this is a decided major for him). DS #2, grade 9, is interested in Comp Engineering or Comp Sci. DS#2 does have more varied interests compared to older son but programming is where he invests the most energy and where he finds enjoyment. </p>

<p>Midwest public high school does not weigh gpa or rank.
Both kids are solid A+ students so far (I know they are young but they set the standards for themselves and I suspect the trend will continue). </p>

<p>They plan on 5-9 AP classes by the end of high school along with 4-6 semester classes at our local state U (in physics, programming and calculus). They will both start taking classes at the U their Jr year.</p>

<p>They have taken or will take dual credit classes in engineering offered at the high school (CAD, general engineering) </p>

<p>SATs 2200 range.</p>

<p>For ECs: Taekwondo, science club, physics club, mentor a community robotics club, mentor a community computer game programming club. Not in leadership positions or national competitions. They are contemplative and introverted. They enjoy watching MIT open course ware, Coursera, Crash course history videos, etc. Non-religious.</p>

<p>Son interested in physics is applying for a summer research program in physics at Univ of Iowa and has a good chance of being admitted. If he isn't admitted, he has a back up plan arranged for interning in a Chemistry lab at the U. </p>

<p>Son interested in Comp Sci hopes to intern at a local engineering firm next year and will probably get a part time job this summer.</p>

<p>Any advice on potential colleges would be much appreciated. Our state U is a definite possibility but we want to explore options -- obtainable options.</p>

2

<p>The problem is, your kids don’t really have match schools. At the top of the range, where they are, all schools are reach schools!</p>

<p>Make sure their college classes during high school are coded as dual enrollment so they don’t find out that they are actually transfer students.</p>

<p>Schools I’d recommend for both are Harvey Mudd, Caltech, Rose Hulman, Case Western, Rice. Also Carnegie Mellon for the CS kid. My son is very happy as a CS/Math major at Harvey Mudd.</p>

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<p>Actually, students at the top end of the range should have numerous safeties to choose from.</p>

<p>Fortunately, many midwest state flagship universities are excellent in many subjects, including those described. If your state is one whose flagship university is such a school, it would be a solid addition to the application list.</p>

<p>How big a concern is cost and financial aid?</p>

4

<p>I think I understand what GM means about them all being reaches. I was feeling something similar as we started researching schools. Schools (even semi-selective schools) that are apparent good fits, have such low admission rates that they end up actually being reaches or like playing the lottery. For tech/science focused colleges with higher acceptance rates, and as such, more in the “safety” area, I would just as soon see them attend our state U (Univ. of Iowa). They both are ambitious and while they are also realistic (to a degree, and you know, for teens, but they fully understand the unpredictability of admission to top schools) they want to go to challenging schools. </p>

<p>Financial aid is a concern, but we have some variables hard to predict. We have an EFC around 28-32k which we can manage (gulp). We have real estate but in a volatile market area so I am hesitant to count on selling that at all. Grandparents are around and willing to help out also.</p>

<p>My secret hope is that they will get attached to the U and decide to get undergrad degrees here. There are programs that would allow them to enter their Sr. year in high school or graduate in 3 years. But, knowing them, they have to strive for top schools. They will feel disappointed in themselves if they don’t try and of course I would be thrilled for them to get into any school of their choice. We are all clueless about where to apply beyond caltech/mit/stanford. They have been watching MIT open course ware for years so I think the MIT name is forever engraved in their minds. We need to expand though and hopefully avoid regrets later. </p>

<p>Thanks so much for your replies.</p>

5

<p>Don’t forget to consider Iowa State as well. Lower cost out of state public universities include Minnesota (though it is considering raising the price), Stony Brook (and other SUNYs), NCSU, Virginia Tech, and Cal Poly SLO, which may be within reach if you mean $28-32k each, as opposed to both (or if one gets a full ride somewhere leaving the full amount for the other).</p>

<p>If you can afford the financial aid EFC, you may have a reasonable chance at affordability at the various (mostly highly selective private) schools that claim to meet full need. Try their net price calculators.</p>

<p>What you may want to do is discuss with them about the cost constraints, which may help them strive for looking for the largest scholarships at schools desirable to them.</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for the info. We will look into them. </p>

<p>We mean 28-32 total, not each. I am concerned about the financial aid process/uncertainty when DS #2 starts college, one year after DS#1.</p>

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<p>In that case, you probably want to run net price calculators using the hypothetical of two kids in college, to determine if the net price of both put together is within your affordable range.</p>

<p>Here are some competitive full ride scholarships to apply to:
NCSU: Park
UNC-CH: Morehead-Cain
UNC-CH and Duke: Robertson
Georgia Tech: President’s (there are full ride, full tuition, and lesser awards)</p>

<p>If affordability of UI and ISU are iffy, then consider the following for safeties:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-14.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-14.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>[IOWACOLLEGEAID</a> - Out-of-State Tuition Discount Programs](<a href=“http://www.iowacollegeaid.gov/FinancialAidProcess/outofstateprograms.html]IOWACOLLEGEAID”>http://www.iowacollegeaid.gov/FinancialAidProcess/outofstateprograms.html)</p>

<p>These might also be safety options for you. The wesite might also offer some additional advice.</p>

9

<p>I believe Rose-Hulman would be a safety for admission if their stats continue to be this strong and if they submit apps there early in the fall semester. I’m not familiar with their aid packages, so cost could be a concern there. Still, it’s nice to get an admission letter back in fall before the ED decisions come out, so I recommend applying there.</p>