<p>Hey guys I am currently looking to add 1 or 2 more schools to apply to. My interests are in science and engineering (physics, materials science, electrical and aeronautical engineering). </p>
<p>I've applied to UMich, Michigan State, and U of Minnesota. I got my acceptance letter like a week after I submitted my app to MSU, but the others haven't replied yet. Where else might be some good schools for my interests? </p>
<p>I don't really like super tiny schools and I love schools with the old Gothic buildings and the sort of ivy league-ish look, but that isn't a huge factor. I am also a resident of Michigan. Please don't worry about cost, I can look into that myself once I get some responses. </p>
<p>Here are my stats:</p>
<p>GPA: 3.87 (will raise based on this semester's grades to hopefully 3.9)
85th-ish percentile in my class of about 180 kids (might be a little higher)
I have received all As last year year. I was a bit of a slacker freshmen and sophomore years.</p>
<p>APs:
Calc AB
AP english 12
AP physics C
Ap government
Currently dual enrolled taking Calculus II</p>
<p>ACT: 30</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
Varsity hockey 2 years
Avid snowboarder - all throughout high school
NHS
I also participated in a peer mentoring program where i helped a special needs kid with his classwork for a semester in my civics/economics class while i was a freshmen.
I have worked 2 summers 30-40 hours a week at a bakery making pastries
Also had a job painting house working a little less hours than past jobs.
I also play an instrument.</p>
<p>I have about 60ish service hours so nothing significant.</p>
<p>My Common App essay is pretty good (at least I like to think so).</p>
<p>What can you actually afford? We could make a lot of suggestions, but honestly many would be a waste of time if you aren’t eligible for needs based aid or can’t afford much. You have hit on probably the three most affordable options that also meet your criteria of large schools, since you are in-state for two and U of MN has relatively inexpensive OOS tuition. </p>
<p>Hm alright well I’d say that high priced/low aid giving schools are out. For example, I really love UIUC, but they’re uber expensive and I’ve read that they don’t give much aid.</p>
<p>You need to realize that you will get little aid at the vast majority of OOS public Us. For the most part their aid is reserved for in-state students. Is your family low income so you would qualify for FA or are you really looking for merit aid?</p>
<p>I believe our income is around 50-60k so I expect so FA. That’s exactly why I had to drop UIUC off my list. Minnesota, however, has a low OOS tuition. My best bet out of state would be private universities. </p>
<p>I’ve been diggin around and looked at NE University and Boston University. How are those schools in the areas I mentioned above? </p>
<p>Might look at Holy Cross very good school with strong science programs. HC has very nice campus 1 hour from Boston. Holy Cross meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. HC WEBSITE IS VERY INFORMATIVE.</p>
<p><a href=“http://academics.holycross.edu/physics/courses”>http://academics.holycross.edu/physics/courses</a> indicates that Holy Cross physics is somewhat limited – no advanced lab course and only one semester of advanced quantum mechanics or electromagnetism (and most advanced courses are offered once every two years. There is also no engineering other than preparation for a 3+2 program (with Columbia, which does not promise good financial aid for transfers).</p>
<p>So it is probably not a good academic fit for a student intending to major in physics or some kind of engineering.</p>
<p>I’ve been told holy cross in the past, but there’s that no engineering aspect that makes it pretty unfavorable. I realize that UMich is probably my best bet, but I just want another backup besides MSU if I happen to not be accepted.</p>
<p>If family income is < $60,000, would Minnesota’s list price be anywhere close to affordable? Have you checked the net price calculator at every college’s web site?</p>
<p>Around similar list price range as Minnesota would be Iowa State, Stony Brook, NCSU, and Cal Poly (but Cal Poly would not be a safety).</p>
<p>If you want to consider small inexpensive schools with engineering, take a look at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.</p>
<p>You list a wide range of majors, and a very cool sport. Some more affordable colleges in the Rockies include Montana State, Utah, Utah State and Wyoming. </p>
<p>Boulder was one of the schools I’ve looked at, but if I remember correctly, it was a little too expensive stony brook has sent me a lot of mail but I’ve never looked into them. I think I’ll take a look at them. Thanks!</p>
<p>Have you looked across the border at UToronto or UBC? Deciphering potential financial aid (aka bursaries) may call for a full pot of coffee and a couple of sandwiches.</p>
<p>I haven’t really thought about Canada, but it sounds cool to me. Is it difficult going to school from the states to canada or is it an easy process? Are you saying that it takes a while to figure out the financial aid?</p>
<p>You won’t find much that would beat Michigan’s in-state costs, but if you look to Canada, you should also investigate McGill. Some nice FA for US applicants, and excellent skiing nearby. Don’t you get reciprocity with UW Madison? Other publics with good engineering programs, and least partly in your areas of interest: Penn State, Virginia Tech, and Ohio State. Still OOS costs, but less than privates.</p>
<p>Application process to Canadian universities is straightforward, in a convoluted, bureaucratic sort of way. Meaning no essays, no interviews; just follow directions and meticulously fill out tedious forms. Financial aid is unfamiliar. US Federal Loans (not grants) will cross the border with you. It sounds like you may be just out of the eligibility range for Pell Grants (and SEOGs) anyway, so I thought it would be a good back up. Costs are competitive.</p>
<p>Mainly, I just wanted to point you in the direction to investigate it for yourself. I think it may be a good “safety” alternative. McGill has a great reputation. For some reason UToronto and UBC have better ‘ratings’, and UToronto certainly has the architecture you like.</p>
stony brook has sent me a lot of mail but I’ve never looked into them. I think I’ll take a look at them. Thanks!</p>