<p>Hello, I am currently a junior in high school and have recently been trying to narrow my field of colleges. I live in a very small, rural town (40 students in my class). I'm very flexible when it comes to environment, so that's not a big factor on my selections. I really enjoy sports, but a school's athletic program won't sway me one way or the other. The career path I am hoping to pursue is Aerospace Engineering, with a focus in space as it has always been my dream to work at NASA (or in the future, private spacecraft companies).</p>
<p>In no particular order:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Natural choice, if I get accepted I'll find a way to go.
University of Texas at Austin
Missouri University of Science and Technology: In state, good engineering program, relatively small campus so could make an easier transition.
Purdue University
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Maryland College Park</p>
<p>I'm not opposed to colleges on the west coast, I just grew up on a farm and the whole California lifestyle just doesn't seem right for me. I would really appreciate any feedback, critiques of my selections, and possible additions to my list! Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>“Define “California lifestyle”? XD It’s a big place. There’s all kinds there.”
Sorry, I’m stereotyping. I’m just not a big fan of the west coast for some odd reason.</p>
<p>“It’ll help people suggest schools if you can provide your GPA and SAT scores.”
My GPA is 3.95 unweighted. I haven’t taken the SAT as the standard test in Missouri is the ACT, but on the PSAT my selection index was 205. I took the ACT in 7th grade and scored a 26 as well if that helps.</p>
<p>“I hope it was a very large farm. You will have trouble affording all those OOS public schools. What is your EFC?”
Actually, my parents are both teachers, we just live on my grandparents’ old farm. My EFC is right around $19,000. I’ll definitely be applying for all the scholarships I can.</p>
<p>You need a strategy based on your stats and your EFC.</p>
<p>applying for outside scholarships is often fruitless and often only provides small amounts of money for ONE year only. Then what do you do?</p>
<p>The best merit scholarships are given by schools that award them. They are for multi-year. Not all schools award merit scholarships, and some don’t award them to out of state kids. Also, most OOS publics do not help OOS students meet need (altho some will give scholarships.) That’s why you need a strategy. :)</p>
<p>if you got an ACT 26 as a 7th grader, I imagine that you’ll do well as a junior/senior. :)</p>
<p>Missouri may offer the ACT as “the standard test,” but that doesn’t mean that the SAT isn’t also offered (It has to be offered, since the NMSFs have to take it.) So, take that test, too.</p>
<p>Re: merit scholarships from universities…</p>
<p>Some colleges offer competitive scholarships. So, many kids are competing for a limited number of awards. Some colleges offer assured scholarships for certain stats. It’s fine to apply to some schools that offer competitive scholarships, but also apply to some schools that will give you assured scholarships for your stats.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for the helpful information! I know going out of state will be expensive, that’s one of the big reasons I’m keeping an in-state option or two. Missouri S&T is a good engineering college, and I have already done some calculations and I can go there for “free” (scholarships etc.)</p>
<p>Even as an East Coaster, I don’t think you should rule out the west coast when it comes to Aerospace Engineering–isn’t that where most of the profession is centered? Schools like Caltech, probably Harvey Mudd, maybe U of Washington (Boeing?), seem to have strong programs. Cooper Union in NYC is very sciency and it’s FREE if you can get in (don’t know about aerospace engineering, but you’d probably need advanced degrees anyway).</p>
<p>Some smart kids I know went to Carnegie Mellon. The school was pretty generous with the scholarships, too. I think Brandeis is good about scholarships as well.</p>
<p>Endicott, I’ve heard good things about Carnegie Mellon as well. Isn’t Brandeis more of a history school though? I have a cousin getting his PhD in history there right now and he made it sound more like a history school.</p>
<p>Not sure about that, AEDerik. He could be right. I thought of another one that I’ve heard good things about (including scholarships): Case Western Reserve.</p>
<p>Also, I forgot to put some information about my extracurriculars in the main post. Will these help my case for admission to some of these high caliber schools?
-Eagle Scout, 6 years of troop leadership experience and over 500 hours community service
-3 years Varsity football
-3 years baseball, 2 varsity
-President of FBLA chapter, qualified for state 1 year
-President of Speech and Drama
-NHS member
-math club, science club, several other school clubs where I don’t have a leadership position</p>