<p>At the time my son applied RPI had a priority application that they sent him saying they’d let him know if he was in within three weeks of getting the first quarter grades from his high school. So it was even better than EA and the letter said he’d be getting a merit scholarship. I don’t know if they still have that program going, but it was good for us. There was no question in our minds at the time that from our high school no one with my son’s and grades had ever been turned down. (Of course that was the year Newsweek designated them a “New Ivy” and they got quite a few more applicants than they’d ever had before.) I don’t believe that you can only apply to schools that go only by the numbers. I think “demonstrated interest” is an overrated concern. It’s more important to make it clear why you like a school and are a good fit even though you are clearly in the top of the pool.</p>
<p>EA may not show absolute interest in a school, but it does show that you were willing to get an application organized for that school early - which is already a sign of interest. Most EA schools have higher admissions rates for EA in any event. The schools that want you will often use the time to woo the student.</p>
<p>At our hs, the students were advised to have RD apps submitted by year end, and the requires submission to GC by mid November. So EA apps didn’t help much narrowing down the RD apps.</p>
<p>Case is an excellent college and gives some generous merit aid (scholarships). Even with high stats, not sure it would be a “safety”. Consider adding an easy app / slam dunk state school too. </p>
<p>“finances aren’t a problem” - That would be wonderful news for you. In many families, parents can’t afford $60K/year (and don’t realize it is so darned exoensive) , but they don’t qualify for enough need based aid to make no-scholarship schools possible. Make sure you’ve done your homework with the the estimator calculators and had frank discussions with your parents.</p>
<p>Marian thats the thing, I don’t know if I want CAS or Engineering… I have the Candidate’s Choice app for Rensselaer but it doesn’t have priority notification If it did I would almost certainly apply, but I probably won’t this way unless I need a safety after EA since it’s not really a top choice of mine. As I’ve yet to see any evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, of Case employing “Tufts Syndrome” or rejecting anyone with high stats, I don’t think I’ll add any automatic admissions schools. I just don’t see myself having the right “fit” at a state school, and I don’t want this to turn into a chance me thread but I’m fairly confident of being accepted to CWRU. I think I’ve decided against UMich aswell, it’s got a lot of the same things that I didn’t like about my state school. Thanks for the help so far.</p>
<p>It sounds like you have excellent chance of getting into Case, probably with a scholarship. It’s great that they have the EA option. My son had the postcard from Case for free app, but due to common app logistics he didn’t find a way to take advantage of Case EA. You seem to have your act together early enough to do so. Good luck.</p>
<p>OP,
Go to UG that you like. How do we know which one you like? Usually it is very personal. Your criteria of choosing will have nothing to do with another applicant criteria. Visit a lot, stay overnights, talk to current students, talk to some in your future major, chack out everything that is very important to you personallyt, not somebody else. Some people like pretty campus, it make them happy, it helps them study. Are you such person? Others like to be in city. Third will appreciate Research internships easily available for UGs, and another group cannot live without strong presence of schools spirit / sports. Somebody else is looking to extansive study abroad, others are into comfortable dorms and great food service. How many time you would have lecture given by TA vs prof.?..Tons and tons of research needs to be done based on your personal preferences. We all have ours, do they have do to with yours? Most likely not…</p>
<p>If you’re not sure, start in Engineering. If it doesn’t work out well for you, almost all of your credits will transfer to Arts and Sciences and many will fill general education requirements. Transferring from Engineering to Arts and Sciences is much more difficult because Engineering has a more structured curriculum.</p>
<p>I’m puzzled by why the need to choose between Engineering and Arts and Sciences has made you hesitant about Cornell in particular. You will have to make the same choice at most universities, won’t you?</p>
<p>If you are not sure between engineering and A&S look for schools where the boundary between the schools is relatively low. For example at Tufts it is not difficult to switch between A&S and engineering, whereas at Columbia you would have to basically reapply as a new student. Chicago does not have engineering, so not sure why that is on your list. Agree with Marian, if you are even thinking about engineering start there as a first year, it is almost always easier to switch out than it is to switch in to engineering.</p>
<p>My only comment is that I don’t really think your list has too many schools, especially if you really want to go to one of the “reach” schools. I think others have made good comments about the specifics.</p>
<p>Gee Whiz; if the OP is looking for a true safety school, apply to Rutgers as you are in state. You are looking for a lay-up, that ball is available to be put into the basket.</p>
<p>The most engineering companies hire locally. The thing to look is program certificatin and some people like co-op, but it takes 5 years vs 4, one convinience of co-op for parents is that usually they support themselves while working, so tuition payments are streatched, helps with cash flow. Other than that not sure about advantages of going to one UG vs another. Later, it might be worthwhile to get PE (Proffessional Engineer), but everybody that I know, obtaine it while working. Most people around me are engineers, including my H. I used to be in engineering also, but swithced after 11 years of working, I just could not make myself to like it. Most people do like it a lot though.</p>
<p>I never really understand why people think anyone is applying to too many schools. As long as you have safties that you would be happy with, can afford the application fees and don’t mind putting in the work on the essays to make each of your applications good, I see no downside.</p>
<p>In fact, if my son had narrowed his list, he wouldn’t currently be attending school where he is (as his counselor told him not to add anymore “reachy” schools). I think your list looks good but agree that you may want to add a couple more match and safety schools. I also agree with others that Michigan for OOS can’t really be considered a safety anymore. My son was deferred there (with acceptances to two top 20 schools) with a 33 ACT and 4.9 GPA. </p>
<p>Good luck. There is something to be said for the law of large numbers and you only need one acceptance (which are quite random these days) to a dream school to make it worth the application fee.</p>
<p>Not at first… Of the schools on my list you only have to do that for Cornell and Columbia (SEAS vs CC). And I probably won’t even apply to Columbia, I don’t like it that much except its in NYC. I like Chicago even though it doesn’t have engineering because I feel like it’ll give me a good foundation with the core and stuff. I want to go to grad school and I’m pretty sure you can go to Engineering grad school with like a physics degree right? TBH if I get into MIT EA I’ll take like half the schools off.</p>
<p>"I’m pretty sure you can go to Engineering grad school with like a physics degree "
-I am pretty sure NOT. Engineering is NOT physics. Physics is a science, engineering is using various science backgrounds in technology. I do not think it works like Med. School. You can go to Med. school with any degree if you complete requirements. I believe that engineering needs much much more than physics. It absolutely does not matter which UG you go for engineering. Just choose the one that you personally like the best.</p>
<p>MSG: People on the board offer you sincere advise. If you choose to read what they offer, wonderful. If you have pre-conceived notions on what path you choose per the post above about a freshman in a Rutgers Dorm, so be it.</p>
If it did I would almost certainly apply, but I probably won’t this way unless I need a safety after EA since it’s not really a top choice of mine. As I’ve yet to see any evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, of Case employing “Tufts Syndrome” or rejecting anyone with high stats, I don’t think I’ll add any automatic admissions schools. I just don’t see myself having the right “fit” at a state school, and I don’t want this to turn into a chance me thread but I’m fairly confident of being accepted to CWRU. I think I’ve decided against UMich aswell, it’s got a lot of the same things that I didn’t like about my state school. Thanks for the help so far.</p>