Need Suggestions for Engineering Schools for the B+ Student

Parents Forum
1

<p>Of course my son would love to get into MIT, CMU, etc., but where will he be realistically accepted. Money is a major issue as our EFC is zero. Thanks for your ideas, as I am trying to manage expectations.</p>

<p>He is currently a Sophomore.</p>

<p>White/ from NJ</p>

<p>3.7 uw GPA
4.05 w GPA</p>

<p>From the PSAT I think he should get about a 2100 on the SAT. </p>

<p>He has all honors and AP physics this year. Plans on taking 9 more APs.</p>

<p>Top 10% of public school which does not rank.</p>

<p>ECs</p>

<p>Eagle Scout
Robotics Team (currently sub-team captain, but I think will be team captain)
NASA Inspire
Debate Team
Varsity Swim Team
Summer Swim Team</p>

2

<p>3.7 seems like more of an A- than a B+ type of average if it is on a 4 point scale.</p>

3

<p>He should focus on the PSAT next fall and try to make NMF standing. That will provide lots of good safety schools with merit money. Rutgers would be another option. Then he can apply to some reaches that will meet need.</p>

4

<p>You might want to check University of Hartford. Their school of engineering is very good. Your son’s SAT scores and GPA should net him some merit aid there. They do not meet full need but you never know what they might offer him.</p>

<p>Does Rutgers have an engineering program? It’s your instate public university. I would check that as well.</p>

5

<p>Rutgers seems a logical choice, having a good engineering college. If size is an issue TCNJ also offers an engineering degree r.</p>

6

<p>Rutgers is actually not very cost friendly. My older child is attending the U of Miami on merit/aid which was MUCH cheaper than what it would have cost her to go to Rutgers.</p>

7

<p>When you say EFC = 0, is that by the Financial Aid Calculators? Or are you saying you can’t afford to contribute anything?</p>

8

<p>By the calculators. We are willing to use home equity to pay the rest. We are self employed and have had a few bad years. Hopefully things will turn around.</p>

9

<p>“B+ student” is probably not the right label for him - I agree with those who said that.</p>

<p>Top 10%, 3.7 GPA, all Honors and ap… that is a pretty top student in my book. </p>

<p>Still, he will want some non-reach and safety schools.</p>

<p>If he wants to stay on the Atlantic Coast more or less, he can consider:</p>

<p>Lehigh, Lafayette, UNH, WPI, RPI (I’m not listing the “usual suspects” of the top schools; you seem to be clear on those), UMd-College Park.</p>

<p>If he’s interested in going further afield geographically (which might also bring him some merit $$):</p>

<p>Santa Clara U (Ca), Vanderbilt, UMich, Purdue, St. Louis U (if interested in aeronautical and related), Rice, Tulane (if interested in biomedical).</p>

<p>There are plenty more, but these are a few ideas.</p>

10

<p>Stanford would be a reach academically (for just about everyone), but they appear to have rather [generous</a> financial aid](<a href=“Financial Aid : Stanford University”>Financial Aid : Stanford University). They also have an [url=&lt;a href=“Financial Aid : Stanford University”&gt;Financial Aid : Stanford University]estimator[/url</a>] on their web site.</p>

11

<p>Maybe CWRU in Cleveland. Good school, not sure about the aid situation but they have resources, could be happy to have him.</p>

12

<p>I’m thinking of a few more:</p>

<p>U Miami (Fla) and Miami of Ohio - both merit aid possibles. OneToughMommy’s suggestion of Case Western Reserve reminded me of these two.</p>

13

<p>USC has a great engineering school [ Vertibi] and NMF’s receive automatic 1/2 tuition scholarships. USC would be a match for him.</p>

14

<p>Some of the schools mentioned above do not guarantee to meet 100% need. Be sure to look at that when you are applying</p>

15

<p>Don’r know about the FA, but Rose-Hulman is also very highly rated for undergrad engineering, and quite frequently forgotten.</p>

16

<p>check out ut dallas. great engineering program, and with your kid’s stats, will probably get a full tuition and housing stipend. close proximity to TI and Raytheon for engineering internships and lots of labs on campus</p>

17

<p>How much do things change for a girl, rather than a boy, with similar stats, interested in engineering?</p>

18

<p>Agree with other posters that the student seems pretty high end–CC has a way of making really good students seem average. All the top schools you mentioned are difficult for everyone to get into, but even MIT says that a 700 on each section of the SAT1 is “good enough”. So IMO, don’t rule out any colleges just yet!</p>

<p>If you’re from CA, I would suggest Cal Poly SLO for a great education at a very reasonable price. Your child would be well qualified there.</p>