<p>Also consider Illinois, Michigan and CMU; all in the top 10 ranked undergrad engineering and all in the Midwest. CMU is urban Pittsburg but Illinois and Michigan are in college towns.</p>
<p>As someone mentioned above, you should check the net price calculators. You stated that you expect to have a very low EFC, implying low income/assets. Maybe you are already aware that Cornell’s financial aid for those with low income/assets is orders of magnitude better than that of the other schools you expressed an interest in.</p>
<p>Right, I know that Cornell has great need-based aid—Northwestern, WashU, and Notre Dame should be close, too. I’ve heard Lehigh has pretty good need-based aid, and there is some merit/honors to thrown in there; same case with Rochester and Union. With Vermont I’d hope for large merit to offset OOS cost. UMass is going to be affordable no matter what—merit, need, in-state. So UMass is my true safety, and Vermont is more of a “maybe.”</p>
<p>Sounds like a decent list. WUSTL is urban, but has a defined campus if that’s what you are looking for. Case, Pitt, CMU are far more urban feeling, but WUSTL had a bit of an urban feel to it when we were there.</p>
<p>How about Clarkson if you are looking for non-urban? (They may be smaller than you’d like and aren’t D1 for sports, but neither are some of your others.)</p>
<p>Clarkson is Division I in hockey :-)</p>
<p>Creekland, “defined campus” is a good way to put it—that’s what I like about it.
Clarkson does seem a little small. I had Union as a maybe, but I think I’m taking it off.
I’m also taking off Notre Dame—replacements?</p>
<p>New(est) list: Cornell, Northwestern, Lehigh, Rochester, WashU, UMass, UVM</p>
<p>replacments …er, Michigan, Illinois</p>
<p>wayne, I am not sure UIUC and Michigan are appropriate. For one, they are large. The OP has already indicated that he prefers mid-sized schools. Secondly, neither of those two schools is generous with scholarships or with aid.</p>
<p>I think CMU would be a good reach to add, and the University of Rochester or Villanova would be good matches.</p>
<p>UMass C of E is on the main campus but has its own engineering quad. It’s in the northeast corner of the campus away from the frats. Many engineering students live in the Northeast dorms, although it’s certainly not mandatory–my son lives in Southwest on the opposite side of campus, by choice. Yes, you will have some big classes in the first and second years, mainly the intro and prerequisite classes but they get smaller as you get into the upper level classes.</p>
<p>how is Bucknell?</p>
<p>Bucknell has a beautiful campus in a small college town far away from any city. My son found it too remote for his tastes. Student body is quite preppy, conservative and Greek life is huge. Getting from MA to Bucknell is a drag, no convenient options. I don’t know about FA but they are not generous with merit money.</p>
<p>What was his/your take on the actual program/curriculum?</p>
<p>We liked Bucknell’s engineering program and we did get LOTS of details on an engineering tour after the regular tour. They have recently built a large addition to their engineering building so the facilities looked really up-to-date. The engineering students who were tour guides were interesting kids who were really funny and enthusiastic. I remember being impressed with their freshman program that helps kids pick which engineering major by working on engineering projects, since most kids come in not really knowing. Strong alumni relations too.</p>
<p>Bucknell is a beautiful school with a very highly ranked engineering school. It’s facilities are excellent and it is currently in a big facility/campus expansion.</p>
<p>It is in a small very quaint town with stuff ( restaurants, shopping) around and decent outdoor activities ( state parks not too far and location on the Susquehanna River). But it is not in or near a big city. But my understanding is that they have fairly regular bus trips to cities such as NYC, etc. if so desired.</p>
<p>As is the case with almost all selective, small LAC schools, they aren’t as diverse as larger schools. My understanding is that Bucknell is trying to diversify more and more. It does have some successful programs. But it is still predominately white and fairly preppy. But I know (D2 attended and is very non-preppy, not sorority type) any student could love Bucknell as long as you do not want an urban environment.</p>
<p>Is it difficult to enter undecided engineering? I’m worried about the major caps.</p>
<p>Whether it is difficult to declare (starting as undeclared) or change to an engineering major depends on the college.</p>
<p>I mean for Bucknell specifically. I don’t think any of the other schools on my list have capped majors.</p>
<p>Bucknell expects most entering engineering majors to be unsure of their majors. I would ask them specifically if there are caps, but I did not get the impression there were caps at all.</p>
<p>I know for sure that Missouri S & T in Rolla, MO is a nationally ranked engineering school and its not too far from St. Louis but is also very affordable. Engineering grads from there get snatched up right after graduation. I know people who go there and they say its pretty hard but I feel like engineering is hard to begin with anyways.</p>