<p>I'll start off with my "credentials"-
36 ACT, 4.3 Weighted GPA, (about 4.0 unweighted), 5 APs (all math/science), Honors when possible.
Eagle Scout, Leader of Homeless outreach group, captain of ultimate frisbee team, President of 150 member church choir, Leader of HS A Capella group, NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, Interact Club, Competitive rock climber (awards, etc. to go along with it).</p>
<p>Now that that's over with:
I have a huge passion for the outdoors, and so I know I would NOT thrive in a city environment or in a midwestern semi-flat state such as Indiana.</p>
<p>I am debating between Environmental Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, and Geology.</p>
<p>I want college to be college, as in, I want it to be fun. I am willing to go anywhere (I'm from Tennessee, but have my eye on colleges in Colorado and Washington state.)</p>
<p>So here's my questions:
What kind of university should I be looking for?
Are prestigious universities worth it, and if so, are there are any prestigious engineering schools that don't have 3 to 1 guy to girl ratios and no parties on friday nights?
Which of those majors would you recommend? Geologist would be my dream job, where as engineering is something I am talented at, and job opportunities would be far easier to come by.
Any other advice?
Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Whitman came to mind immediately. I think they give merit aid. If they do, you’d most likely qualify. I’m not sure if they have engineering, since it’s a liberal arts college, but you never know.</p>
<p>University of Colorado (I think Boulder is the main campus?) also comes to mind. I’d suggest University of Washington (really good school) but the main campus is in Seattle, so probably more urban than what you’re looking for. Check out University of Oregon too. I think it might be in Portland though, but perhaps a little outside the city. Sorry, I guess I don’t really know much about pacific northwest schools.</p>
<p>Regarding some of your questions, you’re a competitive applicant and would get in to great schools. That being said, if you don’t qualify for financial aid, in-state schools or even some out of state schools can be cheaper than privates. For instance, take a look at Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo. It’s only ~14,000 (tuition only) for out-of-state students, in a suburban setting, and has lots of rock climbing, surfing, etc. in the surrounding area. It’s also ranked as one of the top 10 engineering universities by US news for schools not offering doctorates.</p>
<p>I’d also look at Cornell - definitely lots of nature/rural surroundings. Known for lots of parties but also rigorous academics, especially in engineering (the engineering program is great).</p>
<p>And Deep Springs College is amazing (an acquaintance from my high school went there a few years ago), but it’s tuned to very, very specific taste. ~26 guys live on an alfalfa ranch for two years and talk a lot about literature. Unbeatable experience if it’s your thing. There’s no engineering, only a 2 year liberal arts degree.</p>
I’m not sure I agree. Geology actually has very good prospects. The number of jobs available is smaller than average for the sciences, but the number of students majoring in geology is smaller than the number of jobs and people retiring, so there’s a fair amount of flexibility. (I read one study recently that compared the sciences and noted that the ratio of jobs to geology graduates was 11:1, nearly double that of any other science. Unfortunately, I can’t find it again.) Hydrology is particularly in demand, and many of the skills you pick up (e.g. GIS) can be applied to any number of career fields. I turned down several good job offers a couple years ago in order to attend graduate school (something I sometimes regret while slammed with homework…).</p>
<p>I don’t think Deep Springs is a good fit for the OP. It’s a great school, but he would be wasting two years doing something unrelated to his interests - it offers no engineering, and even science offerings are few and far between. A better option, should the OP decide to pursue geology rather than engineering, might be Sewanee in his home state.</p>
<p>Your engineering interests are the limiting factor, as the number of schools strong in those areas is pretty small; sticking to geology would vastly increase your options. The suggestion of Cornell was a very good one. I’d add Stanford, though it’s not as outdoorsy. Unfortunately, most of the other schools that come to mind are publics and iffy with financial aid for OOS students. U Conn and UNH might work. Penn State and UT Austin are great fits for your academic interests, but I am not sure how they stack up in terms of outdoorsy offerings. Besides the obvious suggestion of CU Boulder, Colorado School of Mines is also worth a look. </p>
<p>You may also want to consider Canadian schools. Several of them are pretty strong in geology and engineering, and they can be reasonably affordable for American students. UBC and U Alberta would be worth a look in particular. </p>
<p>UT Knoxville should be on your list as an affordable safety school.</p>
<p>Warren Wilson College. I have a friend who is a current student and she says that its mandatory for all students to participate in one of the college’s environmental conservation programs. (I believe she’s in the recycling program). They may have some programs that are related to your interests.</p>
<p>Geology generally offers good job opportunities, particularly if you go on to graduate school. The Colorado School of Mines would be good if you want to have an engineering emphasis. Consider also Montana State University in Bozeman, which has a good Earth Science program. With your stats, you would no doubt get into MSU’s honors college, which is stronger academically than their regular program. Bozeman is a dream town for those who love the outdoors–hiking, skiing, fishing, mountain biking, kayaking are all tremendous there.</p>
<p>I agree the OP can aim high. However, I will still recomment U of Wyoming. It’s a great location for an outdoors person and from what I understand Wyoming has put a lot of money into the university.</p>
<p>Brian, I’d second Williams. No engineering but excellent geology and other natural sciences. Beautiful mountain environment and instant access to nature.</p>
<p>The student body is intensely engaged in all kinds of outdoorsy activities. You’ll probably find more Eagle Scouts per square inch than any where else on the planet. Bright, multi-talented, energetic kids.</p>
<p>Cornell and Dartmouth as already mentioned. I’d also look at Hamilton, Colgate.</p>
<p>PS, I agree with Warbler. Geology – especially as it relates to extraction the industries – is a growth area right now.</p>
<p>Wow, thank yall so much for the quick responses! I have looked into Dartmouth and Cornell. The big issue there is no doubt money, as my budget is definitely smaller than some. How willing are Ivies and schools like Williams and Warren Wilson to give merit-based aid? Because without it, I am confined to Tennessee schools.</p>
<p>Thanks for the geology advice, that is truly good to know!</p>
<p>Last question for now, do I really have a shot at an Ivy? And with an in-state public school budget, is affording it even possible?</p>
<p>If you think money will be an issue have your parents run their numbers through an EFC calculator. It doesn’t pay for you to get excited about a school you can’t afford. Others will probably know better than me but I think the Ivies only give need based aid, not merit aid. So if your efc is unaffordable you will need to look at schools with good merit opportunities.</p>
Based on your credentials, you definitely do. I’d definitely look at Williams: one of the best hiking trails in the US (the Long Trail) starts basically on campus. Dartmouth students are similarly wilderness-oriented.</p>
<p>Do run EFC calculators. If you truly have need, these top schools will often be your cheapest option—they have terrific financial aid packages (no loans!). However, if your parents are wealthy but still don’t want to pay much for college, then you’d best look elsewhere.</p>
<p>Brian, it’s a kind of inverse proportion. As a general statement, the more selective schools don’t offer MERIT aid, but they are generous with NEED based aid.</p>
<p>Agree, have your parents use an on-line calculator to determine how much need based aid you may be eligible for. It’s not fool-proof, but it’s a good starting point.</p>
<p>Yes, you have a shot at any college/university in America (except all women’s). No guarantees of admission of course, but there’s nothing in your profile that would keep you out, and a lot that would get you in.</p>
<p>First, define your financial situation, then make sure your list is well balanced by selectivity.</p>
<p>If the money works, another suggestion would be Bowdoin.</p>
<p>University of Puget Sound in Washington is truly beautiful. Colorado School of Mines and New Mexico Institue of Mining and Technology is supposed to have a desirable campus.</p>
<p>Consider the University of Vermont, it was one of the first (maybe the first) to offer environmental studies and is very strong in that field. It also has highly active outdoor activities clubs for hiking, skiing, climbing and sailing. You can guess that its location, overlooking magnificent Lake Champlain on the west and facing the Green Mountains (think Long Trail) on the east, is a natural for such healthy pursuits!</p>