Physics/Engineering/Science schools

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Beginning the college search for my son. He has always been very strong in science/math. Will graduate with 10-12 AP classes. His PSAT was 221. He is at a very good public high school. I'm not sure of his GPA, but mostly As in the most challenging curriculum available. He has pretty good ECs. SAT Math II 730. He'll be taking it again in June along with SATII Physics.</p>

<p>He would like a school in a warm climate. We're in California and he doesn't like to be cold. Also he doesn't want to go to a school where the grades are curved. And wants a balanced male/female ratio. He has expressed interest in mechanical engineering, marine biology, he really isn't sure. He likes to be with students who are engaged in learning. Not the party type. So far our list includes UC Berkeley, UCSD, UCD, Stanford (high reach), Rice, Duke, and USC. Will need as much financial aid as possible.</p>

<p>Any input appreciated.
Thanks</p>

2

<p>Rice sounds like a good fit for what he’s looking for.</p>

3

<p>I’m guessing that Caltech was left off the list because of the desire for a balanced M/F ratio. He might still want to take a look, and also consider Harvey Mudd. The Pomona consortium will give the balanced ratio.</p>

4

<p>Assuming he was a junior when he took the PSAT he should be a Nat’l Merit Semifinalist. If he makes Finalist (which is very probable if he hasn’t had any “issues” in school) then he could get some very good merit aid. Go to the financial aid forum and look for Keilexandra’s listing of merit scholarships for NMFs.</p>

5

<p>Harvey Mudd might be a good fit for him.</p>

6

<p>

You have a good list so far. A few more suggestions:</p>

<p>Vanderbilt (loan-free)
Davidson (loan-free)
U Miami (almost certainly add this to the list)
Emory
William & Mary
Tulane</p>

<p>Not all of these offer engineering. Some of the larger publics are very good (e.g. UNC, College of Charleston, etc.), but I see little point in paying OOS prices when you have so many excellent options in California.</p>

<p>I attended Duke and am extremely familiar with the marine science program there. I wrote a very detailed post about it here:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1063058900-post2.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1063058900-post2.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I wrote a more general post about the sciences at Duke here:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/4722123-post9.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/4722123-post9.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>

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<p>Grades are curved everywhere. Anyway, if you need FA, you might as well just stick with the excellent California public schools.</p>

8

<p>Harvey Mudd did seem to be a good fit, but my understanding is that the financial aid isn’t as generous as at other schools and that it isn’t guaranteed for all 4 years.</p>

<p>These are all excellent suggestions. Thank you so much!</p>

<p>Is it hard to switch from engineering to another major or vice versa? He would like to go to grad school. Should he major in physics or another science then go to engineering for grad school?</p>

9

<p>Second Rice and Mudd. </p>

<p>Though Mudd’s not exactly male:female balanced, the 5 Claremonts as a group are. Prepare for tough grading there as well - not that engineering anywhere will be a cake walk.</p>

10

<p>warblersrule86</p>

<p>Excellent posts! Thank you</p>