<p>[I posted this in College Search & Selection as well]</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>My GPA is 4.00.
I am second in my graduating class.
My highest SAT scores all added together are 1590.
I am African American.
I live in New York.</p>
<p>I want to study Chemical, Biomedical, Mechanical, or Computer Engineering.
I have a list of about 10 schools already, but I want to know what everyone recommends.</p>
<p>If you read this please do not hesitate to post. I will appreciate any help.</p>
<p>You have to give us an idea of what you are looking for.</p>
<p>Big/small? Geography? Public/private? Price range? Etc?</p>
<p>I have no preference for big or small colleges.
I prefer the east coast, but I am open to other areas.
I prefer public (in-state) colleges.
Cost is not a concern.</p>
<p>
This is a combination of all three scores (M CR Wr) form different tests (super score)?
What is your highest M and CR from one test?</p>
<p>That is a combination from 2 different test dates.
May 2010: 500 M 550 CR 480 W
October 2010: 560 M 530 CR 480 W
(I know…writing did not change)</p>
<p>The highest CR and M from one test date is 1090.</p>
<p>^^
Writing may not have changed but at least you picked up 60 points in Math which is an important consideration for engineering.
I don’t know how far from home you are willing to go to school, but if I were you I’d pick a school with many options in case you decide engineering isn’t for you.
Ohio State has a ton of options and a pretty good minority scholarship program.</p>
<p>Look into RIT. Also think about Maryland: College Park and Penn State.</p>
<p>Thank you for the suggestions everyone, it is really helpful. :)</p>
<p>I’ll second PSU. Good engineering program, supposedly more emphasis on GPA that STA/ACT scores and they seriously need to increase diversity. Also lots of options if you decide you want to change from engineering. The only drawback I can see is that they are pretty tight fisted with financial aid.
Good luck with you applications.</p>
<p>Do you have a second preference for a major in case you decide engineering is not for you? Also you want to be really well prepared in Math, since engineering involves heavy use of calculus. Note that initial set of math courses (calculus) in undergraduate curriculum can be quite demanding and a strong coursework in high school will be helpful. A score of 560 in SAT math, while not bad, may indicate some difficulties down the road. What is your highest level of Math in high school? </p>
<p>As another poster mentioned, you may want to enroll in an university that offers many majors, so you can switch majors without changing your university. Another option would be to enroll in a community college that has transfer arrangement with leading universities, and take all the prerequisite courses in math & science.</p>
<p>U-Maryland
U-Maryland at Baltimore County (called UMBC)
U-Delaware (Electrical ,Mechanical and Chemical only)
Drexel (in Philly)
Rutgers
Penn State
RIT
Rensselaer
John Hopkins</p>
<p>To add to the previously mentioned, SUNY-Binghamton has a pretty solid reputation for engineering and you’d get in-state tuition.</p>
<p>I am taking Pre-Calc now at school because that is all they offer but in addition, I am taking Calculus and Statistics at college campuses.</p>
<p>If I do not do engineering, I am pretty sure I would major in a math or science.</p>
<p>While cost is not a concern, is there an upper limit expenditure per year? How much would your parents be willing to contribute? How much of loan do you feel comfortable? Please note that many students take more than 4 years to complete their undergrad; you may want to budget for 5.5 yrs and try/hope you can finish within 4. </p>
<p>In-state schools are best from cost point of view. Usually during the first year and a half the students take general engineering related courses including 4 semesters of calculus / differential equations, Physics, Chem (& biology for bio-med), Intro to engg etc. If needed, one can transfer in Junior year to better out of state schools so as to (i) save money (ii) Be near home during the initial college years. </p>
<p>However, one develops deeper bond with cohorts (batch mates) who go through the curriculum during the same college time period.</p>
<p>I strongly recommend Rochester Institute of Technology because of its good reputation for Mechanical Engineering and its efforts in recent years to enhance the quality of student life. Also look at U of Rochester while you’re at it. An African-American young woman, the daughter of a friend, is currently a senior and has loved her experience at UR. Keep in mind these others of ME also;</p>
<p>The private Colleges of Engineering in the northeast have a greater reputation than their public counterparts; not to diminish the state schools but private colleges in the northeast states got a head start and better endowments. That’s just the way it is. Among the public [Engineering] universities, I’d look at University at Buffalo [SUNY] and U Maryland Baltimore County.</p>
<p>I am hoping to receive many outside scholarships.
I have some family support but they are not that specific about how much they will give.
I really want to go to a good school, and my guidance counselor and teachers tell me to not let cost deter me from choosing colleges.</p>
<p>Thank you. I am definitely looking into RIT and University of Rochester.</p>