Pitt, Udel Engineering

Parents Forum
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I am the mom of a high school junior. I asked a while back about BU and URoch Engrg and got some very nice feedback. Now I am back looking for advice on 2 public U’s that may also be on our list - to cast a wider net. Both Pitt and Udel are ranked about the same at Rutgers , our in-state flagship, for engineering. They seem to be somewhat more user friendly, compared to the sprawling Rutgers. Looking for insight beyond what I can get on their websites regarding their engineering programs.

Kid has 1500 SAT (in one sitting), 3.97 UW GPA w/ mostly AP and honors. ORM with no hooks.
Involved in depth in robotics and also a social justice group - good, but not stunning EC’s . Public, competitive HS in NJ. His GC is very good and advised a robust list given what she saw this admissions cycle. Our current list is GATech, UMich, Cornell (maybe ED??), UMaryland, BU, URochester, Rutgers, UDel, Pitt . We are aware the first 3 are reaches, and the privates will want demonstrated interest. He wants to minor in some humanities - history or languages, so that’s why he has no other purely engineering school on his list . He made an exception for GA Tech - but they actually have some interesting stuff in those other areas.

Thanks in advance!

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I don’t know anyone who has disliked Pitt. And UDel is a close second. How do they compare in terms of cost?

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3

Similar OOS tuition. He may be able to get some merit at either one- but who knows any more? In his HS, Pitt is popular w/ the more academic kids, while UDel has a wider range of applicants (from checking the Naviance scattergram).

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Very nice stats, why not add Virginia Tech or Rensselaer?

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Thanks!

Re: VAtech: visited before Covid - kid didn’t like the location; RPI: not enough humanities stuff; also location got thumbs down. However, they’re still on the “maybe” list

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If Rochester is on the list, consider adding Case Western. Also a plug for Purdue ; )

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With stats like that you might want to consider the Honors Colleges at both Arizona State and University of Arizona where he could get significant merit, potentially making them cheaper than Rutgers.

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I would agree with that. I think Delaware has a little bit more of a party reputation than Pitt. But I think you get a solid engineering curriculum in both.

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