RPI might be another solid match to consider but I would be surprised if you weren’t accepted at Clemson, Purdue and VT. I’d bet that you’ll have other acceptances as well.
If you like the co-op program at Northeastern, U of Cincinnati would be a good safety.
Just be sure you hit the early action deadlines for any school that has it (and those are coming up).
Interesting. I had never heard of RPI. Yes, those are my safeties. I am definitely interested in co-op and research opportunities.
I don’t think VT or Purdue are safeties for your intended major, but I think your odds are good, especially Purdue who will love your standardized test scores.
My D is a Purdue engineering grad and felt that RPI had a very similar vibe, hence my recommendation. You would also likely see merit money from RPI. My D also liked UMD CP.
Just to clarify- does your answer here mean no cost constraints (basically full pay everywhere) or no budget (needing financial aid)?
Full pay. Will not get need based aid but would love merit.
Yes, that is what I meant. I will look into RPI, what are your thoughts on Georgia Tech?
If you’d love merit then you have to decide the difference between say Purdue at low 40s vs an Alabama that will give you 5 years tuition, 4 years housing and $3500 a year plus more money for books . Or a Tulsa full ride.
Duke is showing $90kish and you applied ED so that doesn’t flow with I love merit.
Not saying it’s not worth it but your folks could have saved over $300k so if you love merit, maybe that’s a point you want to discuss.
Even Purdue vs Duke is less than half the price full pay. I’m not sure the outcomes will be drastically different.
Congrats on a great record but you have the golden ticket - especially if you get to NMF at Bama, UTD, UCF and more.
Might be worth a discussion with the family for sure because your ED app is contrary to your statement on merit.
Best of luck.
If you are looking for safer choices to add to your list you might consider RPI and WPI. You would likely get merit from both. I actually think your chances are pretty good at many of the options have already identified.
I think you stand a good chance of acceptance to a school on your list.
Now I would round out the list with schools that will give full tuition or full ride scholarships to NMF. I am thinking of University of Tulsa, University of Texas Dallas, University of Alabama, and University of Central Florida, but there are more, and this thread might be helpful in making selections:
Great school! But a reach since you are out of state.
Yes. I maybe should rephrase that. I would appreciate merit but Duke is dream school so that’s why I ed applied. Other than that I am good with whatever school.
It may be - but you might mention to your parents that you can go for free, near free, or a fantastic Purdue for less than half - and in that case, ask would they still support Duke?
They may not realized the delta there - and most any family can use an additional several hundred thousand dollars.
It’d be smart - just to make them aware.
Your profile is great ! I think you have double the typical chance for ED Duke, or about 30-35% chance. Duke Engineering is course rigor and stat focused (moreso than Trinity), and presuming your essays and recs are great, you have what they typically seek.
The last couple of years they have accepted 16% or so in ED and deferred another 16%, rejected the rest. If you are not accepted, and are deferred, do not give up—send them an LOCI and updates! They tend to accept about 8-10% of the deferred pool in RD, more than double the RD accept rate.
Yes, they are aware. They actually really love Duke and want me to go there, it has a little to do with location. Also, I may get some merit based scholarships, you never know. Fingers crossed I get in but Purdue is definitely second choice.
I appreciate the info! Do you know if Duke cares about National Merit Semifinalist?
While not impossible, the likelihood of merit is little and when one EDs, even less.
Schools wont’ say that - so it’s anecdotal.
But if you are bound, why would they need to incent you.
The fact that your family is all in is all that matters - if they’re good with it, then it’s great.
best of luck.
PS - it does not appear Duke funds National Merit. They might recognize it (or not) but it won’t reward in more money.
Still a great accomplishment.
Not for merit purposes, no. But it is a nice award for the common app. I agree that merit is very very limited at Duke and is typically for RD kids, to lure them away from other top10 RD acceptances, though no top school will ever say that outright.
Opinions on Rice and UT Austin for engineering?
Both are fantastic schools for engineering. You should also consider Texas A&M, which offers a generous scholarship for National Merit, and is a top 10-15 engineering school. In addition to RPI, consider WPI (https://www.wpi.edu) in the Northeast.
With a 4.0 and National Merit, University of Arizona would grant $32K (for the 4.0, Types of Aid: Incoming First-Year and Transfer Tuition Scholarship Awards | Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid), an additional $3K (for National Merit, 2024-2025 Terms and Conditions | Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid) and $1K (for National Merit and Engineering, Scholarships and Financial Aid | University of Arizona College of Engineering), for $36K per year (OOS tuition is $39K/yr). The UAW engineering school has an additional competitive scholarship that would replace the $1K/yr with $5K/yr. Also, National Merit Scholars are automatically admitted to the Honors College (https://frankehonors.arizona.edu), which has its own dorm, dining hall, advising and class rooms (and the new gym next door).
Two very different schools.
Most schools that are ABET affiliated are going to get you to the same place.
Rice and UT are both outstanding - but one is smaller, with the residential college system. Not Duke - but closer to a Duke.
The other is - pick your big state school - and this one with an urban core and really really big.
You are going to be there four years.
Day after day.
You have to find the right school / environment for you to grow and excel , not the high ranked or prestigious school for that sake alone.