Here is the Penn outcomes report. I was curious after seeing the salary you quoted - half their grads are in software (that’s why it’s so high) and their second biggest job outcome is consulting.
Great school of course - but the student isn’t software engineering. Unfortunately, they don’t lay out salaries by major.
Yes of course CS can inflate tha average, and it varies but they actually addressed this, explaining that the versatility of the majors and the internship and research Penn kids commonly do leads many to have jobs in areas you might not expect of you just heard their “major”. Ie Engineering consulting is done by all majors, and non-CSE can go into software jobs. Which is not unique to Penn of course. I know two civil engineers from CMU and one is in software and one is in non-civil related engineering consulting and both have made a career out of it. 18yr olds rarely go into exactly what they think they will.
That’s why the Ivys weren’t on my radar… But I figure if I manage to get rejected from Duke, Georgia Tech, and Purdue I’ll probably apply to some schools RD and could probably throw Cornell, UPenn and maybe Columbia. Thanks for the lists. Added WashU St. Louis to the list.
Also, I’m aware about Dartmouth, don’t want to spend that fifth year.
Definitely considering it for RD. What is the campus like? I’ve never been to Philly, what is the weather like? The salary info is nice, no grad school for me.
urban. Nice but that’s opinion.
But different than a Cornell (far from urban, cute town) and even a Columbia although both Penn and Columbia are urban.
Their CDS used to say they tracked demonstrated interest but the current one says they don’t. Their website also says they don’t.
So if you apply RD and get in, you can then visit. You needn’t rush to get there. As you are in WV, you’re likely not too far.
Try to go visit if you do not get into your ED school. Or go do a virtual tour! The campus is beautiful : lots green grassy quads (with stuents playing volleyball, cricket, or just lounging in the grass). It has lots of leafy/flowering trees between many old beautiful buildings, and there are small garden areas, a pond, and parks on the eastern edge that allow walking by the river. The campus is actually a designated arboretum, which was surprising to us before we knew of the garden/pond/park areas on campus. The pretty parts you cannot see unlessyou actually park and go walk through campus, since driving around it only shows the edges that are adjacent to university city (the name of the area of Philly west of the river, or west of downtown Philly). It is easy to walk from one end of campus to the other, so dorm to classes is maximum 12-14 minute walk through the campus even for the furthest dorms. It is easy to walk across the bridge to downtown Philly to eat or shop (1.2 miles) if you want that “city” feel with all of the big buildings. The campus it self is not in the main city area but it is close. (For people from small towns, university city probably does seem like it is a true city area).
It is not integrated into the urban area like an NYU or similar: it is kind of between Columbia and Brown with separated designated campus areas: larger & more green areas than the former, less than the latter.
Opinions on MIT? Does applying early give an advantage? Also, how competitive do you think my application is? I know it is extremely selective but nobody from my area has ever been to MIT so I really have no comparison point.
You’re a very competitive candidate, but it’s a big reach for everyone. Tagging @huango to get her input.
MIT defers 2/3rds of their EA applicants, so I don’t think EA provides a boost. But it’s non binding, so why not?
You have an impressive record. Kudos to you.
You may want to put CMU on your list. You are a very strong candidate, and the school seems to meet your criteria for size. I am not sure what you consider a small city, but the Oakland neighborhood in Pittsburgh is nice with shopping and restaurants within walking distance.
CMU has a gender parity policy for STEM majors, and they are working hard to have a 50/50 balance of women and men. Since far more men apply to engineering programs, the acceptance rate for women will be higher than the overall reported rate. Because of this, you might have a higher chance of being accepted by The Nerd Farm than some other reaches on your list.
CMU is ranked #6 for electrical engineering and #8 for engineering, higher than some other schools where you are applying.
Based on acceptance profiles on CC the past couple years, in a rational world you should be accepted by Purdue. Confirm that they have returned to their policy of guaranteeing a student’s prefered engineering major if they earn a given GPA (I think 3.2) their freshman year. Because of COVID threw off Purdue’s yield calculations, they abandoned this policy the year my son applied. You would hate to bust your chops to earn a 3.4 as a freshman engineer to only be given the choice of CivE or ManufacturingE.
My sister earned her BS MechE from Princeton, and it prepared her very well career wise. I think she wanted a well rounded school that is strong in a wide range of academic fields. Frankly, I think she was also chasing status (we grew up in NY).
For study abroad for engineers, check out WPI and Lafayette. Lafayette might be smaller than you want but they really encourage the engineering kids to study abroad. They also have merit (which is competitive, but your application is very strong so I’d think you’d have a shot at that). WPI has lots of abroad opportunities which sounded amazing, too.
DS is MIT Class 2026,
accepted in RD after EA deferral.
@DadOfJerseyGirl shared this about Class2024 which shows EA gives a slight advantage
I can’t find my calculations for Class2025 that showed slight EA advantage.
I think your “Very Rural WV” = hook.
I think you have a great shot at MIT, but so do many other amazing applicants.
Heck, I look back at my son’s application, and wonder what edged him an acceptance???
I’m sure you’ll land at an amazing option.
good luck!
Will do! Thanks for the gender disparity info. I am making my RD list now. So far its Vandy, CMU, Wash U, UK, Rice, Princeton
Thanks very much for the admissions statistics. I wrote about the whole mexico to wv cultural issues. Congrats to your son.
Final thought… your list seems too long on reaches and targets, and short on safeties. In the crazy college application environment you should take nothing for granted, and top schools are turning away 10 qualified students for every one accepted. Check the CC forums for schools that have solid programs and produce strong graduate outcomes, yet are not exceptionally difficult to get into. Many of these potential safeties would throw a lot of merit aid your way.
You are an amazing student and have built a great academic record. I wish you luck wherever you land.
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