Possible College Choices

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm pretty sure I want to major in engineering but more specifically I'm thinking aerospace engineering. My backup would be mechanical engineering. Anyways I want some input on these college choices. I'm currently a junior in highschool and will be applying next year. I like California but I don't mind moving out of state. Texas is probably as far as I will go and I'm not really interested in anything on the East Coast. </p>

<p>For the record, I know that some of these schools don't have aerospace engineering. </p>

<p>My picks are in no order</p>

<ul>
<li>UT Austin</li>
<li>Texas A&M</li>
<li>Cal Poly SLO</li>
<li>University of San Diego</li>
<li>Santa Clara University</li>
<li>Embry Riddle (Prescott)</li>
</ul>

<p>Personal
- Hispanic
- Attending a private high school
- California resident</p>

<p>Academic
- weighted GPA is around 4.1 and going up, unweighted is around 3.7-3.8
- I've maintained at least a 4.0 every semester in high school
- Honor roll
- scholar athlete </p>

<p>Extracurricular
- been on the golf team for 3 years and my 4th year will be senior year, 2 years on varsity (sophomore and junior) and will be captain next year
- been awarded different school specific awards for the golf including scholar athlete (4.0 or above)
- do community service and will have over 100 hours
- member of the California Scholarship Federation and National Honor Society
- I will probably join a new engineering club next year</p>

<p>Course load
- Freshman: Religion I, Spanish I Honors, Biology, Freshman Success/Health, English I Honors, Geometry Honors, a 7th period golf class</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Sophomore: World History, Religion II, Spanish II Honors, Chemistry, Digital Photo, English II, Algebra II/Trigonometry Honors</p></li>
<li><p>Junior: U.S. History, Religion III Honors, Spanish III Honors, Physics Honors, History of Sports, English III, PreCalculus Honors</p></li>
<li><p>Senior year will include: U.S. Gov/Econ, Religion IV Honors, Spanish IV, AP Physics B, English IV, AP Calculus AB, and another 7th period golf class</p></li>
</ul>

<p>My lack of AP's is because I'm geared towards math and science, not history or english which is what they primarily had for AP courses. I couldn't take an AP math because a very small amount of juniors take AP Calculus AB and I couldn't take AP Physics C because you have to be in Calculus. I will be taking "B" because it requires prior physics knowledge so there will be only 8-9 people in that class. </p>

<p>And for my test scores
- I've taken the ACT twice, first time was a 28 then I got a 30 the second time, superscore is a 31</p>

2

<ul>
<li>UT Austin-high match

<ul>
<li>Texas A&M-match</li>
<li>Cal Poly SLO-match</li>
<li>University of San Diego-safety</li>
<li>Santa Clara University-match</li>
<li>Embry Riddle (Prescott)-match</li>
</ul></li>
</ul>

3

<p>Also, what would be my chances at getting into these schools?</p>

4

<p>Have you asked your parents if they’re willing to pay $50K/year for college (that’s what UT will cost). You can judge your own chances by looking at the Common Data Set for each school, section C.</p>

5

<p>You being from California, Texas A&M might be a bit of a culture shock. Its very conservative and Southern and its in the middle of no where. People wear cowboy boots and say howdy. Overall its a cool place and plenty of fun but its definitely not California. My parents are alums and personally I think its too conservative for me but its definitely a great school for engineering.</p>

6

<p>I don’t mind it being conservative</p>

7

<p>Check the net price calculators at each school to see if they are affordable.</p>

<p>If not, consider these lists:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-18.html#post15895768[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-18.html#post15895768&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1461983-competitive-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-2.html#post15889078[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1461983-competitive-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-2.html#post15889078&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>You may want to consider some additional UCs and CSUs as safety candidates, since your list does not appear to have any obvious safeties – CPSLO is not really a safety for anyone, and the others could potentially be more expensive than most students and parents can afford.</p>

8

<p>Can anyone go into these schools in any more depth? I’ve done a lot of research on them but I always want to know more. I would also like to hear experiences of any students that go to any of these schools, engineering or not.</p>

9

<p>Well A&M is a very southern and the community is very tight knit. There are lots of traditions and if an aggie(what A&M alums are called) is hiring and they hear you went to a&M then you pretty much have the job. A lot of people around where I live(Dallas) call it the “aggie cult” because once you become an aggie, you’re always an aggie. Everyone I’ve met who has gone there has absolutely loved their college experience at Texas A&M.</p>

10

<p>Anyone else?</p>

11

<p>You need to know ~ before you spend any more time dreaming ~ if your parents will pay for out-of-state. Really. Go ask them.</p>