Questions about colleges

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, I'm a current junior in the NY state.
I have begun my search for a college, but I was worried about my grades.
my cumulative average so far (Freshman + Sophmore) is 3.75, but I think I'm going to go down to about an 3.6-3.65 because I sort of slacked off this year.
Also, I took my SAT's in January, and got 590 Reading, 720 Math, and 520 Writing.
I am going to take SAT subject tests this upcoming May SAT date, and the SAT in June.
I am also planning to take the ACT next year in September. </p>

<p>So, I want to go in to engineering in college, and am looking to apply to SUNY's (Such as Stony Brook, Binghamton, Buffalo...), CUNY's (Hunter, City.. and 4 more, as macaulay applicant), some UC's (LA,SD,Berkley), and some private colleges (Cornell, Columbia, Penn State, UIUC, etc..)
*These are prospective colleges, I am not applying to all of them.</p>

<p>So, since my GPA isn't the greatest, what SAT/ACT scores should I need to get to at least have a decent chance at the private colleges on my list?
Also, If I were to not improve much from the current SAT score I have, what are my chances then?
Thank you in advance for your time :)</p>

2

<p>What does your financial situation look like? Going to a UC/private college would be pretty expensive. Will you be receiving aid?</p>

3

<p>I will be receiving some aid from the colleges, being from a middle - class family.</p>

4

<p>I know my parents are able to support a decent amount, but not an entire 35k+tuition</p>

5

<p>You might look into some of the other [Association</a> of Independent Technological Universities: AITU](<a href=“http://theaitu.org%5DAssociation”>http://theaitu.org) schools, particularly the smaller ones. They have high tuition but a number of them give generous financial aid based on merit.</p>

6

<p>So, if i want to get into… say, columbia or cornell, what should my SAT/ACT score be at least?</p>

7

<p>You can look that info up here: [College</a> Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics](<a href=“http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/]College”>College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics) or on the school’s common data set.</p>

8

<p>Skip Binghamton. It is a great school, but lacks in Engineering. Great for other majors.
My son is at UBuff Eng and is doing great. The engineering, CS and sciences have a great reputation. Also, great experiences on campus for engineering students. New Eng/CS building opened this year.</p>

<p>Your scores are fine, but I’d limit apps to schools you will succeed at. Engineering is a tough major. besides SUNYs and CUNYs, Penn State and other Big Ten schools will be great for you.</p>

9

<p>*I will be receiving some aid from the colleges, being from a middle - class family.
*</p>

<p>Don’t count on great aid from a UC. You’re OOS and they don’t give great aid to OOS students.</p>

<p>When you say that your family is “middle class”, what do you mean?</p>

<p>I know my parents are able to support a decent amount, but not an entire 35k+tuition</p>

<p>It’s very possible that you wouldn’t get any aid from a UC.</p>

<p>Although your math is good, your other stats and GPA aren’t likely strong enough for top schools.</p>

10

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</p>

<p>Penn State and UIUC are not private colleges. They are public universities … and very expensive for those who do not live in their state, with little or no aid except for those with top stats, which you do not have. Ditto the UCs.</p>

<p>Cornell and Columbia are going to be real reaches for you, probably out of reach. There are a number of less-selective private schools in the east that have good engineering programs, such as Lafayette.</p>

11

<p>In addition to Lafayette (and some of the SUNYs), check out Union College (Schenectady) and Clarkson.</p>

12

<p>

While Lafayette may be less selective than Cornell or Columbia, it is still plenty selective. Mid-50% SATs for admitted students for Class of 2015 are:<br>
CR: 620–700
Math: 640–730
Writing: 620–710
[Entering</a> Class Profile About Lafayette College](<a href=“http://www.lafayette.edu/about/lafayette-at-a-glance/entering-class-profile/]Entering”>http://www.lafayette.edu/about/lafayette-at-a-glance/entering-class-profile/)</p>

<p>Not a ‘lock’ by any means for the OP.</p>

13

<p>I also think Cornell and Columbia are out of reach. The UCs ost $55,000 for OOs students, so if your family can’t pay that, forget them. Focus on schools in your state, those that gie guaranteed merit for your stats and good need based aid schools if your family can meet its EFC.</p>

14

<p>Thanks to everyone for their replies! :slight_smile: I really appreciate it :)</p>

<p>To answer the question about my parent’s income, it is about 60000.
My EC’s are as follows (not too many… considering the CC standard ;;:wink:
4 years in a Church Band (Performs regularly, 1 year as pianist, 3 years as lead vocal w/ guitar)
3 years in Soccer Club (not in school, plays and competes in competitions regularly)
2 years in robotics Team (1 year active member, 1 year president)
Dominican Republic trip (between fresh - soph, went and painted houses, taught kids english, various other volunteer activities)
London trip (missions trip, planning between junior - senior year)
NHS member
School concert band, 2 years
I think this is it… Oh, I play piano, guitar, flute, drums, various percussion instruments, bass… if this helps)</p>

<p>Also, two more questions:

  1. If I were to raise my SAT grades to above 2000, possibly even 2150+, then what would my chances be?
  2. Also, I have a downward trend in my grades from fresh - junior. (All A’s, to half A’s B’s, to mostly B’s, few A’s) how badly will this affect my admission?
    (*had 0 APs fresh, 1 AP soph, 3 AP’s junior)
    I lied, one more question xD
  3. How hard is engineering? >.< because i know a lot of people who changed to other majors from engineering… ;</p>
15

<p>"1. If I were to raise my SAT grades to above 2000, possibly even 2150+, then what would my chances be? "</p>

<p>Better. Still unlikely for the most selective schools, but would make you a strong candidate a lot of places where you’re marginal now.</p>

<p>“2. Also, I have a downward trend in my grades from fresh - junior. (All A’s, to half A’s B’s, to mostly B’s, few A’s) how badly will this affect my admission?”</p>

<p>It won’t help. The more selective the school, the more it will affect your chances.</p>

<p>“3. How hard is engineering?”</p>

<p>Hard. Lots of people wash out. It requires four (or more) years of sustained academic effort.</p>

16

<p>Is your GPA weighted or unweighted? You currently have a few things going against you- a downward trend in your GPA, financial limitations and SAT scores that are a few hundred points below where they neet to be to be competitive for top schools and for merit aid.</p>

<p>Look up the SAT scores for the schools you are considering to find out the mid 50% range and higher. I’d say off the top of my head you want scores in the high 2100s for some of them and 2200s+ for others if you can, which means you have some studying to do.
Yes, engineering is hard. I have 2 engineers (that feels weird to say, but the younger one is graduating in a few days). They worked hard in school. Its a great area but its a lot of work.</p>