You’re right, there is no objective information that gets everything. My son’s absolute requirements were “really smart kids, a CS degree, and small”. Our requirement was “either a good merit scholarship or meets-need or in-state public”. There were also many nice-to-haves. We got that information from the College Board school-finder and another school-finder site. We paid about $30 for someone’s data (prince ton rev iew, I think, not sure) and flipped it all around based on those four requirements. From College Board, we found “really smart” with both the percent admitted and the mid-range math SAT, both of which are deeply flawed criteria, but it was the best we could come up with. The size and CS degree were easy. From the colleges’ web sites (and acceptance packages) we found out about financial aid. </p>
<p>There was the additional concern with smaller schools that has been mentioned in this thread, that they don’t REALLY have the classes to support a major. One of the schools on the list met all the criteria, but had only two CS professors, and the CS degree required all but TWO of the classes offered by the department, and those two were required for the honor’s degree. I was terribly concerned that if he didn’t get into his first choice school, we were going to have big fights about his wanting to go to that one and my objections over the strength of the program. </p>
<p>In your case, figure out your few absolute requirements (ABET accreditation in his program has to be one of them). Then get a list of schools that are accredited in his flavor of engineering from ABET’s site. Then start creating a spreadsheet or list or dartboard.</p>
<p>Whatever you do, be sure he applies to safety schools (schools that absolutely would admit him, that he would attend, that have his major, and that he can afford). </p>
<p>GeekMom, Mudd’s on the list! We have a relatively high EFC though, so getting in would only be part or that equation.</p>
<p>In Cali, Stanford, Cal Poly SLO and Santa Clara round out the list.</p>
<p>He’s got a bunch of good safety options, but there aren’t any safeties for anyone now days where the “kids are all smart.” Certainly they’d all have a bunch of smart kids. Those schools, none ideally as small as he’d like, are Oregon State, Colorado State, Utah and Montana State. All offer respectable engineering, easy entry with his stats and affordable tuition via in state or WUE exchange.</p>
<p>He’s yet to take the SAT. He’s not a NMSF, but he will be commended. If he gets the typical bump when he studies and takes the SATs, he should be in the hunt most places. Then the randomness comes into play.</p>
<p>So, is U of Rochester NOT being considered? I wonder because it seems to be a very good fit for what you described. Pretty good engineering (not top ranked, but not bad) and very LAC-like. Tons of LAC class options and also all pretty smart kids. Med size also.</p>
<p>U of R may re-enter the fray. He needs to at least do a round of visits to even decide if East is a high or low priority. Rochester didn’t work into the loop we had time to do. We might be back.</p>
<p>As it stands he’ll officially see Olin, Tufts, Dartmouth, UVM, Cornell, Bucknell, Lehigh and Lafayette, with a Sunday drive by of RPI and Union.</p>
<p>That ought to give him enough info. to start focussing his interests.</p>
<p>It is a really interesting place though, but if he doesn’t like schools that are too tech-focused I don’t see how it meets his criteria. It is engineering only. Your time might be better spent on WPI, assuming that BU and Northeastern are too large for consideration.
I admit to being a little prejudiced though
Another thought, do you have a copy of the Fiske Guide to Colleges? I really like their descriptions of each college, they are pretty spot on with the colleges I am most familiar with. It might help you get a good feel for these schools ahead of time.</p>
<p>Many will be surprised, but here’s F. W. Olin’s description of itself to ASEE:</p>
<p>Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering is a small undergraduate engineering college. Engineering education at Olin is in the liberal arts tradition, with a strong emphasis on the arts, humanities, social sciences, and entrepreneurship. Olin’s educational perspective provides a distinctive student experience designed to foster student engagement and development. Key features include hands-on learning, open-ended project-based learning, and multidisciplinary learning. The college offers majors in electrical and computer engineering, engineering, and mechanical engineering.</p>
<p>In response to post #12: Sounds like you have your criteria all set and visits are planned. I’m sure that that will clarify the situation. Frankly, if he is really interested in being a practicing engineer, any solid ABET accredited program (near mountains) will do fine. Have you considered Colorado School of Mines?</p>
<p>Rochester likes you to interview, and they don’t allow it before June, so it doesn’t make sense to visit spring of junior year anyway. Tufts has their Engineering information sessions on Friday, and if Dan gives it, it’s really worth rearranging your trip for. </p>
<p>Your trip sounds pretty hard. From the order you seemed to have
Mon: Olin, Tufts
Tues: Dartmouth
Wed: Uvm
Thurs: Cornell
Fri: Bucknell
Sat: Lehigh, Lafayette
Sun: RPI, Union</p>
<p>I’d replace UVM with WPI. WPI is less than an hour from Boston, on your way to anywhere west or south. I just can’t see coming all the way out east for UVM when Colorado-Boulder is an option. Talk about great skiing!</p>
<p>I don’t know what to make of Olin. It seems like an experiment where the results are still unknown. YMMV</p>
<p>I think I’d do
Mon: Lehigh Lafayette (but spend enough time at Lehigh, I think that’s a high choice for you) These two are a great contrast
Tue: Bucknell
Wed: Cornell
Thurs: RPI or WPI
Fri: Olin, Tufts (hit their engineering info session and engineering tour in the afternoon)
Sat: Dartmouth
Sun: If you really must see UVM - drive 2 hrs from Dartmouth Sat Afternoon, spend Sat night in Burlington, see UVM Sunday morning and drive back to Boston (4 hours)</p>
<p>This way if your flying to Boston, the only really long drive is from Boston to Lehigh (5 hours). I might look into flying to Philly or Newark and doing a one-way rental to Boston.</p>
<p>CRD, we’re making a big loop. Tufts Monday, Olin Tuesday, Dartmouth Wednesday, UVM Thursday (we have friends in Burlington), ski at Stowe Fri/Sat, RPI/Union informal visits Sunday, Cornell Monday, Bucknell Tuesday, Lehigh Wednesday, Lafayette Thursday, back to Tahoe for a race on the weekend.</p>
<p>Boulder is on the list. We’ll visit, but on another trip. That will include u of Denver, Boulder, CSU and Wyoming.</p>
<p>We’re flying into Logan and out of Newark.</p>
<p>I’ll look at your alternatives and see how they might jive. Thanks!</p>
