<p>DS has a 3.95uw gpa and 35 ACT. He has taken a mix of Honors and AP core courses in HS. However, due to depression/anxiety issues, he took a less-than-full load a couple of semesters, and did not get involved in extracurriculars. He is feeling so much better now and we are looking for schools with solid electrical engineering, physics and/or computer science programs, especially those with strong need-based aid or merit for stats. We live out west and know the schools out this way, but he thought he might also look Northeast where his brother will probably be. Mountains and snow would be a plus, but not essential. He prefers mid sized, and prefers rural, then urban, then suburban. Thanks for any suggestions.</p>
<p>State of residency? Cost constraints?</p>
<p>Stony Brook and UMass - Amherst would be northeastern schools that could be worth looking into for safeties (Stony Brook is relatively low cost for out of state).</p>
<p>Somewhat south of there, Virginia Tech and NCSU are also relatively low cost for out of state. NCSU has a competitive full ride Park Scholarship to apply to.</p>
<p>State of residency is Colorado. We’re hoping to get the cost down to 25K or less with aid. With FAFSA, our EFC is approx. 23K as we will have two in college at the same time (twins). However, I’ve run net price calculators for over 20 Profile schools for my other son, and they’ve varied from 18K-37K, depending on the school.</p>
<p>You’ve taken a great first step in running the NPCs. Something in a little different direction is U Alabama where he should get full tuition merit.</p>
<p>I’d suggest to tale a look at Rochester, Case Western, and RPI. All good science/engineering schools eager to recruit high stats students.</p>
<p>You could look at Northeastern University in Boston. My husband went there and loved it. He studied Mechanical Engineering. It is a Co-op school. They appear to really like high stats. They guarantee full-tuition scholarships to National Merit Finalists (meaning students that scored in the top 1% on their Junior Year PSATs). Did he take his PSATs last year? They have other merit scholarships as well.</p>
<p>Northeastern and B.U. - but they are both pretty big.
What about WPI (small city) and Clarkson (rural, lots of snow!).</p>
<p>I think Cornell would be something to look at: they have snow, rural, a great comp sci program, and they meet 100% of need.</p>
<p>Read your comment about depression and then the suggestions of Clarkson and Cornell. I do not know the day-to-day weather at Clarkson other than to agree that there will be lots of snow and it is really rural. Potsdam could make Ithaca look urban, and Ithaca is not urban!</p>
<p>I can tell you that many find the weather at Cornell depressing. I enjoyed four fun years there but the winters were endless. Lake-effect snow and grey skies. (It snowed during final exams in early May my sophomore year!) I am not writing this to discourage you from considering Cornell, as I think it is a WONDERFUL place with so many opportunities. There is just so much to do there, the campus is beautiful, and there are thousands of course options, or so it seemed. Since you said your son likes snow, he may not be bothered by it at all. </p>
<p>Also, 19K students with 13K undergrad, I believe. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for their help. CT1417, I’m glad you mentioned “grey skies”. We tend to get a lot of sun during our winter days here in CO, and I forget it’s not that way everywhere else. That would have a big impact on my DS’ decision, I’m sure.</p>
<p>Back to investigating!</p>
<p>A sophomore year roommate moved home to Colorado halfway through the school year as she was tired of jogging around the lake in snow. (The campus is gorgeous and the lake was quite close to our sorority house.) She missed Colorado winters where she could ski in shorts. We spent the winters layered in turtlenecks and sweaters.</p>
<p>Now, having said all of this, you cannot predict the weather from year to year. Winter barely came to Ithaca last year. 70s and sunny in mid-March. The prior year saw school closings for snow. That almost never happens, but it was a snowy year. Good luck with your search.</p>
<p>Alfred University (NY) </p>
<p>[Alfred</a> University : Financial Aid : Undergraduate Freshmen Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.alfred.edu/finaid/scholarships/]Alfred”>http://www.alfred.edu/finaid/scholarships/) Merit Aid as high as $15,000 per year. </p>
<p>COA is about 40K per year.</p>