Suggestions welcome

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Alright, I am thinking about starting out engineering (biomedical or maybe mechanical) at whatever school I do go to, because I enjoy math and science, but I am not positive on this, as I might end up switching to economics or who knows what, since I am not really sure at this point.
Here are my stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 101.1 or so weighted, not sure exactly what it converts too, although prob like a 96 unweighted
Sat's: 780 math 690 CR 730 writing SAT IIs: 800 chem 780 IIC
Rank: 4th out of 422 or so
Classes: most I challenging offered
AP Chem (5) these two weren't ap classes, just honors-->AP u.s. history (4)
AP world history (4)
currently in AP physics, ap english, ap gov, ap calc ab, spanish 5</p>

<p>ec's (weak compared to all of these superstars):
school band 4 years (all county twice, gold on solo performances)
Rock band with friends- ahve been in 3 diff. ones throughout HS
Varsity Swimming 9-12 years- Sectionals for 3 years in breaststroke
Varsity Tennis 10-12 years - counties/sections and team won div.
Varsity XC 11th
Key Club 9-12 NHS 11-12
Volunteering at animal shelter (just over 2 summers)
program for mentally challenged during 11th and over summer
Founded my school's ultimate frisbee club
Youth in Gov 11,12 Student Gov. class representative 11-12
Road biking for past 3 years, ride 2-6 hours a week, have done quite a few charity rides, plan on doing Pan Mass Challenge this coming year </p>

<p>Awards:
National Merit Semifinalist (don't know about finalist yet)
AP Scholar
Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award</p>

<p>I am sure there is other stuff I can't remember</p>

<p>Anyone have any school suggestions (even though I am not positive about engineering, but will probably start out in it since I don't know what else to)? I applied MIT early (not getting my hopes up) and was looking at applying to cornell, columbia, penn, JHU, Brandeis (no engineering I know), urochester, possibly olin, and there are a few others I am thinking of but am not sure. I am wondering what everyone else thinks, including adding a reach schools like stanford (although I have too many reaches right now). Thanks for any advice.</p>

2

<p>Oh I am from NY, if that helps at all, from a public school that sends maybe 1 or 2 kids to ivies a year max, last year none to ivies, best school was emory or BC.</p>

3

<p>Shouldn't be a problem getting into most good engineering/science programs. Any major state school (Mich, one of the SUNYs), Case Western (probably get good merit aid) would allow you to change to econ if you want later.</p>

4

<p>I think you'd be a good applicant for Olin, but do remember Olin offers only engineering degrees.</p>

5

<p>wow where are you from, cause you seem so familiar..</p>

6

<p>Looks like you are missing match schools. If you get blanked on all your reaches (ivies, JHU and Olin) and accepted at the others, would you be content with your options?</p>

<p>If not, look at a few more schools like Carnegie Mellon and U Michigan. RPI or Case Western would be almost safeties for you; you would be wise to add one if finances are a consideration.</p>

7

<p>yeah i am missing reach schools, and carnegie mellon was on my list, i just somehow forgot it. I was thinking about Case Western, but have heard some negative things about it (although there are negative things about every school). Any other suggestions?</p>

8

<p>Also, any other suggestions on majors? Or should I just stick with engineering to start out and go from there?</p>

9

<p>It's much easier to start in engineering and then switch majors if you have to. Engineering has an extensive core of required classes. You'll typically have just one elective each semester. </p>

<p>Since most schools have a separate selection process for their engineering schools, you do need to be committed from the start. (MIT is the exception.) Think about getting an engineering-related job or internship for the summer.</p>

10

<p>I recommend Carnegie Mellon.</p>

11

<p>Tufts, RPI, Bucknell, Lehigh, Lafayette, Villanova.</p>

12

<p>I would look at the five US Service Academies. You see to be a good fit. The Academy that provides the most options is the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.</p>

<p>The Academies aren't for everyone, but they are worth a look.</p>

13

<p>Funny you mention the service academies, as I just got a letter from west point last week, but i really don't have any interest in going there. I was actually going to check out tufts (after olin) this weekend. Anyone know if there engineering is reputable? It is pretty low on the rankings, but I know rankings are not everything.</p>

14

<p>Tufts' engineering is excellent. It suffers in the [awful] USNWR rankings because it is a) very focused on undergraduate education and b) quite small, and the engineering rankings tilt towards larger engineering schools that have huge graduate-level programs. </p>

<p>As a result, however, Tufts undergrad engineers get all the benefits grad students are used to at places like MIT, in terms of complete access to professors, research grants, lab space, etc. Engineering grad school placement is also very good for Tufts engineering undergrads.</p>

<p>It's a small school -- only about ~180 in each undergraduate class, and you can cross-register easily w/ the Liberal Arts school, and even end up double-majoing in Economics, an interest you indicated above. And Econ is a strong, popular major at Tufts. </p>

<p>Consider sending a PM to CC user Ariesathena. She is an engineering grad from Tufts.</p>

15

<p>Thanks a lot. I must say, the rankings are a terrible thing, wish i never bought the book haha.</p>

16

<p>Roger that on West Point. But West Point and Kings Point are two different animals. Good luck on your search.</p>