<p>I think putting CMC and Pitzer in the "match" category is slightly off.
Looking at those two against Northwestern (and bearing in mind a few of these stats had to be pulled from different sources, so it's more of a 'big picture' type analysis):</p>
<p>CMC
Acceptance rate: 16.7%
Average HS GPA: 3.9
Princeton Review selectivity rating: 98
Students in Top Tenth of HS Class: 84%
% Submitting Score: 87%
Critical Reading Middle 50%: 620 - 730
Math Middle 50%: 630 - 740</p>
<p>NORTHWESTERN:
Acceptance rate: 26.8%
Average HS GPA: 3.8 (Wasn't listed on official site, but other sites list 3.7-3.8 depending on the year)
Princeton Review selectivity Rating: 98
Students in Top Tenth of HS Class: 85%
SAT:
% Submitting Score: 80%
Critical Reading Middle 50%: 670 - 750
Math Middle 50%: 680 - 770</p>
<p>PITZER
Acceptance rate: 26.2%
Average GPA: 3.7
Princeton Review selectivity rating: 90
Students in Top Tenth of HS Class: 32%
SAT:
% Submitting Score: 57%
Critical Reading Middle 50%: 570 - 680
Math Middle 50%: 550 - 650</p>
<p>Given these numbers, both NW and CMC seem like low reaches. (CMC being more of a match than NW, test-score wise , but the low acceptance rate and emphasis on ECs making admissions more of a crapshoot.) Pitzer, I think, seems like more of safety?</p>
<p>I'd say the University of Minnesota as both a safety and a financial safety. Its econ department is highly respected, ranked #15 by US News (graduate school rankings); it also has an outstanding (and separate) applied econ department, one of the best in the country. Its undergrad engineering program is ranked #25 nationally by US News, but stronger in some fields, e.g., #4 chemical engineering, #15 materials, #14 mechanical. Acceptance rate 57% (a bit lower for engineering), median ACT 26.3 for College of Liberal Arts, 29 for Institute of Technology (engineering); median SAT 1241 for College of Liberal Arts, 1331 for Institute of Technology. </p>
<p>Here's the best part: Minnesota has cut out-of-state tuition to $12,500/year ($6,250/semester X 2, or $2,000/semester above the in-state rate). At this rate it's one of the greatest bargains in undergraduate education, especially in fields like econ and engineering where it's easily a top-25 school.. And merit aid is available on top of that.</p>
<p>One thing to consider is that at bigger schools like Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, or the UCs, you apply separately to either the engineering school and to the undergraduate liberal arts college. Admission to one doesn't guarantee admission to the other; you need to apply for an internal transfer if you want to switch from engineering to econ (or some other liberal arts major), or vice versa. Consequently it's probably advisable to apply to the engineering school if you're genuinely undecided, as the engineering school is more selective and may not be as receptive to transfers from non-engineering majors. It should be much easier to transfer to the College of Liberal Arts from Engineering than vice versa.</p>
<p>As I realize how nice it is to have my list mostly finalized, I would like the thank everyone who contributed to this thread for donating a portion of their time to make my life less stressful. I appreciate it greatly.</p>
<p>Of course, if anyone still has suggestions, they are always welcome.</p>