Urban (at least not rural) engineering schools for my stats?

College Search & Selection
1

I’m a junior female in the state of Virginia, so I prefer the east coast but will consider other schools. I am aware of the schools in my state, but I want to apply to some out of state as well.

I have a 1400 SAT (750 Math, 650 Reading) and am planning to retest. My UW GPA is a 3.89. I am/have taken only 4 AP classes, one being chemistry, with the rest being honors. Next year, I do plan on taking 4-5 APs. My ECs could be better, but I’ve been committed to them for several years and founded a vegan club which is probably not the norm.

It doesn’t have to be urban, but if it was near a city, that would be nice! Thank you!

2

What have your parents said they will or can pay per year? Start with that and then let us know. If the budget is low, your in-state options are likely going to be the best bet.

3

A few of these are reaches with your test scores… I was brainstorming around cities

UT Dallas
U Minnesota Twin Cities
Arizona State
Boston University and other Boston area schools
Rice University/University of Houston
Washington university STL
Case Western/Cleveland State
Hopkins
Temple
U Denver
CMU/Pitt

4

Engineering can be an option at a range of schools.

In terms of tech-focused schools in particular, you could research RPI and WPI.

Cooper Union, which might be within your range, particularly with a strong retest, would offer you the ultimate urban experience.

5

NC State

6

CMU= Big Reach
ASU, not so much

7

Stevens Institute of Tech, urban with a pretty defined campus. You would get merit from them with your stats. And they want girls!

8

UMD, Drexel, Villanova, Pitt, Penn State, GT.

9

Also, save yourself some grief. Take AP Calc BC and AP Physics.

10

I saw ut dallas more of an international and commuter feel for their school. SMU would likely be the better Dallas option for a more rounded college experience and has twice the national average of women in engineering.

11

Check with your parents money wise (and transportation wise) before you go further. You have excellent engineering options in your state. If your family is not wealthy and you really want to/need to go OOS, you could also look at schools known for good merit or need based aid . If your family is wealthy and will pay for any school, you have multiple options.

12

UVA and Virginia Tech are great in-state options.

Case Western is in a nice area of Cleveland. Euclid Avenue effectively splits the campus and has lots of businesses geared toward the university community. A research hospital is directly adjacent to campus. It is much more of an urban experience than UVA or Tech. It offers generous merit aid that might make it not too much more expensive than those in-state options, relatively speaking.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a hidden gem. We are also from your part of the country and did not know much about it. It’s ranked higher than Tech by USNWR. Beautiful campus, nice area of Worcester, a campus but in the city (3rd largest in New England, I think), mid-size school, very hands-on and project-oriented, if that appeals. It gives merit money, but probably not as much as Case.

Santa Clara University is another out-of-the-box option. It’s more suburban than urban. Beautiful campus, great internship opportunities right in Silicon Valley.

Georgia Tech would be a reach, but certainly a possibility. It receives many more applications now compared to just a few years ago. You are a strong student though. It’s also a campus, right by downtown Atlanta, with lots of internship possibilities nearby. It would be expensive OOS. Good luck!

13

I second Case Western. Rochester Institute of Technology. If you can do a smaller city, Rose-Hulman in Indiana might be great for you. Virginia Commonwealth should be a nice urban safety and affordable.