My List Sucks, Desparate, HELP

[Hunt]

My only comment is that I don't really think your list has too many schools, especially if you really want to go to one of the "reach" schools. I think others have made good comments about the specifics.

[Threesdad]

Gee Whiz; if the OP is looking for a true safety school, apply to Rutgers as you are in state. You are looking for a lay-up, that ball is available to be put into the basket.

If in NJ, have you looked at Stevens?

[ucbalumnus]

Originally Posted by MiddleSchoolGrad

They were posted on the other page:

<5%
>2200 single sitting
>2300 superscore

I'm instate for Rutgers but I'm definitely not applying.

Why the apparent "anywhere but Rutgers"?

[MiamiDAP]

The most engineering companies hire locally. The thing to look is program certificatin and some people like co-op, but it takes 5 years vs 4, one convinience of co-op for parents is that usually they support themselves while working, so tuition payments are streatched, helps with cash flow. Other than that not sure about advantages of going to one UG vs another. Later, it might be worthwhile to get PE (Proffessional Engineer), but everybody that I know, obtaine it while working. Most people around me are engineers, including my H. I used to be in engineering also, but swithced after 11 years of working, I just could not make myself to like it. Most people do like it a lot though.

[GCLawmom]

I never really understand why people think anyone is applying to too many schools. As long as you have safties that you would be happy with, can afford the application fees and don't mind putting in the work on the essays to make each of your applications good, I see no downside.

In fact, if my son had narrowed his list, he wouldn't currently be attending school where he is (as his counselor told him not to add anymore "reachy" schools). I think your list looks good but agree that you may want to add a couple more match and safety schools. I also agree with others that Michigan for OOS can't really be considered a safety anymore. My son was deferred there (with acceptances to two top 20 schools) with a 33 ACT and 4.9 GPA.

Good luck. There is something to be said for the law of large numbers and you only need one acceptance (which are quite random these days) to a dream school to make it worth the application fee.

[MiddleSchoolGrad]

>I'm puzzled by why the need to choose between Engineering and Arts and >Sciences has made you hesitant about Cornell in particular. You will have to >make the same choice at most universities, won't you?

Not at first... Of the schools on my list you only have to do that for Cornell and Columbia (SEAS vs CC). And I probably won't even apply to Columbia, I don't like it that much except its in NYC. I like Chicago even though it doesn't have engineering because I feel like it'll give me a good foundation with the core and stuff. I want to go to grad school and I'm pretty sure you can go to Engineering grad school with like a physics degree right? TBH if I get into MIT EA I'll take like half the schools off.

No one wants to go to Rutgers.

[MiddleSchoolGrad]

omg I just saw this, THIS is exactly why no one should go to Rutgers...

Please help me

[MiamiDAP]

"I'm pretty sure you can go to Engineering grad school with like a physics degree "
-I am pretty sure NOT. Engineering is NOT physics. Physics is a science, engineering is using various science backgrounds in technology. I do not think it works like Med. School. You can go to Med. school with any degree if you complete requirements. I believe that engineering needs much much more than physics. It absolutely does not matter which UG you go for engineering. Just choose the one that you personally like the best.

[Threesdad]

MSG: People on the board offer you sincere advise. If you choose to read what they offer, wonderful. If you have pre-conceived notions on what path you choose per the post above about a freshman in a Rutgers Dorm, so be it.

Best of luck to you in your search.

[mathmom]

@MiamiDAP
I'm absolutely positive you can go to Engineering grad school without majoring in engineering as an undergrad. No school that I checked required it. And there are even threads on CC about it: Engineering Graduate school without undergrad?

[MiamiDAP]

^ I guess so, I cannot imagine though, how it works as engineering UG is absolutely the hardest UG major of them all, much harder than pre-med requirements. I cannot imagine studying engineering at Grad. level without any engineering backgound.