I happen to have heard a lot about this one because my S24’s girlfriend is in it! I also have zero idea how it actually compares to others, nor am I sure it really matters as long as it is an option.
Incidentally, the consensus in those circles seems to be this is a considerably less “brutal” EMT experience on average than most big-city/non-university experiences. Like, lots of helping drunk college kids and such, but much less in terms of tragic car accidents, pediatric neglect and trauma, horrific living environments, and so on. Not sure if the OP’s kid would care either way, but I thought it worth mentioning.
I don’t think anyone thought it wasn’t a great list but rather not a list to take advantage of national merit. That’s really the only concern I had because OP mentioned that.
I would note neither Princeton nor Yale have an ABET accredited biomedical engineering degree but do both have a chem engineering degree - but something to think about in the case plans change. Obviously the schools believe that the ABET accreditation isn’t necessary, perhaps given their academic objectives.
With premed intentions I believe you already hit the jackpot with an early admit from Pitt. Hopefully your student receives merit. It used to arrive a few weeks after the acceptance letter- not sure if that is still the case.
I think this student is also a very strong contender for the “low probability” schools on this list, including Duke.
In recent cycles Pitt merit could start arriving quickly around Octoberish, but then some people randomly did not get it until as late as March, even if admitted much earlier.
One thing about Pitt - there’s no rhyme or reason both to merit and the Honors College. My kid was admitted to two of the top three Honors Colleges at the time ( UGA/u of SC) but couldn’t crack FSU and was WL at Pitt (didn’t stay on).
It’s not an assurance that even the most esteemed get in although I think anyone can take classes, even if not in the Honors College.
Not sure if Pitt Honors is of interest. Pitt may simply be the safety for this student in case all else fails (which it won’t).
OP here. Just wanted to say that I only found this community and decided to take a chance and ask this question. You guys have been awesome! Thanks and hope your kids are doing well.
Some of us get carried away beyond the original question.
Best of luck to your student. I hope you come back after decisions come in. It will have been long ago since we’ll have heard from you but it’s always nice to hear how things have gone.
OP”s post mentions they have no budget constraints. I fully support following her fit schools if the family is willing. I’m one of those students who took a NMF full ride many decades ago. Although I’m very very grateful to not have dealt with student debt, the school was not at all a good fit, I spent way too much time studying to maintain my gpa (it was a scaling up gpa requirement to keep it), and left it in the rearview mirror the day I graduated.
We will need aid for our own D to afford some of the colleges on her early list, so if OP is able to support her D no matter the cost, I’m super supportive of that.
This is such an impressive profile that it may just come down to the clarity of the “application persona” (terrible phrase, but somewhat accurate) and how successful the “Why Duke” essay is.
You look like a rockstar and likely could get anywhere you like. If you’re doing engineering why not look at the top 20 undergrad engineering programs.
My kid is was actually one of the 9% OOS applicants accepted to and is at Georgia Tech. My DC is doing very well and has found that many top companies do target Georgia Tech because of their academic reputation. Most everyone of his friends have had top internships and co-ops at major companies and all DC’s friends that have recently graduated have gotten jobs at major companies. So, for us, speaking from personal experience and the investment coming from OOS, it has been everything we had hoped it would be. The Georgia Tech name will get your foot in the door at a lot of places, but it’s definitely up to the individual to take advantage of their opportunities if given. Not to mention, many Georgia Tech grads are at these top companies and many in executive and hiring positions so the networking in the tech industry is fantastic! OP’s kid has great schools on their list and I didn’t even see Georgia Tech on there. But, since you brought it up once again I wanted to respond from the standpoint of personal experience of a parent whose kid is actually there.
From what I understand of the OP’s original framework, while merit and/or honors at Pitt would be nice, they are not necessary for Pitt to be a great choice for their kid. Of course it doesn’t hurt either, but that means they are now guaranteed to be able to go to a great option, and the rest of this is just about getting some options they would like even more (which is of course fine).
Georgia Tech offers very limited non-need-based merit scholarships for OOS students, with <5% of the student body receiving merit awards. So the competition is very fierce. Luckily for D27, not impossible.
If OP is full pay, it wouldn’t matter - but Ga Tech is reasonably priced full pay for an OOS student vs. others. Given they’ve yet to bite on any NMF type offer, they’re likely ok paying full juice - especially if Duke is their ED.
Whether they thought about the 4 years of med school costs too - I dunno. But it does appear cost isn’t a consideration whatsoever.