(Affordable) STEM in New England

College Search & Lists
1

So I (‘18 M) starting the process of going through Common App, but I’m starting to realize that I’m almost entirely lost so far as actual places to apply to. I see a lot of college filtering sites (including this one), but honestly I’m lost as to what I should even be looking for. I can’t really get a good sense as to what size I’m into, and I still don’t quite get what people mean by the “feel” of a college, despite the fact that I’ve taken three visits so far. I’m going through with teachers and guidance for extra assistence, but I was wondering if some people on this forum had any ideas towards pokes in the right direction.

Some quick stats:

Race: Hispanic (Dominican, so Afro-Latino)

SAT: 1540 (780 Math, 740 English)
GPAw: 3.8 (3.9 if I kick ass this year)
GPAu: 3.6 (3.7)

Major: Computer Science (STEM in general really but it’s the main thing I’m interested in atm. So a college with some flexibility with regards to deciding a major would be helpful)

Other Interests:

  • Huge theater nerd, albeit just within high school. Not looking into going pro.
  • Currently a buddying screenwriter/filmmaker, though I don’t want to go into college with it as a major.
  • At least 40 “official” hours of community service, def more if accounting for religious (Catholic) community service

Issues: My GPA is alright, but my yearly breakdown is grim. My first two years are good but my Junior year is very weak, starting with a general loss of motivation around the midyear ending in a complete anxiety-induced mental breakdown. Worse, most of the slips focus around a core AP clas (APUSH), and a STEM class (Chemistry). Beyond that I’m currently fighting through another STEM class (Physics Honors). I’m taking almost all of the AP classes available to me at the moment (Spanish, Literature, Calc BC), an honors, and a few electives, but I’m still pretty sure that my current situation is looking more midrange rather than top 20 for schools.

Right now I’ve looked at both BU and Northeastern and liked them both, but they’re both extremely expensive and I’m very concerned about financial aid (I doubt more than 20-30k a year is doable, based on what my parents have been able to front for college in the past). I want to stay local (so for me New England), but beyond that I’m somewhat lost. Considering my earlier mental health issues I am somewhat worried about finding a college that is right for me, but what “right” means and looks like is unknown. I know I want to have a social life (i.e. not drown myself in work), but I also want to go to a place where I feel, for lack of a better term, engaged by the classes. I want a place that forces me to work on my work ethic, but how to do thay without hurting myself is unknown.

I don’t really expect any “these are the colleges you should go to” posts, just a good idea as to where I might find good match, reach, and safties so that I don’t waste the next two months chasing fairytales.

2

What is your state?

Have you run the NPC for BU and Northeastern? Our experience would suggest that affordability is likely to be an issue for both but the NPC will be much more relevant than a stranger’s experience.

3

Each college has a net price calculator on its web site. You and your parents should try using them to get estimates of financial aid so that you can get a good idea of which colleges will be affordable or not.

4

Your state public universities are a starting point given your budget. Run net price calculators on other options.

5

In my experience, Northeastern is generous- my daughter was offered significant merit scholarships with similar stats (a little higher gpa, a little lower standardized test).

6

My son applied to four universities in the Northeast and received the most generous financial aid awards from Western New England University and Alfred University. Both came out costing less $$ than attending a state university. So, as a few others have suggested, use those net price calculators to see what each school you’re interested in might cost you. Definitely fill out the FAFSA! I am a big fan of smaller universities where class sizes are small, professors get to know their students, there is a greater community feel, and a less hectic atmosphere.

7

@ThePeoplesChum UMass Lowell should be affordable. Most affordable quality STEM option for New England. You should also look at WPI. They might be really generous with that SAT. They sometimes overlook a weaker GPA. Sounds like you will not get much for financial need? But you are hooked with a strong test score. You should also try UMass Amherst if you are instate. They are amazing for CS especially the hot topic of AI.