<ol>
<li><p>Don’t make the decision yet. Apply to all and give yourself time to consider options.</p></li>
<li><p>At this stage, no school can tell you they will cover all expenses. Do NOT plan for any school to be zero. Each dorm is a different price level. Keep that is consideration. Do not forget to factor in travel costs, including shuttles from airport if necessary.</p></li>
<li><p>Bama – If you are NMF, it is likely the merit will remain unchanged and 1st year housing will be included. If you are NOT NMF, look into the University Fellows Program. This is competitive and includes additional scholarships. Bama’s application and admission acceptance can be completed over the summer. Get it done ASAP. Investigate the Emerging Scholars Program (freshmen research), University Scholars (BS/MS combined), MBA STEM and CBHP and University Fellows. You obviously cannot do all of these programs, but you should be aware of all opportunities for top scholars at Bama. A student with your stats can be a big fish here. All Honors Dorms are suite style this year. I encourage you to visit the school by contacting the Honors College Recruitment. By far, the most personalized tour visit DS had. Visit the Bama sub-forum here on CC for steps to apply. Bama is an easy application, but then the Honors College App, UFE/CBHP App and Scholarship App are all separate. Bama is also very generous with AP and CLEP credits. This may not matter to you, but if you are interested in multiple fields, this could permit a dual major easily. Fantastic Engineering equipment based on my discussion with 2 U of Rochester grads. Just completed the expansion of the Engineering college.</p></li>
<li><p>UVA – IMHO, one of the most beautiful schools in the country. Agree with Schokolade that the rep of UVA surpasses the other two schools. But, the opportunities here will not come to you as easily as at Bama. The application process is a little more complex, especially if you will apply to Jeffersonian Scholar.</p></li>
<li><p>U of Rochester – Unless you live in this type of climate and know you do not have Seasonal Affective Disorder, do not discount the weather factor. The tunnel system is in place for a reason! You stated you want Ch.E. If you are not 100% set on that, then I suggest you explore the Optics available at U of R. You don’t find many schools with this equipment that permit undergrads to use it. The more open curriculum here permits a dual major with ease. I realize you must likely put out money for here, but do factor in the 5th year free option. The campus is not as pretty as Bama or UVA. Our research (speaking with a handful of grads and 3 professors) showed it is not easy to complete work in Engineering and Music. The labs and music courses overlap. The plus side is a much smaller school and if you are interested in frats, a lower cost for Greek life.</p></li>
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<p>MUSIC SCENE – In general, my DS has discovered Bama is very difficult to see live music if under age. There is a new amphitheater, but it attracts very few performers compered to what my DS is used to in the Philly/S Jersey area. Bama does have many music groups that are by audition. The Million Dollar Band pulls from all majors. I don’t know about the scene at UVA.</p>
<p>CHEMICAL ENGINEERING – Not to muck up the waters, but Delaware is a highly ranked program. I do not know if they give aid to OOS.</p>
<p>PITT – Not the “new” facilities like Bama, but this is another place where top students are really appreciated and are given opportunities. Also like Bama, it is a rolling admission school. You would have an answer by October if you applied early.Pitt is not as transparent in the dollar awards offered for a full ride. Post on the Parent Forum. Several folks have OOS who got the full ride scholarships over the last few years. Applying earlier in the cycle appears to yield higher merit.</p>
<p>ENGINEERING RANKINGS – Be aware when looking at rankings, US News reports this on the Graduate level. </p>
<p>If you list is very top heavy with reach schools, then I’d urge you to apply to Bama or Pitt. This way the application and acceptance is done very early and you can focus on those other schools.</p>
<p>IMHO, I respect U of Rochester’s program, but there is not enough there to outweigh the cost issues for students who must be mindful of the budget.</p>