I did something like this for USC as well. I wanted to do engineering and business and these two school had a stem major combined with business so that is what I chose. However I have not heard much about these majors so I don’t know their reputation.
That is a lot of expensive schools and I hope you’ve got your spreadsheet humming along for additional essays/honors college/scholarships
Congrats on the in-state acceptances. Please update us on your final decision!
Thank you very much for the update; it’s always great to find out what decisions students end up making. Congrats on the admits to Alabama, Auburn, and Purdue! All three are terrific options to have.
Although your family doesn’t want you to discuss finances (I’m assuming theirs) on a public forum, it would be helpful if you would end up sharing what kind of merit aid (if any) you receive at the schools, as that would be helpful to others as they consider applications in future years to these schools and how their profile compares with your own. No disclosures about need-based aid would need to be made, as that is obviously different for every family.
Congrats on the admits, and good luck with the rest.
Please consider the fact that in engineering, comp sci, and the like, after your first job, no one will care where you went. I know a man who has a 2 yr degree in Comp Sci, retired a few years ago, who routinely made >300K/yr managing teams doing comp sci for major companies. All that mattered was his work history. Obviously, if you get fin aid or merit aid that brings the cost down close to in-state for you, and you prefer to go there, sure, but there is no need for you to spend more for a big name school in your field.
For the instates I got the standard act merit the 10-12k per year. Purdue didnt give me anything. I don’t know how I would go on from there on how to get merit aid from the schools in specific.
I know some kids get merit (my son did but was 5 years ago). I know @momofboiler1 has stated recently they give less merit now.
My son had a 34 ACT. His friend had a 36 and 10 or 11 APs and nearly straight A, got nothing and went to UTK…and has landed nicely.
Purdue is one of few on your list that give merit (or enough merit to get to a low cost) - but I think overall they give merit to few. Even without merit, it will likely be lower in cost than other upcoming acceptances short of the schools that give need aid should you have. Their full price is very competitive.
Thank you for sharing the amount of merit aid you’ve received from your current acceptances. I’m not sure I understand the rest of your statement, but nobody expects you to know whether (and if so, how much) merit aid you’ll receive from any of the pending schools on your list. A number of the schools you applied to that haven’t made their decisions yet do offer merit aid, even if only to a very small number of students. It would just be appreciated if you keep us posted as to any merit aid you receive.
USC was a deferral.
GT, UIUC, and maybe UMIch come out tomorrow
UMich (robotics)- accepted
UIUC (Systems Engineering and Design)- accepted
GT (MechE)- deferred
Kinda upset that GT deferred me. But I’m still grateful for the acceptances.
Wow. Impressed. Don’t be bummed. That’s two fantastic gets !!!
Very nice results! But again, two very expensive schools. Your precious UMich is going to cost around $70k a year. YIKES!! But if you and your family think this is an investment in the future and you trust yourself to work hard, then go for it but not by all means. Again, luckily this is not ED so you have not trapped yourself to go. Remember what other, more experienced members in this post have reminded you. My D22 saw similar results to yours and I advised her to choose our state flagship that gave great aids. At first, she was prestige hungry like you might be right now but she eventually came around. Now at her state flagship, she is thriving and landing internships left and right. Some with students that are going to the schools that you’re so excited about. The gist is to be smart about this. Enjoy the acceptances right now. Later when it comes to deciding be smart and don’t put financial stain on you or your family. Once again, congratulations.
Please DM me if you need (it seems you do) one on one guidance. I’m more than happy to go indepth about D22’s success. From what I’ve read it seems that @tsbna44 is also very educated so they also seem like a good source. But I don’t want to speak on behalf of them.
Two great gets - but COA for Michigan this year is actually over $76k first two years and $80k 3rd and 4th years. That’s for this year’s kids.
I don’t see it at Michigan but some schools charge more for engineering. Purdue, for example, charges $2,050.
Conversely, due to the student’ ACT, Bama gives $2500 a year.
Great gets by OP. He really stepped up.
Money matters - but differently to every family. I’m convinced, I’ve seen - the same jobs can be had from any school on the list. Ultimately OP and family will decide what’s best for them.
Much to be proud of based on the admits.
Great points here. Exactly why I feel that OP should reach out to me or @tsbna44 My DMs are open.
So, 350K for Mich, vs free for Alabama. Salary for first job, the same, and after that it’s all based upon what you can do. You want a prestigious name on your resume? Do well in undergrad (you most definitely will), work a couple of years, then go to MIT or Columbia or wherever is best for you, for your masters degree, and you’ve got the complete portfolio.
Plus you’ve paid for your first home in some areas of the country, and a massive downpayment on it in other parts of the country, with the 350K you didn’t spend on college.
Why is it that when others comment, they get 5+ likes. But when I suggest, no one wants to interact. That too when they’re stealing my ideas . OP still hasn’t dmed me and I’m starting to give up on him.

when I suggest, no one wants to interact.
https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/common-app-essay/3641692
Still waiting for my family to get home before checking but to those that got accepted: is there a video or confetti? Or is it just a message? And congratulations!

I’m more than happy to go indepth about D22’s success
Probably because in some threads you are seeking essay advice or waiting on your family for your Rice ED results, suggesting you are a student in the midst of applications. In others you indicate you are a parent of a D22.
Which is it for context please?
Ahhhh this makes a lot more sense. I have been using this account on behalf of my S24. Now that he is into college, I have stayed on in order to stay updated and guide others. I can see why people may have been confused
Might I “suggest” you stop doing that and open your own account.
In addition to confusing users, it violates ToS to pretend to be someone you’re not or to share accounts.
You’ve received a warning about sharing accounts. This violates ToS. Please setup your own account.
Edit: cross-posted with another mod.