(Indicate advanced level, such as AP, IB, AICE, A-level, or college, courses as well as specifics in each subject)
English: All honors except AP Lang as a Junior
Math: Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, AP Calculus BC
Science: AP Physics C (Both), AP Physics 1, Chemistry and Biology Honors.
History and social studies: APUSH, AP World History, AP Gov, AP Psychology
Language other than English: 5 years of Spanish, took AP Spanish
Visual or performing arts: N/A
Other academic courses: AP Computer Science Principles and AP CSA
Awards
Not great, only have national awards like National Merit commendation, AP Scholar w/ distinction, College board national recognition.
Extracurriculars Worked at Mathnasium for 2 years, 100+ Volunteer hours with a bunch of small organizations, Computer Science and Math tutor for respective clubs, hobbies such as hiking and competing in E-sports (Won a regional tournament)
Essays/LORs/Other Pretty good Personal statement, most likely very strong Letter of Recs, and average Supplementals.
Schools
Assured (100% chance of admission and affordability): George Mason University Direct admit
Extremely Likely: JMU (EA), VCU(RD)
Likely:
Toss-up: Virginia Tech(EA), William and Mary(RD)
Lower Probability: UMD(EA)
Low Probability: Purdue(EA), UVA(ED)
***Eligible for Maximum Pell grant, also considering applying to more schools RD due to a fee waiver.
You have accomplished a lot in high school and have good stats! Have you ran any net price calculators to see if you’d be eligible for financial aid? I don’t see any private universities on your list and sometimes they are actually cheaper than publics. Although if you applied ED to UVA it may not matter.
All Virginia schools should be alright in terms of price, Purdue is reasonable (About 36k/year out of pocket), UMD is the only one who’s price is gonna be a real issue if I don’t get scholarships.
I’m not too certain about UVA odds, some people say because of instate ED I’m fairly safe while others still say its a hard reach for me. I am planning on applying to some private schools like case western incase I don’t make it into UVA.
Do you have an idea of which disciplines might interest you? If you’re really set on engineering (such as mechanical or civil, etc.), I’m not sure about how good of a choice William and Mary would be. But maybe you’re thinking of computer science or math.
For engineering I’m leaning towards Civil or Industrial, however I’m not super set on any discipline really. For William and Mary I’m planning on business
I think you are competitive for all the schools on your list. I also think Purdue is similarly selective as UMD and that they will really like your rigor. As such, I don’t think it’s low probability for you.
Zero concern with awards and ECs. Awards mean little. Most pit fluff. You don’t get an award for serving ice cream at Baskin Robins or walking dogs at the shelter etc. You are fine here.
What’s most important to you ? Budget or location?
$35k is easy but not at your list of OOS schools, including Purdue, where the budget and admission are both difficult. . Your stats get you as low as $20k at well respected schools (think south) - no risk or worry involved like your list has (outside of the in state safeties).
W&M has no ABET programs - why is it on your list ? JMU doesn’t have ABET accredited focus areas. Just a general degree. It has 3 concentrations but not sure they have the ABET seal.
I never get that. Do you want to be in engineering or business?
Nonetheless, no can do given it is not a direct admit school. To OP, I recommend you choose major over school name. In engineering, the school name matters little. ABET accreditation matters. Don’t go to school for something that isn’t what you want to study - in my opinion.
Myriad accredited schools will be safe and budget friendly thanks to your achievements.
From W&M - Students must apply directly to the Mason School if they wish to major or minor in a business discipline, typically during the second semester of sophomore year due to prerequisites required within the undergraduate program.
I think many students may not have a clear picture of what all they want to do and thus apply more broadly to schools with different majors. Then, when the acceptances are in, they can choose what’s more interesting after having more time to reflect.
Yes, both my kids ended up diversifying their applications with a couple of different majors depending on the school. Since it’s only early November now, applicants still have almost 6 months before they will have to commit to a college… and a lot can change for a high school student in that time.
I’m thinking not. The student is chasing name and cost. W&M is a big name in state. Every other school has engineering and OP noted in the first post engineering. But that’s what I think. None of us knows what’s in OP’s head.
I’m simply letting OP know there are accredited and budget friendly schools where their stats creat a cost that will 100% work, not cross your fingers like Purdue or UMD. That applies to the admission side too.
And without the admission risk too.
They also have that in-state with very solid VCU which has most engineering disciplines.
Undecided engineering. And OP also mentioned industrial engineering… which is somewhat business adjacent. I know my son went through a period where he was thinking about either business or industrial engineering. It doesn’t seem so inconsistent to me.
One school was bus - after the initial post when it was questioned.
I asked my wife about industrial engineering being business adjacent. She laughed. That’s her role - she was an IE. As she said one can make an argument for supply chain but most supply chain grads are in purchasing.
As she noted, the new dual programs have content from both - neither accredited but no, industrial is about process and flow - design, people, materials. It’s not business but it’s the softer engineering discipline so some link it there and those who are unable to finish go that route.
I simply gave an opinion - based on OPs desire.
OP can ignore or listen just like they can yours.
No reason to go in circles. Only OP knows what’s in their head.
It’s important they know they can study whatever they want - OOS - at budget but not at the schools they picked (they seem to think Purdue would hit but there’s no assurance). But there are OUTSTANDING schools for any major that thanks to their statistical achievements - would work.
My son says that at his school, all the old school IE professors have left and it’s “mostly another kind of data science / AI major now”
But really, it is not always easy for high school students to figure out what major they want! Applying to a variety of programs at least gives students a bit more time to think about this.
I think you’ll likely be accepted to UVA, as well as to all the other schools on your list.
How is Purdue going to be $36k? They are not generous with merit aid.
UMD isn’t either, and it’ll only be affordable if you receive their (very competitive and hard to get) full-ride B/K scholarship. Any other merit award will only bring the cost down to the mid 40s at best.
But you very likely don’t have to worry about this because I’m predicting you’ll be admitted to UVA.
While it wouldn’t surprise for OP to get in anywhere, including UVA, it’s certainly not assured.
If OP didn’t get into anywhere but VCU, would they be happy? That’s really the question.
If yes, the list is great. If the answer is no and they want to study engineering, then they need to add other OOS schools - not two that likely won’t be in range financially (Purdue and UMD).
And there’s lots of schools that easily make budget, from a Bama to UAH to Ms State to U Kansas, WVU and likely more - they are admission safeties too. And budget safeties - for this student, Bama would be $20k-ish all in (tuition, room, and board) given $30.5K automerit.
OP has JMU too - but that’s a more limiting school from an engineering POV but is also an admission safety. And it’s a fine b school.
