Definitely engineering. Most likely electrical and/or computer engineering.
GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
Unweighted HS GPA: 3.97
Weighted HS GPA: School only allows APs starting junior year with a limit of 4, then limit 5 in senior year, so it’s around a 4.4 but I did take the maximum rigor available.
Class Rank: School doesn’t calculate but the only blemishes on my transcript are 1 A- and 1 half-credit B+ in my freshman year.
ACT/SAT Scores: 1570 SAT; 780 English and 790 math.
AP Scores: 5’s on physics c: mechanics, Spanish language, calc BC. Got a 4 on APUSH.
List your HS coursework
English: Since I reached the maximum number of AP classes through other subjects, I had to take standard English all 4 years.
Math: 9th grade honors alg 2 → 10th standard precalc → 11th AP calc AB (self-studied for the BC exam and got a 5) → calc 3 S1 and diff eq S2
Science: 11th grade AP physics c: mechanics (got a 5). 12th grade AP physics c: e&m
History and social studies: 11th grade APUSH (got a 4) and 12th grade AP micro+macroeconomics
Language other than English: 11th grade AP Spanish language (got a 5)
Visual or performing arts: I was in the school band until 11th grade (had leadership)
Other academic courses: AP statistics
Awards
Not much but whatever the AP scholar thing is for passing 4 AP exams and also national merit semifinalist (I’m not sure if the next round’s results come back before or after I have to submit at the start of November)
Extracurriculars
Overall I think it’s somewhat important to note that I don’t have many STEM related EC’s on my activities list and not much of an engineering spike" as I’ve heard people call it (not even sure what that means).
2-week-long school-facilitated work experience with a local medtech startup. Culminated in a mock board meeting where I presented some research I did on a sleeve that uses synthetic DNA-strands to test for sepsis biomarkers in sweat (it was Google and email type of research not like laboratory research unfortunately)
I’m proficient in Photoshop, and I like to do sports graphic design, so I have a few things about that. Mainly a club I co-founded where we teach people how to make graphics; I co-run the school athletics Instagram with the same person; I do paid work like one summer media internship thing where I did a bunch of Photoshop and Instagram stuff for 2 months, or another at a different tech startup where I made some promotional content and also researched some manufacturing firms to help with localization
Section leader in band from 7-10th grade (quit in 11th)
Varsity sports 4 years and captain 1. Spent the vast majority of my free time on sports outside of school but don’t really have much to show for it like awards or scholarships for example (except I had a great time and that’s all that matters)
Meh ones: I was section leader in band from 7-10th grade (quit in 11th and no all-state selection or anything), I’ve done some light volunteering (~30hrs over 3 years), member of NHS, and I had a job for the summer between 9-10th grade.
Essays/LORs/Other
LOR from my AP mechanics teacher (probably not stellar but still solid and it should show growth)
Essay has good feedback from my college counselor and I think it’s pretty good too.
Schools
Reaches: Georgia Tech, UIUC, Purdue
Targets: NC State
Safeties: Virginia Tech, UNC Charlotte
The theme is pretty much affordable engineering schools near NC. I have legacy to GT, so while first-year admission is a reach, I’m hoping to be offered the conditional transfer pathway program. That would be my #1 school, and then NC State is the realistic dream school just because of the value of in-state tuition, and their engineering program is very good.
I’m always confused when you mention budget - and it varies by school. You can/will likely get to similar places from most of these.
I have to think you’d get into UNCC, Va Tech, NC State, and even Purdue - although it may be tougher this year given their over-enrollment. Are you truly interested in UNCC - i.e. would you be ok if that’s where you end up?
Ga Tech and UIUC are certainly possible but too hard to say they’re not a reach.
With Va Tech, you won’t hit your price point so it seems silly to apply.
There are other fine schools at a similar or lower cost you might sub in. Auburn shares some similarities campus wise in my opinion and would get you there. UF would also be well within budget. Or you can go for the financial steal (under $20K a year all in) at a Bama).
Would you be ok with UNC Charlotte? I think you’ll have other options but no guarantees. If not, look for another safety. Alabama? WVU? Ohio State?
I’m hopeful you would at least get a pathway to GT. Virginia Tech probably won’t be affordable.
I know UNC Chapel Hill isn’t as exactly known for engineering but maybe worth an app. Things can change over the next few months plus it’s a top school at in-state prices. Depending on your acceptances it could be a decent option.
NMF might get you some scholarships but not sure it would be better than NC State. Good luck.
Chapel Hill is not known for engineering because until this year it has not been allowed to offer engineering degrees outside of the joint biomedical engineering degree with NC State. And while they have announced an environmental engineering degree to start this fall, it is a hard sell for anyone comparing that with the 16 undergraduate engineering degree offerings at the other main North Carolina flagship down the road in Raleigh. And that’s not even touching the engineering offerings at other North Carolina engineering powerhouses like NC A&T and UNC Charlotte.
Did you look at Clemson? As I recall for OOS students they offer merit scholarships that can cover up to the difference between OOS and in-state tuition. Obviously close to NC and a very good engineering school.
I’ll admit I do not know a lot about it, but UTK has a good reputation for Engineering in my circles, and I believe they have at least some merit for OOS students (off what looks like not a terrible full pay OOS).
Finally, I don’t know what you consider close to NC, but I believe your numbers would qualify you to compete for Auburn’s highest level of non-resident scholarship, which can get their price pretty far down too.
I am not sure any of these would make sense to consider over NC State, but I believe these could end more affordable than VA Tech, and maybe (up to you) more appealing than UNC Charlotte for an engineering student.
Like others have said, VA Tech will be a yes, but you won’t be offered anything. My kid, similar stats, was offered $3k per year only.
NC State is a great school and should be a target. That said, friend who was NMF was deferred from Wake Co last year (and eventually accepted), so make sure your Why NC State is genuine and detailed. Apply for honors and Park scholarship.
I think GA Tech is a reach but also a decent chance.
I completely agree with this, and also know of another engineering applicant last year from Wake County who was deferred, so the need to get the essays right is spot on.
The only issue I see for the OP with NC State is that they do say that class rank is an important factor, but I have to assume that the admissions folks have a pretty good sense of the NC high schools and what they can accept. There’s a database that @gandalf78 pointed out in another thread that is super helpful in regards to applications and acceptances from NC high schools to the state universities. Hope that OP could use that for more details: Workbook: db_freshmen
Oh, and since @NiceUnparticularMan put Auburn out there, I’ll also suggest University of Alabama at Huntsville as an engineering option. They have similar merit scholarships for gpa and test scores as Auburn, which could be of great help to OP. Plus, they have that whole NASA/Rocket City thing going on, so they know their engineering stuph.
Lol it’s actually just an alias used in the tv show Dexter but I appreciate the concern! I have been keeping very good track of my digital footprint as I approach college and job interviews and such.
Since you are NM Semi you will also be accepted to Texas A&M with a $4k scholarship. The key is that if you get $4k in scholarships you ALSO get In State tuition. Great Engineering school with incredible resources (Main Engineering building alone was $260 million, school has a $20 Billion Endowment) and a strong network. Little far from home for you though and a really big school.
→ 11th AP calc AB (self-studied for the BC exam and got a 5) → calc 3 S1 and diff eq S2