This is my ranking so far! I’m thinking of majoring in mechanical engineering / physics / aerospace engineering. Most of the California colleges are because I’m from California and my parents would like me to stay in-state. I’m a big fan of smaller schools, more LAC vibe and stuff. I can’t move any OOS schools above the California schools (due to request of my mom)… So far, I’ve been thinking of dropping CIT and moving Bowdoin up to Amherst’s spot. Does anyone have any recommendations or advice?
Would you like Dartmouth? That might be better in terms of your engineering interest than Amherst and Bowdoin. I feel like Dartmouth hits this sweet spot between SLAC and research university.
I’m planning on the 3-2 program in Pomona, and if not then physics. Why not Pomona? I wouldn’t like to narrow it down because I want to be more likely to match.
Yeah exactly, unfortunately I can’t add any more colleges. I considered Rice, WashU, and Dartmouth but wasn’t a fan of any of the locations + I visited WashU and didn’t enjoy it. Even if I don’t necessarily get engineering/physics, I don’t want to remove as many colleges as possible to improve my chances of matching. I’m not dead set on my major and I know I’ll likely change it, all I want right now is an environment I’ll enjoy with good opportunities after I graduate.
It seems you can rank the schools based on the vibe/environment or by major. If you think engineering might very well be your major I would encourage you to rank colleges with engineering higher.
Regarding the 3-2 programs you have to look closely at the requirements. Most importantly, because you have a low SAI, you have to see if the 2 school will still meet 100% of your financial need. And, even if they do, you give up an entire additional year where you aren’t earning income. You likely won’t come out of a 3-2 program (where you have two bachelors) with a better job than if you graduate with one engineering degree.
Does qb cover 5 years and ensure the other college honors it ?
I would not recommend any aspiring engineer, if that’s what you truly are, so a 5 year. It’s a year of lost income, potentially expense if qb doesn’t cover and a social restart.
Why is it more likely to match? - Pomona that is ?
To me, major first and there are enough schools to match engineering. Changing majors based on school to me isn’t sound. If engineering is possible, I’d only go to schools that offer it. If you change it’s ok - all schools will have other majors. But all won’t have engineering. So it makes sense to start there - in my mind.
This is life, not a game. Just my opinion. Good luck.
Pomona’s 3+2 program uses WUStL (which you do not like) and Caltech (highly competitive transfer admission) as the “2” schools, and its 2+1+1+1 program uses Dartmouth (which you do not like the location of) as the other school.
Caltech is a very small school, although its vibe is probably very different from that of most other small schools including LACs.
Very very good point, thanks. I’m thinking that I care more about physics than I care about engineering, but I would not mind either that much. The colleges I feel don’t gel well with either of these majors are CMC, Scripps, and Amherst, but I wouldn’t like to drop the 5C colleges because I could take classes at Mudd.
I’m kind of nervous abou10. t my choices now because my match list was very tentative. Should I move the 5Cs below Stanford and USC since they have better engineering & physics programs?
The best ranking is the ranking you feel reflects your best choices, what colleges “fit” you best.
Some ideas…
If you like small schools, rank the CA LACs higher than the larger universities.
It doesn’t sound like you prioritize Engineering over Physics so the potential 2+1+1+1 Dartmouth program sounds like a good compromise if it turns out you really are interested in Engineering more than Physics (or some form of Applied Math.)
I would rank Scripps higher than CMC - Scripps is known for how supportive it is for women in STEM and it gives you similar access to the consortium and HMC. Are the CMC integrative majors the reason CMC is ranked higher and if so which of the 3 Kravis Integrative science majors are you thinking of (energy?)
I would rank Amherst higher if you like the vibe (due to the consortium) unless the CA first rule requires it ranked 6.
CalTech is a very research-based, very “fit” school. It’s closer to grad school for undergrads in its academic focus.
If you didn’t like the vibe or location at Dartmouth, you may not be thrilled with Bowdoin either. I’d say these are cut from the same cloth. Not the same, but more alike than different. As for campus culture, while Dartmouth and Duke have notable differences, they have some big overlaps. (I seem to know a lot of kids who have applied to both. You might like Yale better.
If you want small and CA, I’d move Pomona and CMC up the list.
The beauty of QB is that you will get the highest school on your list with which you match. There’s no need for gamesmanship on your part. The other thing to remember is that if you get into ANY of these, you’ll be at an amazing school. There are no bad outcomes! For that reason, order them according to your preference.
As a thought exercise, just ask yourself, if I got into Stanford, would I be upset that I couldn’t go to xyz.
Don’t feel like I’d enjoy the environment at Caltech and I don’t want to do research. If I got in, I don’t think I’d complain though, it’s an amazing school.
@tsbna44 Yeah, I can move the order around or remove them completely. Amherst has good engineering though, so I’m thinking of just dropping CMC. @MYOS1634 I’m conflicted on ranking based on “fit” and on major. I’ve been told dual degree programs are a waste of time, which I get. I’ll talk to my counselor and see what they think.