Looking for Guidance

College Search & Lists
1

Hey guys,

As with many on this forum, I am a senior who is narrowing down their college search. I have recently received decisions from most of my schools, and I am not quite sure what would be the best route to go. Of course, I know that it comes down to where you see yourself most fit, and it entirely is what you do while you are there. However, I am looking for where my best opportunities will be.

I received rejections from schools that I had hoped to get in to. Northwestern, UChicago, and the Air Force Academy. I have also been waitlisted to Case Western Reserve.

On to the schools that I have been accepted to!

Purdue - Cost: $36,000/year
University of Tennesee Knoxville - $13,000/year
University of Alabama Huntsville - $8,000/year
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University - $26,000/Year (currently appealing for more)
Northeastern Unvirsity - $58,000/year

I want to major in mechanical/aerspace engineering while attempting a dual major in astronomy and physics. My ultimate goal would be to get in to one of the top tier grad schools (MIT, Caltech, Uchicago). My brother is currently at MIT for his masters degree. He has stressed how important it is to obtain research at the undergraduate level in order to have a chance at getting accepted in to these top tier grad schools.

Here’s my deal breaker. If I get in to Case with a reasonable financial aid packet I will likely attend. I can really only afford below $20,000. So that leaves UAH, UTK, and Embry-Riddle. I have not toured UAH yet, and I will be attending the preview day for accepted students at Embry- Riddle next week. UTK is out of the picture as it’s not where I want to be.

I have been offered one of the 130 spots in the honors college at Embry Riddle. They boast the ability to defend a thesis at an undergraduates level, and that most of their grads will have published their research by the time they graduate. The honors college is pretty traditional other than that. I am waiting to hear back about the Honors Colleg at UAH.

The way that I look at is as follows. UAH is a well known school for the degree. They have NASA an other interships in their backyard at the students disposure. However, you are with close to 2500 other students who are also in the same boat as you. It would be more difficult for me to stand out at that school. Embry-Riddle on the other hand is well known for their aerospace/aeronautical engineering degrees and of course their mechanical as well. What appeals to me is that I would be able to be a part of their Honor’s college and also potentially publish my work. Again this is entirely based upon the opportunties that I take at either university.

My question is for those of you who know more about these schools and getting in to those higher tier grad schools. What is your .02 on my decision. I’m not looking for a “you should go here” answer. I’m just looking for more information and perspectives to help weigh my decision one way or another.

I greatly appreciate any and all help in advance.

-Mathew

2

First, I’d appeal the Fin Aid package from NU. They can’t be seeing what Purdue and others are seeing?
If you are down to Tennessee Knoxville, UAH and Embry Riddle your brother is right, it’s about the real research opportunities so you can be positioned well for grad school. Honors College students generally get those spots with professors but doesn’t mean other bright kids don’t get it as well, it depends on the university.
I’ve found that grad schools rank the university you have an undergrad degree from and determine if an A- average at Podunk U is the same as A- average from Cal Tech and weigh the GPA accordingly (and of course what you majored in). Then what research you’ve done and icing on the cake, it’s published. Then when you worked summers, what were you involved in. If placed in Intel, Math/Science Olympiad etc. in high school, they might notice but if you’ve done nothing since, not so good! (looking for consistency.)
Very top universities have tons of research money and so even a MS will get you TA/RA post. Many you need to bring NSF/NIH etc funding with you to be attractive and so apply for PhD. (Nephew got NSF grant for PhD in CS but stopped after MS degree at Penn so think you can still do that.)
Good luck!