Match (or chance!) yet another Asian American student [DD26] [IN resident, 3.98 GPA, top 1% rank, <$25k; electrical and computer engineering]

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Demographics

  • US citizen
  • Income: ~100k household, one working parent, both have PhDs
  • State/Location of residency: Indiana
  • Type of high school (or current college for transfers): Public, ~100 students
  • Other special factors: Skipped 8th grade (I turned 16 a week ago)

Cost Constraints / Budget
Cheaper is always better, no hard constraints but 0-25k/year? Nothing crazy like 50k.

Intended Major(s) Unsure, some field in STEM (most likely electrical/computer engineering)

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.98
  • Weighted HS GPA: 4.451/5
  • Class Rank: 3/418
  • ACT/SAT Scores: 1440/1520 on the PSAT/NMSQT, 1450/1520 on the PSAT 10

List your HS coursework

(Indicate advanced level, such as AP, IB, AICE, A-level, or college, courses as well as specifics in each subject)

  • English: English 9/10 honors, AP Lang
  • Math: Calc BC/III/IV, Linear Algebra Honors, Differential Equations (III/IV, linalg, and diffeq are through a college, they offer a program for highschoolers to enroll in their classes)
  • Science: Bio/Chem/Physics Honors (7th, 10th, 10th grades), AP Bio (10th), AP Physics C: both mech and e&m (10th)
  • History and social studies: Geography Honors, AP World, APUSH
  • Language other than English: Japanese I/II/III
  • Visual or performing arts: Photography honors (10th)

AP scores: 5 on WH/Bio/BC, 4 on the AP Physics Cs

Awards

  • SEAP qualifier, NWSC Crane, $4000 for an 8wk internship in microelectronics
  • USACO Gold ('25)
  • USAPhO qualifier ('24)
  • AIME qualifier ('25)
  • other less important awards (honor roll, ap scholar, some state academic award)

Extracurriculars
First year mentioned is the year started

  • Research Internship at local Uni (same uni as the college courses), worked closely with FPGAs and Verilog, creating Hardware Trojan IPs (embedded systems), last summer.
  • Science Olympiad (state alternate freshman year, state team after that (~100 people total)), looking to be captain next year.
  • Wrestling (jv last year, vars this year)
  • Football (jv this year, vars next year)
  • Track/Field throwing (jv last year, vars this year)

Various comp-sci projects:

  • A discord.js bot that queried video game data, and spreadsheet manipulation with the google API, ~100,000 commands executed and used by ~80 people.
  • A homemade meat dryer, using peltier coolers, DC-DC Buck converters, arduino/ESP8266, and DHT22 temp/humidity sensor, also made a web interface to manage it remotely
  • Weather app: Fully utilizing open-meteo’s API (all fields they offer) for a very rigorous flutter weather app.

Essays/LORs/Other

  • Strong LOR from the professor at the research internship
  • Strong LOR from my AP World and AP Lang teachers, working on my diffeq professor but idk

Schools
Match me! I’ve been (very loosely) thinking:

  • Duke
  • Purdue
  • Princeton
  • Harvard
  • Vanderbilt
  • Rice
  • UIUC
  • UMich
  • UChicago
  • USNA
1 Like
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So here’s the thing with these schools (non-Purdue) - you need to do the Net Price Calculators to see what they’d cost. Well your parents should. Here’s an example.

Each school will have one and you need to do each.

The reality is that you won’t get to cost or even close at UIUC ($60K) or U Michigan ($80K). Typically public schools are there to benefit their residents, not others. But there are exceptions.

For example, U of Alabama, assuming you get a 32 ACT or 1420 SAT, will give you $30,500 off the current $49K - so you’d be under $20K. Before you say heck no - they draw from all over and have tons of smart kids based on the $$. My son turned down Purdue with merit, and had 19 interviews and 5 job offers by xmas - and works with kids from Purdue, Michigan and more - and interned with Ga Tech kids. I’m simply putting it out as an example of what will 100% hit budget. Purdue, also, will be right there (at $25K).

Like Alabama, UAH and Mississippi State would be well under $25K.

Also, check Kansas (a bit over), and Iowa State - I didn’t run the #s.

When you bulid a list, you need one assured and affordable - and you don’t have that on your list.

I suspect Purdue is likely if you deliver on the SAT - but not assured.

And obviously the rest of the list are reaches and/or not worth applying (UIUC, Michigan).

Best of luck.

Clear Cost

3

If your goal is to be an officer in the US Navy, will you do Naval ROTC at other colleges?

Have you run the net price calculator on each other college of interest?

Have you chosen any safeties with assured admission and assured affordability?

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Interesting, I haven’t really looked into choosing any colleges outside of the t20s I’ve heard about and the local ones (Purdue + other in-state colleges).

I believe that I have a pretty good chance to get into Purdue, my HS has a very large chunk of grads going there pretty consistently, and I’ve heard of worse applications than mine that get pretty hefty scholarships/aid.

We have the funds to afford a more expensive college, it’s not a worry in any way, but it just feels very wasteful to be spending 50/60k a year when I could (probably) go to Purdue for much cheaper.

Outside of the budget constraints, is there any chance for me to get into some of the out-of-state t20s in my (very loose) list? I was under the impression that I had a pretty strong application, and what parts should I work on if not?

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The really appealing thing to me about the Military academies is the cost, and that you’re guaranteed a pretty good job afterwards. I know a few people who’ve gone to academies and gotten their Masters/PhDs without paying a cent (although they do have to serve).

I don’t see myself being an officer in the US Navy unless I go to USNA, and even then it’s just a thought floating around in my head.

I believe Purdue is a safety and as a last resort, I could go to IU (although I would really rather not). The vast majority of students at my high school end up going to one of the two.

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I completely botched the school size by the way. I meant to put ~1700, not ~100. Sorry.

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For the USNA, you really have to want to be an officer in the US Navy, rather than seeing it mainly as a way to have college paid for. If becoming an officer in the US Navy is not something that you are highly interested in regardless of which college, then it is unlikely that the USNA is a good choice for you.

10 Likes
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An acceptance to a college that is not affordable is a rejection. You can’t afford it.

Now, assuming you want to go up to $60K a year, then there are many colleges you can get into.

You may even get into some on your list - and they may be affordable. Hence I provided the NPC.

But none are assured - and that includes Purdue - although if you get a great ACT, I would think likely.

But I’d always suggest one affordable and assured. And frankly, I’d chose those affordable and assured over some you listed - such as Vandy (for engineering).

Rank is less relevant in MechE short of a school like Stanford or MIT. ABET accreditation is what you need. It’s the great “equalizer”.

You do have a strong app but you noted a $25K budget and said nothing crazy like $50K - so I answered to that.

If you go to $50-60K, then schools like UMD, Ohio State, U Florida and more come into play.

But again, the job you’ll get from these is no different than the $20K schools I mentioned.

Yes, you have a strong application - LORs and essays will be important at some schools.

And your ECs and awards are fantastic.

If you get a 1500+ SAT, I think EVERY school on your list is possible - but check the NPCs (as I showed) for affordability but again, they are all reaches - and the message is to ensure one affordable and assured school.

Back to the assured - look at Bama - they have the most NMFs in the country - so there’s no shortage of brain power.

Are you NMF? That would open up other doors - as in free or free tuition.

But I think your list is fine (short of UIUC and Michigan) assuming the NPCs show affordability - but I cannot assure an entrance even though I think Purdue likely is.

Hence, I’m simply saying to add one affordable and assured.

Best of luck.

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You couldn’t go to IU - and study ECE.

So scratch IU.

Whichever of these are public would be your Indiana options:

Anderson University (Indiana)
University of Evansville
Indiana Institute of Technology
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Purdue University Fort Wayne
University of Notre Dame
Purdue University at West Lafayette
Purdue University at West Lafayette
Purdue University Northwest
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
University of Southern Indiana
Trine University
Valparaiso University

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Congratulations on your achievements. As others have pointed out, do run the NPC for each school of interest. Among all the schools on your list, Princeton might be the least expensive; for example, students with family income of $100K and less, will have their tuition, room and board paid by Princeton, while those with incomes up to $150K and $300K, are expected to contribute $12,500 and $50,000, respectively.

I believe the essays are to be critical in distinguishing yourself from your fellow USACO etc winners/competitors.

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One point of note - often these income based schools - Rice is another - disclaim assets so filling out the NPC is still necessary.

To OP, in other words, your income may be $100k but if your assets are $5 million, you might not get as their table shows.

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@pslile2 do you want additional college suggestions to add to the list you posted already?

Are you open to colleges in the south where you might hit your price point?

I think $25,000 will be hard to hit from the colleges on your list.

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Sounds like your family can afford more but would only want to pay up for a more prestigious school such as those on your list. Is this accurate?

Cost should be just one of several considerations when making your final decision. Only your parents have a complete sense of any financial limitations and their personal academic priorities and preferences. The idea is to identify the best holistic fit and given how early you are in the process that should start with your talking to your parents.

On CC you will find proponents of cheap at the expense of academic reputation and others for whom money is less relevant but focus on academic reputation and resources.

The only opinions that matter however are your families. Your credentials make you competitive for any and all schools so the decision is yours as to where to apply. Just do it with your eyes open and your parents informed support.

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I think you are a very strong candidate for any of the schools on your list and I can’t imagine that you wouldn’t be accepted at Purdue. Just be sure to meet the EA deadline and show care with the essays. I’d also encourage the extra essays for honors college.

As noted by others, run the NPC with your parents for schools like Princeton. If your family income is under $100K, you may qualify for a good amount of financial aid. The out of state state schools on your list are unlikely to come in at your target budget and IMO, aren’t worth the extra cost over Purdue.

If the NPC looks good for the privates, I’d recommend adding Cornell to your list. They are very strong for your intended major. Also a bit surprised not to see MIT on your list of reaches.

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Congratulations on all of your accomplishments in high school! You have a strong record and will be competitive for just about any college in the country. Please realize, however, that most of the schools on your list will waitlist or reject the overwhelming majority of strong applicants. You may be one of those selected for admission, but you may not, and it has nothing to do with the strength of your accomplishments so far.

Below are my guesses as to what your chances at the schools on your current list may be:

Extremely Likely (80-99+%)

Likely (60-79%)

  • Purdue (do not look down on this because it’s your in-state option…this a GREAT option!)

Toss-Up (40-59%)

  • UIUC

Lower Probability (20-39%)

Low Probability (less than 20%)

  • Duke
  • Princeton
  • Harvard
  • Vanderbilt
  • Rice
  • U. of Michigan

Below is some of the info for the admit rates into UMich and UIUC that I used in making my guesses as to your chances:

For U. of Michigan’s engineering program (source)

image: Table Entering undergraduate students, fall 2024 Total First Year Applications 26,387 % Offered Admission 13% Median HS GPA for Enrolled First Year Students 3.9 Median ACT for Enrolled First Year Students 34 Median SAT for Enrolled First Year Students 1450 Undergraduate applications, admissions and incoming GPAs and scores.
image: Table Entering undergraduate students, fall 2024 Total First Year Applications 26,387 % Offered Admission 13% Median HS GPA for Enrolled First Year Students 3.9 Median ACT for Enrolled First Year Students 34 Median SAT for Enrolled First Year Students 1450 Undergraduate applications, admissions and incoming GPAs and scores.682Ă—340 20.1 KB

For UIUC (source):

image: College Admit Rates (First-Choice Major Only) College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences: 56.7% College of Applied Health Sciences: 34.1% College of Education: 46.1% College of Fine & Applied Arts: 49.5% College of Liberal Arts & Sciences: 41.5% College of Media: 37.9% Division of Exploratory Studies: 53.6% Gies College of Business: 23.1% Grainger College of Engineering: 24.2% School of Information Sciences: 55.2% School of Social Work: 50.9% Computer Science Programs Computer Science: 7.2% Computer Science + X Programs: 18.1%
image: College Admit Rates (First-Choice Major Only) College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences: 56.7% College of Applied Health Sciences: 34.1% College of Education: 46.1% College of Fine & Applied Arts: 49.5% College of Liberal Arts & Sciences: 41.5% College of Media: 37.9% Division of Exploratory Studies: 53.6% Gies College of Business: 23.1% Grainger College of Engineering: 24.2% School of Information Sciences: 55.2% School of Social Work: 50.9% Computer Science Programs Computer Science: 7.2% Computer Science + X Programs: 18.1%669Ă—689 54.3 KB

What kind of school experience are you looking for? You’ve got big state schools and then more medium-sized privates. Knowing more about what you want your college life to be like will be helpful in offering additional suggestions.

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Congratulations on your strong academic record. As strong as it is, the schools on your list turn away 10 qualified candidates for every one they accept. Computer engineering or Comp Sci are particularly competitive majors. You need some likely admits; break out of the top 20 and look at some top 40 schools.

I think you will likely get into Purdue, but you may also want to look at a couple lower ranked schools that have honors colleges, like Pitt and Ohio State. If you are not looking for a R1 school you may want to consider Rose Hulman, which is #1 for engineering among schools that do not confer PhDs. You are a likely admit, and they would probably throw a nice merit package your way.

Do you want to be a Naval officer? That is a huge commitment, and you should not pursue that path unless you really want it. If your answer is “yes” research which schools have Naval ROTC. It is very difficult to gain a seat at any of the military academies, and in addition to your strong academic and EC record you would need to get a letter of endorsement from one of your senators or representative.

Good luck.

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I suggest you talk to your folks about budget.

You first asked $25K or less…but then when you didn’t like the schools that might be, you went up.

We don’t know your family situation - but $100K is vastly different than $240K - and you don’t need loans, etc.

So find out a solid budget from them - and don’t deviate.

Let us know.

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Congratulations on your outstanding high school record. Your academic achievements and ECs (which I think are very strong) will make you competitive at every school. That being said, you should have a talk with your folks about what they can (and are willing) to pay for college and then run the NPC for every school you are interested in. On its surface a $100k income will get you generous aid at many of the T20 privates but if your family has extensive assets the amount may not be as much as you think. The most selective school are typically the most generous with need-based aid, but they are a reach for every student so you should have a good plan B (and C). I see you in at Purdue and it is a great school so it is a solid likely for you but if you want to ensure you have more choices, you should add more match schools to your list. Most out of state publics are going to be too expensive as they don’t offer need-based aid to OOS students. You could look at UVA as they do offer aid to OOS state students - although, again, this is another reach.

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Drop UIUC, UMich, and other unoffrdable schools. With a strong match like Purdue, you can go for a lot of reaches with generous financial aid (e.g. Northwestern, Cornell, etc)

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Your should look at Notre Dame and Rose Hulman in state.