<p>I’m afraid I’m not very familiar with engineering schools, whether tech schools, regular universities w/Engineering Depts or LACs with 3-2 programs. My suggestions on how to develop a list:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Talk to your HS GC and use Naviance if you have it. Since your S is at a competitive HS that sends lots of kids to selective colleges, they would be the best to understand where you S stands taking into consideration all of his academic, EC and personal factors.</p></li>
<li><p>My general approach is to use something like the US N&WR rankings. Go down the list and pull schools that fit your kid’s academic interests, social scene, region of the country, size, etc. preferences. From those you should be able to (with the help of #1 & #3) come up with a set of admissions & financial safety/match/reach schools.</p></li>
<li><p>The other part of the puzzle is financial, so depending on your situation you need to consider: an EA/ED/RD/rolling admissions strategy; likely need based FA using NPCs; possible merit aid schools (generally safety & match schools).</p></li>
</ol>
<p>p.s. I’ve never heard of AP PreCalc, just AP Calc, so perhaps you mean Pre AP Calc?</p>
<p>I also suggest you consider using UW gpa in conjunction with whether or not your S took the most demanding/very demanding/etc. coursework at his school. With HSs weighting differently, and some not at all, I find an UW gpa much easier for making comparisons.</p>