I have a 3.9 UW GPA right now. You said their CS department was small? How is there STEM program?
Do they give good merit or need based aid? I just looked at threads and it seems they are running into issues financially. I can’t really afford to have scholarship or aid cut attending there. The size also seems pretty small.
I think Rose is as small as I’m willing to go (they have around 2,200 students.)
Okay y’all:
I have thought through some things re: college.
NOTE: I WOULD BE WILLING TO MAKE EXCEPTIONS TO THESE QUALIFICATIONS IF THE SCHOOL HAS SOMETHING THAT REALLY INTERESTS ME.
Size: greater than 5,000.
Surroundings: in a city or around one, provided there’s some sort of public transportation.
Geological area: I’m open to anywhere.
Academics: strong in STEM in general. If specialty isn’t in engineering, that’s okay. Usually schools with strong STEM programs are likely to have strong engineering programs.
Environment: collaborative, NOT competitive. I’m pretty quirky and nerdy so whatever floats the boat there. I like a close knit environment.
School type: open to any type of school, wether it is an LAC, public, or private. Co-Ed.
Gender ratio: either more male than female, or close to even gender ratios. If there’s more guys than girls I don’t mind, I’m in a engineering program so I’m used to hanging with the guys.
Scholarships/aid: must give good NEED based aid.
Other nice things to have: easy to double major, open curriculum, closed campus. Accepts DE credit from CC.
“STEM” covers a wide enough range of fields that it is not a particularly useful way of describing a college’s strengths and weakenesses. A college may be strong in biology, but weak in computer science, or vice-versa. So you probably want to specify “strong in computer science and engineering” (assuming that your intended major is still the same as it was in post #0).
Check whether each college requires you to compete for admission to your desired major after enrolling. Because computer science and engineering majors are often more popular than departments have capacity for, one possible method of enrollment management is to require students to earn a high GPA or enter another competitive admission process after their first year course work. This can make the environment more competitive.
Thanks for the info. You’re right about all of that. Either way; there’s gonna be competition.
There is a difference between good “STEM” and good engineering. I suppose I said that because I am not 100% set on engineering, although I enjoy it.
Still no ACT scores. They supposedly release every Wend. And Friday. Hoping for this Friday! Otherwise I’m gonna get super worried I won’t meet the Nov. 1st deadline. I haven’t written any supplements for schools (why would if I am unsure of my stats?) So I’m HOPING they come out this Friday.
Well. The ACT scores have not come in yet. I contacted OSU and the ACT.
OSU said they do not consider your application complete until they have the ACT scores. The next possible date that my scores will come in is next Wend, about a WEEK before the deadline. And that’s BEFORE I’d send in the scores.
I’m assuming it will be this way for Umich as it’s a large state school. I’m contacting Rose Hulman to see what their policy is.
My proctor forgot to tell me about how I could get four ACT scores sent for free…
For most all of the schools I’m looking at for possible scholarship considerations, the deadline is Nov 1st or its Nov 1st because I’m applying for engineering.
I also contacted the ACT about my scores today and am waiting in anticipation for response.
This is not good ): I guess I’ll have to just finish up my supplemental essays w/o the act score. (For the colleges I KNOW I’m applying to…)
I have not read every page but I would recommend the following schools for you. We used to live in Terre Haute where Rose is and we will not even consider it for our children if that helps at all. We have a daughter who will be majoring in engineering. They do produce top notch engineers but they give very little money (even to female students), let alone the environment of the town it is in. She also has a low grade in a science class not related to her major but she is already in at a fairly exclusive public engineering school not in our state, 40% acceptance rate. (I don’t think they give much $ to OOS students so I am not recommending it to you)
Cincinnati
Dayton
Valparaiso
Purdue
Case Western
Carnegie Mellon
Pitt
Alabama - gives lots of $ to kids in the midwest - look at Huntsville too
Arizona - gives lots of money and I think you are already in touch with them
You have your work cut out for you this weekend! Good luck!
Thanks for the suggestions!!!
I called ACT and they said my score could take anywhere from 2-8 weeks to come out. This is not good. It looks like I won’t be able to apply for engineering. ):
They got my ACT on Oct. 4th and said it is IN scoring, but they don’t know how far along or how long it will take.
My options are to send in my first ACT score of 28 (but with a low math score of 25) or wait until regular decision. What do I do?
Thank you for the suggestions!!
CMU and Purdue are off the list. CMU requires a SAT 2 subject test which I don’t have.
Purdue only gives 15% of students scholarships, and if you change the college you’re in, they’ll rescind them. It also looks like they don’t give like any aid to OOS students.
Dayton is a Catholic school and I wouldn’t feel too comfortable there coming from a Baptist background. I’ve heard AWESOME things about their engineering program though.
Cincinnati and Case are definitely on my list.
Valparaiso sounds awesome, and it also looks like my stats are at the top of their range. I’m more comfortable going to a Lutheran school than catholic. Thanks for that suggestion. The sticker price looks pretty daunting though. However, I see they offer students A LOT of aid. This looks reasonable, and from research it looks like it has a top notch engineering program.
Arizona is looking a lot like it will be a good financial option. I just got something in the mail today that with my GPA and ACT, I’ll get 18,000 a year, PLUS the 12,000 I receive a year from the other scholarship.
Alabama with my current stats looks like I will get 8,000 a year. That still looks pretty daunting considering the OOS tuition. I’ve heard great things about their engineering program. That was for main campus, the Huntsville campus looks like it has lower stats for admission so it might be an option with greater aid.
Pitt looks more promising than Purdue, but it didn’t say much on aid.
I have to ask, why would you not suggest Rose?
I looked into Lehigh. Although they are good with need based aid, it seems like the school has a huge party scene along with the huge Greek life. I’m not sure I’m into that.
I think you should still apply to Rose but I think there are significant drawbacks for you specifically. First, they don’t give a lot of money, they don’t have to. Looking at 2nd tier schools is where the money is for students in STEM. Also, if you want to change your major you have to transfer.
It’s very small, around 2000 students and very few are women. 128 enrolled last year, there were 430 men.
Rose is on the outskirts of Terre Haute and there is not great public transportation with nothing walkable to the campus. Terre Haute is not a very nice town, I lived there for 2 years in my late 20s. It’s about an hour from Indianapolis, again without good public transport options.
OTOH, Rose is a TOP tier engineering school and most students there love it. I am just a bit bias from living in the town. We have several friends who are Rose engineers and they are all super smart and competent. My comments are nothing about the school, just my perspective on your particular situation.
All of these private schools have similar sticker prices, it’s going to come down to who loves you more!
I would really consider Dayton, it’s a good size, 75% of ALL students live on campus. It didn’t feel very ‘religious’ when we did a visit there. Last year they increased their pell grant students by 22%, that’s a commitment to those who have demonstrated need.
Lastly, I would go ahead and send all of your apps by 11/1. I would add a comment on your common app about the test scores. DD has already sent all of her apps and has heard yes from 3/7 schools so far. 1 is her super ultra safety, 1 is a safety, and 1 is a reach. I expect we won’t hear from the other 4 until December.
Please keep us posted!
@blueskies456 Thank you for all of the information. You have been very helpful. Re: the financial situation, someone this thread said they met 89% need, that’s why I wasn’t ruling it out for a financial option.
But I trust what you’re saying and since you’ve lived there.
It doesn’t sound like it’s ideal if the town isn’t that good and there’s no public transportation. I’m just curious by what you mean when you say the town isn’t good? Like there’s not much to do?
Personally, I don’t mind the female:male ratio. I’m in the stem engineering program at my school, which is mostly guys. Most of my friends (though the few I have) are dudes.
I won’t be able to visit any schools on my list besides OSU (I already have visited since it’s the closest.)
Driving to Cleveland or Cincinnati is too far away. Same with Dayton. My family wouldn’t want to waste that gas unless I was admitted first. The good news is I could probably visit all three in one trip.
The reason why I said Dayton was too Catholic is because my mom went there in the late 80’s for a year before she dropped out, and she said she had to take religious classes (Catholic) as a requirement. Maybe they have removed that. If they have, I wouldn’t mind going. Or at least if I’d get to pick what kinds of religion classes. I totally don’t mean to sound anti-catholic, it’s just I’d feel weird, you know? I am totally fine with taking them, it’s just given that the option, I’d rather not.
I will heed your advice though.
That’s true, I could write a note. I think what I’ll do is wait until next Wend. And if they’re not in by then, I’ll write a note.
Current List
Reach:
University of Michigan
Case Western
Match:
Ohio State
Safeties:
U Dayton
U Cincinnati
U Toledo
Valparaiso
5 in state, 2 out of state.
Schools I’m unsure about: Arizona, Alabama Huntsville, and Rose Hulman. Does anyone know about the quality of engineering @ Alabama Huntsville? My stats give me 67% of full tution there right now.
I also don’t know if I like Case Western that much, although I’m keeping it on there because it’s a top engineering school and well known for it. I haven’t really heard the best things about their CS department though, which is making me weary to apply if I end up wanting to stay that route…
The good news is because I’m on reduced lunch at my school, ALL OF MY APP FEES ARE WAIVED. I was so worried about that before and limiting my opinions.
If anyone has any suggestions for match/safety/reach schools (especially for out of since I don’t have that variety on my list) LMK!
Some schools have been taken off once I looked at prices, available aid at schools, or the environment.
I really need to finalize my list soon, and I’d like to apply to more schools OOS (or in state if I haven’t thought of one that’s good) especially since my fees are waived.
Okay, after researching through U Dayton and Valparaiso, their CS program isn’t apart of their engineering schools. I think that’s initially why I didn’t look at U Dayton. Not sure how much of a dealbreaker this will be. I’m aware that A LOT of colleges don’t have CS in their engineering department; however since these schools are known for engineering, it makes me wonder what the quality of their CS education is. That said, Valparaiso still seems like a great school so I’m keeping it, and there’s no harm in U Dayton.
And I’m still not 100% I want to major in CS, so having that option is good. I think what I’ll do is apply for engineering at those schools.
Any suggestions for matches/reaches/safeties would be welcome!
Write your supplements ASAP. They take longer than you think. Submit your apps without ACT and send scores once they are in. Don’t sent the 28 ACT.
Have you done the NPC on any schools?
Rose - there is not much to do, very little cultural events, etc. You could ask on the Rose thread on CC.
This thread might help with the Dayton religion piece. It is from 8 years ago, but I would assume things have only improved. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-dayton/839530-religion-courses-atmosphere.html You could also ask on the Dayton forum on CC.
Huntsville is a major hub for NASA. We are not considering Alabama for our children (I went to U of Georgia, just dumb rivalry bias i guess!) but they recruit HARD for midwestern students. If you google they probably have an info night in Columbus. The main campus has a massive party reputation, not so in Huntsville. I think it would be worth it to reach out to their admissions.
I would still submit everything by the 1st - a 28 isn’t terrible and you can send better scores later for more merit money. Or just don’t send any scores, can you talk to your guidance counselor for advice?
Purdue’s CS program isn’t in engineering either, so I don’t think that makes any difference at all.
Hi @equationlover !
First, lots of great stuff here and congrats for an incredibly thorough process so far, I’m sure you’re going to do very well in the end and end up at a great school for you.
I think you have some misconceptions when it comes to the differences between engineering, CS, and SE.
Basically, CS isn’t really engineering at all in practicality, hence why ABET isn’t important in the industry. Many CS department are actually moving out the engineering schools specifically for this reason, usually into their own college. A CS program being outside engineering is fine.
While SE may have the word “engineering” in it, it will actually be farther from engineering than CS. It’s a bit of a misnomer frankly, an understandable confusion. Typically SE degrees are watered down CS in terms of math/theory for those looking for a more practical spin on CS, though IMO the theory is becoming more and more important for software engineers. The “engineering” courses that replace the “theory” courses are CS specific practical courses usually, nothing to do with engineering requirements. It would be like doing say an EE degree without the “theory” courses in physics, just learning how to do the electrical calculations without fully understanding them.
While an SE degree can make sense for many, I can’t imagine one wanting an engineering based CS curriculum and also a software engineering curriculum. I don’t think a SE degree would be a good fit for you.
I guess to get to the bottom of this, why is an engineering-focused CS degree important to you? Do you have any interest in engineering majors generally, or are you only trying to avoid the humanities requirements? Basically, I think honing down exactly what you want there would be helpful and could maybe expand your options, as you may be eliminating schools that could actually be a good fit. I know you’ve described it a bit but it seems a bit fuzzy and inconsistent through the thread.
Anyways I’d love to hear more detail on that if you can and hope this helps!
@suzyQ7 The only issue (and most of my schools are like this; not ALL) have a deadline of November 1st. This includes sending in my ACT scores. OSU said there was no exceptions NOT sending in the ACT score before Nov. 1st, and I’m guessing it’s like that for Umich too because they’re both large state schools that get lots of applicants.
I double checked on U Toledo, app deadline is Dec 1st . U Cincinnati deadline is Dec. 1st.
U Dayton, Michigan, OSU, and Case all have app deadlines of Nov. 1st.
Any other schools (at least ones that a lot of people apply to) probably have a deadline of Nov. 1st, which is why I’m trying to hone down a decent sized list. I’d ideally like to apply to around 12-14 schools which seems like a lot, but keep in mind my financial situation. I really have to go for the money, hence lots of safety schools. I’d like some more schools to add to my list though whatever category (match, reach, safety.)
@blueskies456 Thank you for that. I wouldn’t mind taking a required religion class if I got the option of which one to choose.
I emailed my GC yesterday. We actually didn’t have school on Friday and won’t on Monday (teacher dev day) so I think the latest she’ll get to me is Monday.
My hesitation for sending in the 28 ACT score mostly has to do with the fact that OSU’s average ACT is a 29, so I’m already in the bottom 25% there. And if I get deferred to regular decision, I won’t be considered for Morrill Scholars. (Which is my chance at a full ride or full tutition, and my GC thinks I have a really good shot for it.)
It’s also below average for Umich.
I looked at Huntsville and they actually don’t calculate scholarship money until July 1st. So if my GPA drops… the good news is that the range is a 3.5-3.99 GPA and over a 4 point GPA, which makes me think they’re looking at weighted GPA and not unweighted. So I think I would be pretty competitive.
@PengsPhils Thank you for offering to help.
I suppose I’m pretty undecided. I mainly am going to apply CS because that’s where most of my extracurriculars lie.
A part of it has to do with my vision. I’m actually more interested in EE than CS, but because of my vision, I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle working with small circuits, wires, and the like.
I’d ideally like to have the option of a good engineering school just in case it could possibly work out. At the current moment, I am undecided on if I want to work in control systems, embedded systems, CS theory (ie. more mathy based stuff) or accessibility products (which would be best served with a ME degree.)
That’s why I’m trying to keep my options open with a good CS and engineering school. And who knows- I might end up not even doing engineering and doing something else STEMy. But it’s nice to have at least somewhat of a plan.
If you have any suggestions for schools, LMK.
Oh @suzyQ7 I have not. However, I am mostly looking at my scores and how they compare to the average, and if they give good aid. I am almost 100% certain that I get Pell Grant so that will take off about $6,000 from cost. I haven’t been factoring that into costs though just in case I don’t. But based off my mom’s income, I am almost certain I will as it was around the range where they almost 100% give out the Pell Grant.
@blueskies456 Alright. You have convinced me again. I looked at Huntsville’s average cost after aid per year and if I get 67% off tuition, it will only be around 13,000 year which is way more reasonable, especially considering the OOS thing. I also will most likely have pell grant, so that’s even less.
Current list:
Reach:
U Michigan
Case Western
Match:
Ohio State
Safeties:
U Dayton
U Toledo
U Cincinnati
Valparaiso
U Alabama Huntsville
Like I said, any reach/match/safety school suggestions are welcome! I’ve currently got 8 schools total, 3 OOS and 5 in state. Aiming for 12-14 schools to apply to, but let’s just say 14 for now.
@blueskies456 you have been SO helpful! Thank you so much. I love CC. I couldn’t do this all on my own.