The elite private schools on your list will certainly be much better, if you get in.
But regarding schools that give “a lot of merit” (like Alabama), would you prefer to go there vs UWV? I’m assuming you’ll get a full ride at UWV.
I am hopeful @AustenNut anr other posters can suggest additional schools that are affordable, better than UWV and easier to get into than your super reaches. Hopefully these exist
Then you’ll have choices beyond your safety.
U. of Kansas: Probably would be about $21k/year (your GPA was over a 3.95, so an extra $2k that the other student wasn’t eligible for). Lawrence is considered one of the top college towns in the country.
Kansas State: K-State often makes the list for having one of the happiest student bodies. @momocarly might be able to share more info if you’re interested or @bgbg4us. @MAmomto4’s son had an offer making it about $21k/year.
U. of New Mexico: You’d probably be able to get costs down to about $15k/year here, looking at the links I provided in post #50 linked above.
If you’re a National Merit Finalist (which I strongly suspect you will be), these are some other offers to consider (this was created for someone interested in pure math):
But for the vibe I think you’re going for, I’d take a good look at these schools if you’re looking for sure things that you may prefer over WVU:
As a preface, all the schools listed below got at least an A- on Niche in terms of best colleges athletics. I’ve also listed their party scene and student life grades (though I would check the survey definitions and stuff to see what it is they’re assessing and how it aligns with what you want).
Some other schools that you may want to consider that would be in-between the sure things and the reach-for-all schools are below. They may be sufficiently generous on an NPC, but I think you’d also have a shot at getting a big merit award from them that would also get you into budget, so even if the NPC doesn’t come back favorably, they’d still be options. You would definitely need to show demonstrated interest, especially with Tulane. If they don’t think you’re excited about the possibility of attending and that they’d be serious contenders if they’d extend you an offer, you’re not going to get an offer (speaking of Tulane…and it can also play a factor for some other schools, too).
U. of Miami (FL): Its Stamps scholarship is a full ride but there are also several full tuition scholarships available (source). ABET-accredited for several areas, including biomedical. A+ for athletics, A+ for party scene, A+ for student life.
Villanova (PA ): Can compete for the Presidential scholarship (full ride) (source). Many ABET-accredited fields. A+ for athletics, B+ for party scene, A for student life.
Wake Forest (NC): Has full rides available (source)…but only ABET-accredited for general engineering. A for athletics, A for party scene, A for student life.
Tulane (LA): Has full rides and full tuition scholarships (source)…ABET-accredited for several engineering areas, including biomedical. A- for athletics, A+ for party scene, A+ for student life.
Boston University (MA): Offers scholarships up to full tuition (source). ABET-accredited for biomedical engineering. A- for athletics, A for party scene, A+ for student life.
These schools are more in the reach-for-all categories, though I think they’re worthy of consideration
Actually, I’m not presuming. I know from students (including friends and family members) who have attended these institutions, that Princeton, Columbia, MIT, Stanford (to name a few from OP’s list) and others like them that he should apply to (Penn, Cornell) have great engineering programs and facilities. And I can comfortably say that the opportunities, resources, academic quality and experience OP will have will be better than at WVU.
That does not mean WVU is bad at all, but if we’re comparing I don’t think WVU is Ivy Plus level. Just my opinion.
You have built an impressive academic record. Kudos to you!
If your financial situation improves with your start-up, etc., you may want to add CMU to your list as a reach. The Nerd Farm is ranked higher in engineering and business than many of the prestige schools on your list. The bad news is that CMU does not give merit, and I think they are stingy with need based aid compared to many schools.
I don’t know if you consider this a positive or not, but Pittsburgh is a good deal closer to you than most schools on your list, including all your reaches.
Not top 20 in engineering but definitely next 20. Which means still very good. And unfortunately still not in the same league (no pun intended) as VWU.
And besides, there are other benefits of going to Harvard or Yale.
You have an interesting way of spelling West Virginia University. VWU? UWV? (I’m just messing with you)
Could y’all give me some more info about Vanderbilt’s Engineering and Business schools. If they’re highly recognized, then it might be my top choice. I’ve though about joining the marching band at WVU (if I go there) and seeing as Vanderbilt is SEC, if the band travels with the football team, then I can go to other SEC schools and get free admissions to a football game? It kind of adds the social aspect that I want out of college.
Ohh, you’re a glutton for punishment if you’re thinking Vandy for their sports.
As for how good their engineering is, it’s really hard to answer the “how good is X” question. Rankings are based on zero objective information. Most people’s opinions are based on those or the results of their own kids. Here’s the secret though…most engineers have good outcomes from most schools. Only the strong survive. Look at elite teams though and there’s no advantage for any school.
Do what does one do? Look at LinkedIn for employers. Look at curriculum. Look at facilities. Notice I didn’t say look at salaries. They are determined by location.
I know that I’m kind of bumping this thread, but if let’s say we took my preferences out, what would be the likely hood of me getting into a good engineering program.
I know that @AustenNut did this for me using my list, but I want a broader range.
Don’t worry about cost, just chance me for some colleges that have a good program (ABET accreditation).
Does it turn out that your family has access to a significantly larger budget for your college than you thought? If not, budget should not come out of consideration.
Is this your way of looking for schools that are in between extremely likely and low probability? Or…?
If looking for a strong engineering program, people might mention Rensselaer Polytechnic or Worcester Polytechnic or Clarkson or Rose-Hulman or Stevens Institute of Technology or Missouri S&T or South Dakota Mines, all of which have strong engineering programs. But they’re not the schools I’d pick for someone who wants to play in a band and see major football competitions.
But guess what…there are strong engineering programs at schools that have the kind of college life you described! Iowa State is the first one that comes to mind, and U. of Louisville’s engineering program has gotten a lot of positive commentary from people here on the board.
From the schools that have been mentioned on this thread (plus a couple other inclusions), these are some where I think you get good engineering and the college life you’re hoping for. Note that for the publics outside of the extremely likely category, you would probably need a Hail Mary type of scholarship…but they’re available and they’re definitely possible for a candidate of your strength.
Extremely Likely (80-99+%)
Iowa State
U. of Louisville
(below are some of the colleges we know would meet budget…did you see if you prefer any of these to WVU?)
U. of Kansas
Kansas State
Mississippi State
Ohio U.
Oklahoma State
U. of Oklahoma
U. of Nebraska
U. of Alabama
WVU
Likely (60-79%)
Ohio State
Syracuse (will need to show demonstrated interest or it may turn into a rejection)
I am loathe to refer to any school as a “safety” these days, and I know that you did not want to add any schools, but it appears that you are chasing prestige rather than fit. You might want to look at CWRU as a “likely admit”. They are #21 (down from 12 in recent years, but still higher than many “pretige” schools on your list) in BioMed Eng and they have relationships for research and field training with The Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital. They also facilitate double majors and minors. My son is a MechE major and Business minor, and the school let him fill all his humanities requirements with business classes.
The icing on the cake is that Case offers healthy merit to students it wants (50% of tuition, or more). Make sure to demonstrate interest though - they practice yield management.
On the downside, Case will not satisfy your jones for big time sports.
You might also consider Pitt’s honors program. They too are highly ranked in BioMed and have affiliations with research hospitals. We were surprisingly pleased with the campus, and they have a cross registration program with CMU, which is right next door. They also have a D1 football team (not sure how good they are these days).
(I’m just messing with you)
