I think visits are nice but some this student is considering need apps in 10 days or so.
So they have no choice but to apply (and maybe widely) on those schools to see where the dust settles and visit later.
But certainly for the Jan schools, if possible, they can visit some.
Exactly…it’s now October 24. I’m wondering when this application list will be made. There are some early deadlines for larger merit scholarships that must be met.
I hope all of this gets done in a timely fashion.
And some schools still consider demonstrated interest, including some discussed in this thread, so an in person visit can help a bit with admission. My daughter also found that having been on campus helped with the “why us” essays.
I realize it may be too late for the OP’s child but it’s something to consider for others reading this thread.
My S (EE major) ‘27 has decided T20s are the best option to allow him flexibility, interdisciplinary study, and meet his interest in R&D. He currently has a special interest in computing and energy, though this can and will change. He wouldn’t mind a normal engineering job but is aiming to pursue a PhD and go into industry research. The NPCs agree these will likely offer the best value for him.
S prefers small class sizes, accessible faculty, and the ability to perform undergrad research without sacrificing elective offerings and clubs, though these are a lesser priority. Also wants good CS resources so he can develop this skill too.
S is comparing the following schools and would like to formally rank them in terms of EE quality so he can prioritize the most compatible.
UPenn, Columbia, JHU, Northwestern, Rice, USC (not a T20)
Likely to remove - Harvard, Duke (heavily considering), Vanderbilt, Yale
It would be helpful if anyone could chip in with their insight on the benefits and drawbacks of each school (and their EE program, if known).
He’s also applying to MIT, Stanford, Caltech, Cornell, Princeton, but these are his T5 and set in stone.
So you don’t have any budget concerns? Otherwise I’d run the NPC. If he gets into a top 5 but it’s double what you want to spend - will you?
On the other thread, @momofboiler1 noted demonstrated interest - i.e. getting to campus to visit and doing an info session or signing up on line for one. Getting on their email list (if the student already isn’t) and opening up the emails they’ll routinely send. Opening videos - even if you walk away.
You can see if they track interest in the common data set section C7, the last line.
This is Rice.
I would check the privates, not public. Your tippy top won’t track it but Rice does. Schools like Case Western, Rochester, etc. do - in essence, they want to know if you are applying that you’ve “invested” your time into the school.
There will be people who say they did nothing to demonstrate interest and got in and others who said they demonstrated a ton and didn’t. So there’s no hard rule.
For schools that track, you can also google school name + demonstrated interest and they’ll tell you what they mean. I can’t actually find what Rice says but…so something to consider.
Does he have a college email set up? That way he can filter from personal things. And to ensure he gets on the email lists of each school of interest. They’ll all email him a lot - and some might even send app fee waivers (yep, top schools too).
I assume he has other safeties? If you don’t have safeties, it will enormously increase stress.
Likely RPI, Buffalo. Working on some OOS options he’d still be happy with but T20s are the priority right now.
Never knew Rice tracked demonstrated interest… I believe he did something to do with Rice but never visited.
You need one safety that you can’t let fail :-). It means you need to take it seriously along with your other “serious” list. It usually tends to be instate for obvious reasons. I went to school in UB myself in a different era — we did not get a snow day unless there was 3 feet of snow on the ground — something to be mindful of for a California kid. RPI will be equally cold. In Buffalo I once saw temps drop from +50 to -50 in 2 hours (w/ windchill). These are not completely irrelevant things although I would not normally care about environmental factors.
Schools understand there’s an expense to visit - so while they like that, it’s not a requirement. But they have various online info sessions of various sorts.
It’s never too late to start - and like I said, set up the email and open those they send, even if you play a video and walk away (my son did).
RPI is another that tracks interest. In essence, they don’t want to be a - he wants to go to MIT but settle for us. They want to know you’ve made an effort. It could also help with getting more merit - especially if they think they have a chance.
It doesn’t look like Hopkins or USC track interest.
He grew up in NY so hopefully can cope. I couldn’t.
Also a well balanced application strategy requires you to have thought through an ea/ed strategy — because you are pivoting to a private heavy list. For example, at northwestern, you are supposed to be late if you are not early. It is all about risk management, and no one can advise you — it is a purely personal decision process and is a function of your son’s utility function about all the schools. The EDs all need visits and conversations with people at the school.
Surprised that Carnegie Mellon isn’t on your list of privates. They are tippy top for CS and EE. Currently tied with MIT and Stanford for CS rankings. My daughter thought they had a similar student vibe to Cornell engineering but for your child’s interests, CMU is even better resourced.
JHU has very impressive research and lab facilities but Baltimore city isn’t for everyone. They also fill the bulk of their class in binding ED rounds. We were explicitly told by admissions that if we weren’t applying ED1 or ED2, admission was very unlikely in regular decision. Northwestern is similar.
I would also strongly encourage your son to prioritize his safeties and matches (which I don’t see any matches) as it’s statistically probable that he will get shut out of all his T20s. You want him to have solid options come the spring and not feel like he’s settling for his safeties.
As I mentioned, my son started as a physics major and when he transferred into engineering, it was easier to transfer more of his courses into mechanical engineering than electrical engineering. Otherwise, he said he wouldn’t probably chosen electrical engineering. He had tons of opportunities to do entrepreneurial/innovation work. One of his internships was with an energy company. One with an O&G company. Helped him realize back then he didn’t like working for corporate America (though he is now- in a FAANG)
I’m not sure if it was commented on in this thread but @aunt_bea has great experience with Cal Tech and wrote this one (post 46). I put here because it’s different. Top 5 or 1 or 30 - sure, you could use that as a way to create a list - but I would ensure your son saw her expertise to make sure that it works. On another thread, she pointed out that there are big uber eats and door dash bills because few have time to get to the dining hall.
Hope it provides isnights.
Do we or do we not get into MIT? (Aero/Astro) - Applying to College - College Confidential Forums
CMU is actually. I just keep forgetting cause their deadline is pretty late.
Matches - Purdue ……
You wrote this in the other thread that was closed. Your son’s “reach” list, which is a good one, is already set in stone. He may want to apply to up to 12-15 schools, adding more likely & safety options.
Personally, I’m ok with no targets/matches.
I think the most important school on your list is Buffalo - because it’s going to happen. It’s the fail safe.
I can’t imagine RPI doesn’t happen but make sure to demonstrate interest just in case.
But they only “matter” if he’d be excited to attend. I think RPI does really well - and probably has some that fell short of other top schools as a main contingent. They also likely have others that simply wanted a lower cost. But it’s a name well recognized and respected nationwide.
So if he’d be happy at those two, you don’t need matches per se - but certainly Purdue would be one. The safeties are most important because for many with a high level list like yours, the only ones they get into - or faced with a large bill, the only ones a student parent decides they can afford.
I sent a note earlier today and with a link that it’s free SUNY app week. If it’s easy to apply to SUNY schools (no idea), you can do up to 5 so he might as well add Bing and SB too - and even Albany/Oswego or New Paltz etc - just because of their size differences. Then you’d have more safeties if after visiting, his mindset changed.
That’s the plan. Any suggestions?
Absolutely, he’s doing Buffalo, SB, and maybe Bing. Might as well.
