GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
HS GPA: 3.3 out of a 4.0
College GPA: 4.0
Class Rank: N/A
ACT/SAT Scores: Not Taken
Coursework
3 Engineering courses, 3 Gen ed courses,
3 Stem Courses, about 28 credits. Awards
Deans List Extracurriculars
Usually, I work 25-30 hours a week, therefore extracurriculars are on the weaker side.
Essays/LORs/Other
Two LORs one from STEM and the other from a nonstem class both from professors. Both are strong LOR.
Cost Constraints / Budget
N/A as I plan to “bite the bullet” if it’s a good school.
Schools
I need help building this list out, as I am unfamiliar with applying and building a college list. I want to maximize my chances and ensure that I don’t miss out on any opportunities. Any advice/criticisms is greatly appreciated.
The first thing I might look at is - are there transfer agreements to Purdue?
There’s great engineering schools everywhere - but you might want to have your transcript evaluated - to ensure you are on path, etc for engineering.
But rather than bite the bullet budget wise, you might work with your family to set a budget - and then you should decide do you have preferences - size (you can be as small as Rose Hulman or as huge as a big public), weather, geography, etc.
Congrats on what you’ve done - and will do as you progress. You’re in a good position - so take leadership as to what you want vs. being controlled by what you think might be good - if that makes sense.
There were transfer agreements however things are changing. I prefer a mid-size school, and both parents aren’t paying/supporting me for college, as to why I noted “I will bite the bullet.” Other than that no preferences on weather and geography. And that makes sense, meaning take action and decide the path that I know I want to take and make the decision with confidence. Thank you.
Preferably for next Fall of 2024. I will have roughly 30 credits after this semester. I have contacted Purdue and spoke with an advisor, course equivalences, etc. However, to my knowledge, they changed the requirements recently.
It’s getting late for fall 2024 transfer apps. Are you applying to Purdue? If so, look to see if your intended major is still open for fall 2024 transfers (EE looks open as of right now): Closed Programs - Undergraduate Admissions - Purdue University
If your parents aren’t helping you pay for college, what is your budget? As a soph transfer student you will be able to take out $6.5k in loans on your own and that’s it. Other loans would be on your parents either directly or as co-signers. Will you qualify for need based aid based on your parents’ income/assets? We can’t really help you with school ideas until you address the budget situation. Your best bet may be to do another year at CC.
Yes, I will be applying for Purdue, they also don’t have a cap on admissions in Electrical Engineering, which is nice. I will qualify for need-based aid as my parents make well below the six-figure mark. My EFC was about 1500. If I needed a loan to be taken out, I do have a co-signer.
But realize all schools don’t meet need - so your EFC won’t necessarily help you. And some schools that meet need might not for transfers.
Also, if you need a loan (above the federal guaranteed limit), you potentially impact yourself financially for many many years - so biting the bullet as you say is not a good strategy. You won’t to go somewhere in expensive so you do the least harm to yourself long term. And you might consider a co -op while in school to help mitigate expense.
There are 410 ABET accredited schools in the US.
I would start my search with the Indiana publics on this list - no matter how you feel about their name. There are certain companies that require ABET as a first step - but I left the privates up as perhaps some have an in-state discount.
Then you might look at schools - which aren’t cheap but on the cheaper side (and check transfer merit) - such as UAH, West Carolina, Southern Illinois, and then you can look at some of the meets needs colleges such as Lafayette ¶ and Union (NY). Some of the HBCUs like NC A&T, Tennessee may also have low cost and are ABET accredited.
Check all academic transfer and monetary requirements. The other thing is - I hope you succeed but engineering is amongst the highest drop rates (some say as high as 60%) - so be careful how you spend your money. Think low cost - that will be critical to your financial future (in my opinion).
Best of luck.
Anderson University
Anderson
University of Evansville
Evansville
Indiana Institute of Technology
Fort Wayne
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Thank you for taking the time to make this, I will look into the list you provided as well as the others you mentioned. I understand there is a high drop-out rate, however, I believe there is always going to be a need for engineers, future proof in other words.
Agreed - just cautioning you on budget. There’s a lot of in-state publics - so that’s good. Maybe one is even close enough to live home to save money.