Options for Tech/Math/Business student — am I getting this right?

[Anonymous]

My child is a junior, excellent but not spectacular student, and really only interested in studying math/engineering/business (the data analytics/quantitative side). Now that we have an idea of where he falls numbers-wise, which is lower half of the 25%-75% range for Ivy/Stanford and just below the 25% range for MIT and Cal Tech, we’re trying to pull together a range of schools to visit. I’m a liberal arts person myself, so this has come as a surprise to me: Once you get past the top 15 or 20 schools, there aren’t options on the math-y side that are similar to, for example, the SLACs. So our list includes a few reach schools (Penn, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon) and then jumps to big state schools (Georgia Tech, UCLA). I’m very happy to live in Virginia because that means UVA and Virginia Tech are great match options, but I wanted to check in with the board about whether I’m missing something. It feels like there should be some more ‘matches’ out there for math types.

[Anonymous]

First, you are missing that all SLACs have math and most have CS although the CS may not be great. In VA this means don't leave out W&M.

You are missing RPI, WPI, Stevens, RIT, Bucknell, Lehigh, Union, Clarkson Honors with DS's stats, Case Western, Pitt to name a few.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, you are missing that all SLACs have math and most have CS although the CS may not be great. In VA this means don't leave out W&M.

You are missing RPI, WPI, Stevens, RIT, Bucknell, Lehigh, Union, Clarkson Honors with DS's stats, Case Western, Pitt to name a few.

First line of this post is terrible advice. Why would a math/engineering/business kid want a SLAC? The second line may be good advice.

[Anonymous]

If you are interested in engineering and business, you cannot do better than Penn M&T. Super tough to get into though, like Harvard/Stanford-level tough. Penn also offers an uncoordinated dual degree in business and engineering if you do not manage to get into M&T.

[Anonymous]

What about Stevens Institute of Technology in NJ?

They just came on my radar because my son wants to study quantitative finance and be in NYC. Stevens is close enough on the Hudson River in Hoboken.

The school claims high employment rates and salaries upon graduation.

[Anonymous]

For an "excellent but not spectacular" applicant UVA and GA Tech are also reaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For an "excellent but not spectacular" applicant UVA and GA Tech are also reaches.

+1 Sorry but it's true.

[Anonymous]

Have heard good things about Stevens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First, you are missing that all SLACs have math and most have CS although the CS may not be great. In VA this means don't leave out W&M.

You are missing RPI, WPI, Stevens, RIT, Bucknell, Lehigh, Union, Clarkson Honors with DS's stats, Case Western, Pitt to name a few.

First line of this post is terrible advice. Why would a math/engineering/business kid want a SLAC? The second line may be good advice.

Maybe because the parent recognizes that to success, one needs to be able to write? Or, perhaps they realize that a mathematician is probably going to wind up in a work environment where they have to understand more than theory?

College is more than vocational training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are interested in engineering and business, you cannot do better than Penn M&T. Super tough to get into though, like Harvard/Stanford-level tough. Penn also offers an uncoordinated dual degree in business and engineering if you do not manage to get into M&T.

Let's talk about things this kid can actually attain.

[Anonymous]

OP,

Why are you so set on the liberal arts college kind of experience? My kid found them very claustrophobic. Do you know who your kid is?

If you Google carefully. You can learn which of the colleges have more of their kids in the maths and sciences and which do not. You can look at their offerings, and the percent that go on to grad school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about Stevens Institute of Technology in NJ?

They just came on my radar because my son wants to study quantitative finance and be in NYC. Stevens is close enough on the Hudson River in Hoboken.

The school claims high employment rates and salaries upon graduation.

They have a really interesting summer program for high school kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, you are missing that all SLACs have math and most have CS although the CS may not be great. In VA this means don't leave out W&M.

You are missing RPI, WPI, Stevens, RIT, Bucknell, Lehigh, Union, Clarkson Honors with DS's stats, Case Western, Pitt to name a few.

And Rochester. On the more business side... Dennison, Dickenson, Babson,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are interested in engineering and business, you cannot do better than Penn M&T. Super tough to get into though, like Harvard/Stanford-level tough. Penn also offers an uncoordinated dual degree in business and engineering if you do not manage to get into M&T.

Let's talk about things this kid can actually attain.

the kid will also be applying to reaches.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks to all for the info — RPI and RIT and WPI are good adds to the list, although I have a feeling he will prefer VA Tech to any of those. If you’re going to be in the middle of nowhere it might as well be warmer and less expensive, right?