With those stats, UMD admit is likely, but you just can't count on anything.

Mine had the following early admits as likelies and got into all with slightly lower stats than yours (also mcps magnet):
Pitt -- applied early Sep and got top merit
UVM-- top merit
Union -- excellent merit, don't know their scale
WPI-- same as Union
Manhattan College-- same as Union
Drexel -- merit not as good as others

Never got to RD or found out about UMD because ED1 reach came through.

Had it not, would have included a few more reaches in RD plus targets of Lehigh, Lafayette and one more likely of Clarkson (free app).

Why just 1 reach? If he’s not doing ED, you’d be foolish to only do 1 reach. It’s a bit of a lottery so why not enter more than 1 lottery.

Anonymous wrote:Please stop calling it UIUC.

Why?

As a true engineering safety you need to add one of those absolutely certain schools with decent academics & good merit aid like Iowa State or Kansas.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the input and list of smaller schools.

I really thought that OOS for Purdue & UIUC are targets with high GPA, rigorous classes, and high SAT! I'll ask kid to find other schools to add to the list.

With an impacted like engineering, you might need to adjust everything by a tier. (That is, everywhere will be more difficult to get into especially since he won't be alone with that GPA, coursework, and SAT. Respect the competition!)

Minnesota

CMU is a small school. If cost isn’t a problem, CMU should be a reach school in the list.

OP here. Thanks for the input and list of smaller schools.

I really thought that OOS for Purdue & UIUC are targets with high GPA, rigorous classes, and high SAT! I'll ask kid to find other schools to add to the list.

Please stop calling it UIUC.

Purdue and UIUC are NOT safeties for engineering.

If your kid is applying to UMD, (a Cornell/GA Tech), Purdue, and UIUC then you need to add some True safeties that list. I'd add at least 3 given the selectivity of the ones you have already.

Consider applying to Pitt in August. My DS 24 received an acceptance for engineering in September. It was a huge relief for him. Even though he viewed it as a safety, he would have been happy to attend.

Smaller schools for engineering:

Colorado School of Mines
RPI
Rochester University
WPI
Rose Hulman
RIT
Olin
Harvey Mudd
Stevens Institute of Technology
Bucknell
Lehigh
Lafayette
CWRU

I think UIUC engineering is a reach for everyone. UMD and Purdue are probably matches.

I don’t think Purdue and UIUC are safeties for Engineering.

My kid got merit at Lehigh for engineering this year.

This question is for my HS class of 2025 kid.

Very strong student in a Maryland public HS (16 AP/IB, ~4.9 WGPA, 1550 SAT) but weak ECs (school clubs and dabbles in music). Wants to study engineering. Only wishes to apply to a handful of schools.

We are advising to choose one top school as a reach (e.g. Cornell, GA Tech) and schools like UMD, Purdue, UIUC for targets/safeties. We think kid may be able to get some merit aid at UMD. Cost is not a concern.

Is there a smaller engineering school that anyone recommends? Preferably one where someone has a student there now or has a recent grad.