Anonymous wrote:Thanks all! I think so much is about the unknown amt of merit aid that he could get, which means tons of applications.

Yep. But once you’ve done the Common or Coalition App, not too bad. Some mentioned above done fo merit, so research and knock them off any list.

Thanks all! I think so much is about the unknown amt of merit aid that he could get, which means tons of applications.

Anonymous wrote:+1 on changing mind on Mason. It's the largest and top rated research university in Virginia and is very strong in computers, engineering, cyber security, game design, etc. https://volgenau.gmu.edu/

+2 go visit like you would an out-of-town school. My DS, interested in STEM, also said no way to GMU because it was too close. Then he went to an info season about it at school (guessing he just wanted to get out of class that day) and now it's on the list. Not his first choice but a solid academic and financial safety he'd be fine with going to.

OP it's also the price you listed. Merit will be a big ? so I'd say just go ahead and apply to these schools and see what they come back with. Also what does your DC thing about dual degree engineering? Seton Hall gave a lot of merit aid to someone with similar stats who is a friend of my DC, but they don't have engineering except for the 5-year plan with NJIT https://www.shu.edu/academics/bs-engineering.cfm. I don't know much about those programs and how they are viewed.

Case Western
WPI
Olin
RPI
Penn State
WVU
Stevens
North Carolina State
RIT
Clark
CMU
Pitt
LaFayette
Lehigh
Drexel
Cooper Union
Northeastern
Boston University

I believe all give some merit. Also Honors Colleges for state schools:
Pitt
Penn State
GMU
WVU
Delaware
NC State
Michigan State
Ohio State
Case
RPI
Stevens
Union (LAC w/engineering)

+1 on changing mind on Mason. It's the largest and top rated research university in Virginia and is very strong in computers, engineering, cyber security, game design, etc. https://volgenau.gmu.edu/

Case Western gives merit aid to kids like yours. Colorado School of Mines does too.

^^ more than half of our nation's graduates are taking more than five years to graduate.

Our DS went to GMU and lived in the dorms all five years. He came home only for holidays. Loved it. And GMU has the excellent computer science and engineering programs you are looking for.

Schools to look at -
Stevens Institute of Tech in NJ
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
RPI
RIT
UMBC
Penn State
Drexel
Delaware

OP. OK, let's extend the drive to 8 hours. Does that give us more options?

Perdue

WVU
Get over GMU being close to home
Pitt if they haven't stopped with the merit
NVCC and transfer

Not a lot for those stats and criteria

I appreciate how helpful all were for the family looking for SLAC safeties.

How about safeties for a kid with 1500 SAT and likely 4.1-4.2 weighted GPA at end of junior year.
Fairfax county boy who wants to study computer science or engineering.

VT, UVA and CWM would all be great, obviously, but really reaches, maybe a match for VT.

We need academic safeties, but also financial safeties. Would like to keep tuition/fees/room/board to 35,000 or less. I know CWM is really more around 40K. Most calculators show us paying around 45K at privates.

And GMU is too close to home.

Would appreciate recommendations so much! Prefer to stay within 5 hour drive.