Anonymous
11/17/2025 00:13
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Haven’t seen anyone mention Rice - strong engineering programs, including BioE and Aerospace
I have one at Rice engineering - mechanical. Excellent overall. And the internships he's been getting from freshman year on have been outstanding.
My impression is that rice is a hard admit—is that right? So not as hard as mit, caltech but harder than Pitt, Delaware, WPI, Stevens, right?
Not sure if it’s too much of a reach for my kid who has mostly Bs in math.
The reality check is that any student with mostly Bs in math is going to have a tough time getting admitted to any engineering program.
And yes, Rice is a reach for everyone.
My DC has already been admitted to 3 with Bs in Math.
Congrats!!! Was this a public HS? Would you mind sharing the name/s?
I’d also love to hear from PP which of the big public schools are better at building community for the engineering schools.
Also does anyone have any suggestions for college consultants that are knowledgeable about the different pros and cons of different engineering schools? I feel like it’s so different than looking at other colleges.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 22:26
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Reaches
MIT
Georgia Tech (OOS)
Cal Tech
Berkely (OOS)
Michigan (OOS)
UT- Austin (OOS)
Targets
Purdue
Maryland
Wisconsin
I'm surprised that UMD is a "target." It's pretty competitive, even for top students.
I'm surprised that you're surprised. Compared to the reach schools listed, it absolutely is a target.
My nephew in state MD was rejected UMD-but accepted VT
My DC in state VA was rejected VT-but accepted UMD. *shrug*
DP
OOS students pay full freight. Public colleges need those OOS students to balance their budget.
True. It's not a "shrug". VT is $38,168 a year. UMD OOS is $63,122
And what is VT OOS cost?
Anonymous
11/16/2025 22:25
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Haven’t seen anyone mention Rice - strong engineering programs, including BioE and Aerospace
I have one at Rice engineering - mechanical. Excellent overall. And the internships he's been getting from freshman year on have been outstanding.
My impression is that rice is a hard admit—is that right? So not as hard as mit, caltech but harder than Pitt, Delaware, WPI, Stevens, right?
Not sure if it’s too much of a reach for my kid who has mostly Bs in math.
The reality check is that any student with mostly Bs in math is going to have a tough time getting admitted to any engineering program.
And yes, Rice is a reach for everyone.
I know. He doesn’t want to hear it since it’s been his dream for years. He will have a close to perfect math sat and probably a 5 (at least a 4) on the BC calc exam plus taking multivariate as a senior. We have tons of engineers in my family so I know he’s capable of it but he just doesn’t have the best grades for a variety of reasons. I’m wondering if places like Delaware, Arizona, Connecticut etc are possible. Ideas welcome.
He's totally fine in engineering. Look at schools like RPI, Clarkson and RH.
Just to add, engineering schools are better for support and study groups. It's easier to get lost in the crowd at large state schools. He wants to be at a school where he can email the prof with a question and have others on his hall in the class who can commiserate when studying for a hard test or completing a hard problem set.
You can absolutely email professors at large state schools, in addition to forming study groups and having dorm mates to commiserate with. Many large state schools have LLC dorms specifically for engineering students (and other disciplines) for precisely this reason.
DP. It definitely can work at a large school. I also could win the lottery. It is much more widespread and common at smaller schools than at larger schools.
What is "more widespread and common" at smaller schools?
Anonymous
11/16/2025 21:05
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Reaches
MIT
Georgia Tech (OOS)
Cal Tech
Berkely (OOS)
Michigan (OOS)
UT- Austin (OOS)
Targets
Purdue
Maryland
Wisconsin
I'm surprised that UMD is a "target." It's pretty competitive, even for top students.
I'm surprised that you're surprised. Compared to the reach schools listed, it absolutely is a target.
My nephew in state MD was rejected UMD-but accepted VT
My DC in state VA was rejected VT-but accepted UMD. *shrug*
DP
OOS students pay full freight. Public colleges need those OOS students to balance their budget.
True. It's not a "shrug". VT is $38,168 a year. UMD OOS is $63,122
Anonymous
11/16/2025 20:05
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Reaches
MIT
Georgia Tech (OOS)
Cal Tech
Berkely (OOS)
Michigan (OOS)
UT- Austin (OOS)
Targets
Purdue
Maryland
Wisconsin
I'm surprised that UMD is a "target." It's pretty competitive, even for top students.
I'm surprised that you're surprised. Compared to the reach schools listed, it absolutely is a target.
My nephew in state MD was rejected UMD-but accepted VT
I know several high stat engineering kids who were rejected in state UMD but accepted to reaches. UMD was brutal for our public school last year.
It's a backup to the top engineering schools. But, it's still a good school. Ranked #21 for Engineering by US News.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 19:58
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Reaches
MIT
Georgia Tech (OOS)
Cal Tech
Berkely (OOS)
Michigan (OOS)
UT- Austin (OOS)
Targets
Purdue
Maryland
Wisconsin
I'm surprised that UMD is a "target." It's pretty competitive, even for top students.
I'm surprised that you're surprised. Compared to the reach schools listed, it absolutely is a target.
My nephew in state MD was rejected UMD-but accepted VT
My DC in state VA was rejected VT-but accepted UMD. *shrug*
DP
OOS students pay full freight. Public colleges need those OOS students to balance their budget.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 19:56
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Haven’t seen anyone mention Rice - strong engineering programs, including BioE and Aerospace
I have one at Rice engineering - mechanical. Excellent overall. And the internships he's been getting from freshman year on have been outstanding.
My impression is that rice is a hard admit—is that right? So not as hard as mit, caltech but harder than Pitt, Delaware, WPI, Stevens, right?
Not sure if it’s too much of a reach for my kid who has mostly Bs in math.
The reality check is that any student with mostly Bs in math is going to have a tough time getting admitted to any engineering program.
And yes, Rice is a reach for everyone.
I know. He doesn’t want to hear it since it’s been his dream for years. He will have a close to perfect math sat and probably a 5 (at least a 4) on the BC calc exam plus taking multivariate as a senior. We have tons of engineers in my family so I know he’s capable of it but he just doesn’t have the best grades for a variety of reasons. I’m wondering if places like Delaware, Arizona, Connecticut etc are possible. Ideas welcome.
He's totally fine in engineering. Look at schools like RPI, Clarkson and RH.
Just to add, engineering schools are better for support and study groups. It's easier to get lost in the crowd at large state schools. He wants to be at a school where he can email the prof with a question and have others on his hall in the class who can commiserate when studying for a hard test or completing a hard problem set.
DP. It definitely can work at a large school. I also could win the lottery. It is much more widespread and common at smaller schools than at larger schools.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 19:41
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Reaches
MIT
Georgia Tech (OOS)
Cal Tech
Berkely (OOS)
Michigan (OOS)
UT- Austin (OOS)
Targets
Purdue
Maryland
Wisconsin
I'm surprised that UMD is a "target." It's pretty competitive, even for top students.
I'm surprised that you're surprised. Compared to the reach schools listed, it absolutely is a target.
My nephew in state MD was rejected UMD-but accepted VT
I know several high stat engineering kids who were rejected in state UMD but accepted to reaches. UMD was brutal for our public school last year.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 19:41
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Reaches
MIT
Georgia Tech (OOS)
Cal Tech
Berkely (OOS)
Michigan (OOS)
UT- Austin (OOS)
Targets
Purdue
Maryland
Wisconsin
I'm surprised that UMD is a "target." It's pretty competitive, even for top students.
I'm surprised that you're surprised. Compared to the reach schools listed, it absolutely is a target.
My nephew in state MD was rejected UMD-but accepted VT
My DC in state VA was rejected VT-but accepted UMD. *shrug*
DP
Anonymous
11/16/2025 19:38
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Reaches
MIT
Georgia Tech (OOS)
Cal Tech
Berkely (OOS)
Michigan (OOS)
UT- Austin (OOS)
Targets
Purdue
Maryland
Wisconsin
I'm surprised that UMD is a "target." It's pretty competitive, even for top students.
I'm surprised that you're surprised. Compared to the reach schools listed, it absolutely is a target.
My nephew in state MD was rejected UMD-but accepted VT
Anonymous
11/16/2025 18:53
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Haven’t seen anyone mention Rice - strong engineering programs, including BioE and Aerospace
I have one at Rice engineering - mechanical. Excellent overall. And the internships he's been getting from freshman year on have been outstanding.
My impression is that rice is a hard admit—is that right? So not as hard as mit, caltech but harder than Pitt, Delaware, WPI, Stevens, right?
Not sure if it’s too much of a reach for my kid who has mostly Bs in math.
The reality check is that any student with mostly Bs in math is going to have a tough time getting admitted to any engineering program.
And yes, Rice is a reach for everyone.
My DC has already been admitted to 3 with Bs in Math.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 18:40
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Haven’t seen anyone mention Rice - strong engineering programs, including BioE and Aerospace
I have one at Rice engineering - mechanical. Excellent overall. And the internships he's been getting from freshman year on have been outstanding.
My impression is that rice is a hard admit—is that right? So not as hard as mit, caltech but harder than Pitt, Delaware, WPI, Stevens, right?
Not sure if it’s too much of a reach for my kid who has mostly Bs in math.
The reality check is that any student with mostly Bs in math is going to have a tough time getting admitted to any engineering program.
And yes, Rice is a reach for everyone.
I know. He doesn’t want to hear it since it’s been his dream for years. He will have a close to perfect math sat and probably a 5 (at least a 4) on the BC calc exam plus taking multivariate as a senior. We have tons of engineers in my family so I know he’s capable of it but he just doesn’t have the best grades for a variety of reasons. I’m wondering if places like Delaware, Arizona, Connecticut etc are possible. Ideas welcome.
He's totally fine in engineering. Look at schools like RPI, Clarkson and RH.
Just to add, engineering schools are better for support and study groups. It's easier to get lost in the crowd at large state schools. He wants to be at a school where he can email the prof with a question and have others on his hall in the class who can commiserate when studying for a hard test or completing a hard problem set.
I think what the poster was suggesting is going to a school where the focus is engineering and most of the students are engineering majors is better for support and to "commiserate". There is something to that. But, it has nothing to do with the size of the school or it being public. Poster lost me there.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 18:28
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Haven’t seen anyone mention Rice - strong engineering programs, including BioE and Aerospace
I have one at Rice engineering - mechanical. Excellent overall. And the internships he's been getting from freshman year on have been outstanding.
My impression is that rice is a hard admit—is that right? So not as hard as mit, caltech but harder than Pitt, Delaware, WPI, Stevens, right?
Not sure if it’s too much of a reach for my kid who has mostly Bs in math.
The reality check is that any student with mostly Bs in math is going to have a tough time getting admitted to any engineering program.
And yes, Rice is a reach for everyone.
I know. He doesn’t want to hear it since it’s been his dream for years. He will have a close to perfect math sat and probably a 5 (at least a 4) on the BC calc exam plus taking multivariate as a senior. We have tons of engineers in my family so I know he’s capable of it but he just doesn’t have the best grades for a variety of reasons. I’m wondering if places like Delaware, Arizona, Connecticut etc are possible. Ideas welcome.
He's totally fine in engineering. Look at schools like RPI, Clarkson and RH.
Just to add, engineering schools are better for support and study groups. It's easier to get lost in the crowd at large state schools. He wants to be at a school where he can email the prof with a question and have others on his hall in the class who can commiserate when studying for a hard test or completing a hard problem set.
You can absolutely email professors at large state schools, in addition to forming study groups and having dorm mates to commiserate with. Many large state schools have LLC dorms specifically for engineering students (and other disciplines) for precisely this reason.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 17:24
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Reaches
MIT
Georgia Tech (OOS)
Cal Tech
Berkely (OOS)
Michigan (OOS)
UT- Austin (OOS)
Targets
Purdue
Maryland
Wisconsin
I'm surprised that UMD is a "target." It's pretty competitive, even for top students.
I'm surprised that you're surprised. Compared to the reach schools listed, it absolutely is a target.
Anonymous
11/16/2025 17:07
Subject: Which engineering programs is your DC applying to?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Haven’t seen anyone mention Rice - strong engineering programs, including BioE and Aerospace
I have one at Rice engineering - mechanical. Excellent overall. And the internships he's been getting from freshman year on have been outstanding.
My impression is that rice is a hard admit—is that right? So not as hard as mit, caltech but harder than Pitt, Delaware, WPI, Stevens, right?
Not sure if it’s too much of a reach for my kid who has mostly Bs in math.
The reality check is that any student with mostly Bs in math is going to have a tough time getting admitted to any engineering program.
And yes, Rice is a reach for everyone.
I know. He doesn’t want to hear it since it’s been his dream for years. He will have a close to perfect math sat and probably a 5 (at least a 4) on the BC calc exam plus taking multivariate as a senior. We have tons of engineers in my family so I know he’s capable of it but he just doesn’t have the best grades for a variety of reasons. I’m wondering if places like Delaware, Arizona, Connecticut etc are possible. Ideas welcome.
He's totally fine in engineering. Look at schools like RPI, Clarkson and RH.
Just to add, engineering schools are better for support and study groups. It's easier to get lost in the crowd at large state schools. He wants to be at a school where he can email the prof with a question and have others on his hall in the class who can commiserate when studying for a hard test or completing a hard problem set.