Anonymous wrote:I'll be honest, his AP scores and SAT don't align with his 4.0 UW GPA. That's a red flag unless you can explain it, especially given the suggestion that APs were easier this year.

How did he do on math portion of SAT?

+1 grade inflation is massive.

FWIW, I have one kid at UMD who is a dual math/CS major, and doing very well (straight As now a junior). 1580 SAT (800 math), 5 on all APs, including physics and Calc, passed the UMD MVC exam easily.

And they were rejected at GA Tech. Not a URM.

You should look at Clarkson. They have a supportive atmosphere that really reinforces skills (e.g., a kid with a lower score on the AP Calc exam) so kids can succeed in the tougher upper level engineering classes. They graduate excellent engineers and kids have a great experience during their college years, in spite of a tough curriculum.

Anonymous wrote:WPI is test blind. Also consider Clarkson, although it's in the middle of nowhere.

DS got in to WPI and Clarkson with a 1310 SAT. WPI small amount of merit aid. Clarkson much higher $$. Also accepted at College of NJ, York College of PA, Frostburg State.

No shade on OP's child, but how do you get an A in AP classes and then get below a 3 on the actual exam?

WPI is test blind. Also consider Clarkson, although it's in the middle of nowhere.

My best friend's DS just graduated with an engineering degree from Union College. It's a terrific small college with a fairly big, for the college's overall size, engineering program. Also excellent sciences. And if engineering doesn't work out, a student can easily transition to one of the sciences in the liberal arts side of Union. And depending on your child's sport, it's D3 and maybe there's a chance of continuing to play. It also is a beautiful campus. Like a college campus out of central casting.

Anonymous wrote:This is why the TO policies are such a BS.

They'd still need 5s on 8+ AP courses for some consideration. This is nowhere close.

Howard University. A lot of major companies recruit there, for obvious reasons

Troy University

Anonymous wrote:And by minority, are we talking underrepresented minority or Asian?

If he is Asian / Indian, that works against him, not for him.

Anonymous wrote:What would you suggest for schools for engineering schools, prefer a diverse school on the east coast, will consider mid-west or Texas but not California (too far). Trying to limit to 6 schools) 2 reach, 2 target, 2 safety.

male minority MCPS
4.0 UW, weighted 4.8
1190 SAT
6 APs by junior year, so far, no scores above a 3) (physics, chemistry, AB calc, lang, apush, world)
2 years HS language (through level 4)

Good extracurriculars — varsity sports, great leadership / community service, peer tutor

Plans to take SAT again, and work over the summer before senior year. The only reason I mentioned he’s a minority is to emphasize his desire to be in a diverse environment

Georgia Tech and Rice are top of list.
What else do you recommend?

Even with a 1290, Georgia Tech and Rice are not happening. Also, not enough APs and you'd need 5s for those two schools anyway. Plus outstanding ECs, enthusiastic LOCs, and a really compelling essay. Not to mention at least Calculus BC, but really more like Multivariable in order to be considered.

The good news is that most engineering programs in the top 100 schools are really good. And companies hiring engineering majors generally don't care if you went to an Ivy League or a state school. I'd aim a lot lower than Georgia Tech and plan on applying to more than 6 schools. When it comes to engineering, there really aren't any safety schools. It's tough out there. And also, there are the weed out classes to consider. You don't want to be among the weakest students in an engineering program regardless. Those students don't make it past freshman year anywhere. Look for an academic peer group and apply there. Rice and Georgia Tech are operating at genius level. A 1290 SAT student is going to get chewed up in those programs. Find better fits. There have been some good suggestions here.

Anonymous wrote:If you’d consider going as far as Florida, the FAMU-FSU joint engineering program might be of interest.

I would look into some of the Florida colleges. I worked in an engineering office in Gainesville but I'm not an engineer. I worked around EIT's. Your son would fit in just fine. Our office did civil and structural engineering work. UF is a very diverse and fun college experience.

I would also look into the FAMU-FSU joint engineering. I know FAMU grads and FSU grads. All liked their time in Tallahassee.

I am a UD grad. The main engineering program at UD is chemical. It was considered the toughest major at UD. I would not recommend chemical engineering for your son at UD.

OP here, yes can afford full pay

Can they afford full pay?

Whoops OP here, SAT score is 1290, 650 on math portion. Yes I know it’s still not stellar; that was his first rake. Also realized he did get a 4 in AP History.
Trying to focus on the assignment of a good list, no need for snarky comments about that’s why TO is bs. The kid is doing the best he can. Thanks for college suggestions.