Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 17:05     Subject: fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
Anonymous wrote:Cal Poly?


Cal Poly is a freaking DREAM SCHOOL but a harder admit outside of state and not sure how much merit they would offer. The kid is a NMSF so definitely would put cal poly on his list.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 16:59     Subject: fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
UF if kid likes Florida
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 16:52     Subject: fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech. All offer automatic merit aid based on grades & test scores. Texas Tech also waives the out-of-state portion of tuition if you qualify for merit aid.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 16:25     Subject: fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Agree with UA--friend goes there for about 24K/yr from FCPS.
WVU was a similar cost.


Not sure how old your friends kid is. My sophomore was offered a full ride from UA (not engineering so don’t know if that makes a difference) but my understanding is that the financial picture changed and the money isn’t flowing quite so freely anymore. Not saying there won’t be merit but it’s not like it was 3+ years ago.
The UC schools like even Santa Barbara and Davis are now harder to get into so not sure if they are safeties but the Cal school am probably would be safeties and have nice weather.

NC state might be good to consider.
Tulane?
I’m just not sure which schools are giving money for engineering since it’s so competitive.


interesting. Said kid is a college senior this year so entered in 2022.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 16:06     Subject: Re:fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:wait he can't be a finalist yet tho?
what's his selection index?

Perfect PSAT score.


Perfect. He can be an Aggie with full tuition paid. Rolling admissions, so apply early.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 15:59     Subject: Re:fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
Anonymous wrote:wait he can't be a finalist yet tho?
what's his selection index?

Perfect PSAT score.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 14:38     Subject: fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
Cal Poly?
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 14:37     Subject: fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
Anonymous wrote:Webb Institute is free. Only accepts 20 students a year and only offers one degree. An ABET accredited BS in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.


NP - DS dream school, they accept slightly more than 20 (but not much, usually around 30-32 and end up with 26-28 in the class). It's an incredible program, but definitely not the typical school if you are looking for school spirit and athletics.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 14:27     Subject: Re:fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
wait he can't be a finalist yet tho?
what's his selection index?
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 14:24     Subject: Re:fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
National merit?

A&M!

no-brainer
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 14:13     Subject: fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
Webb Institute is free. Only accepts 20 students a year and only offers one degree. An ABET accredited BS in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 14:08     Subject: fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
Anonymous wrote:Is he national merit finalist?


Yes.

Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 12:33     Subject: fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
Is he national merit finalist?
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 11:36     Subject: fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is a pretty wide ranging set of criteria, i.e.
fun engineering school, good weather and merit.
I am assuming that at the end of the day the academics and aid prospects outweigh weather and fun and suggest Colorado School of Mines.
I assume Purdue is on the target list


DD is at Mines and loving it. Got about $30K in merit.


Congrats to her! Mines is a great school, surprised it is so seldom mentioned on this board


Thanks. It's been a fantastic year for her. She's a freshman and managed to land a paid summer internship. It's been a great choice.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 11:35     Subject: fun safety school with good merit for high stat engineering student?
Auburn, University of Tennessee