Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

I would say unless you plan on networking like crazy at a "prestigious" university (Ivies, Michigan, MIT, Stanford, Caltech) and do EXTREMELY well and are looking at joining a big name, global company/firm in either engineering, consulting, or business, don't worry about US schools. As someone with dual citizenship I think going to University of Toronto was probably one of the best choices I made (minus not applying early acceptance to Columbia). Most of my classmates in engineering went on to do fairly well at either big Canadian companies or local consulting firms. With the exorbitant and ridiculous cost of post-secondary education in the states, a US school is really only worth it if you know what you want. Most of my high school friends who went to public school in the states are also doing fairly well as well at great companies as well, but no one is necessarily with a giant group like BCG or Google or anything like that. On the other hand, they don't have massive student debt. I would say in order to make it into those type of companies you do need a school with a big reputation that would match the reputation of the company. It will cost you more of course, but the idea is you would be making more at a giant company and could pay it off quicker. Of the Canadian schools I would say either McGill or UofT would be your best bet, but I'm biased to UofT cause I came from there.

Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

It might be late, but did you consider Mizzou? I have A TON of friends who went to Mizzou engineering and are doing really well. I know they give a ton of scholarships as well (one of my friends if I remember essentially got paid to go because he was in state and had scholarship money).

Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

I'm going to Embry-Riddle Florida (already accepted) for aerospace engineering.

Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

I have applied to:

McMaster University - Engineering
University of Waterloo - Mechatronics Engineering
Western University - Engineering

Offers of admission come out around March, I can hardly wait!

Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

No Texas schools from anyone?!

Applied(and waiting):
UT -Austin
Georgia Tech

Accepted:
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Colorado School of Mines

Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

Though I have not completed applications for all colleges, just reviewing the information from my favorites, I have started believing (almost) that college admission is mostly luck. There is no guarantee that anyone person will definitely get into a good college. It’s not just about GPA (subjective depending on the school, city and state you attend), it’s not about SAT/ACT scores (they vary from test to test), it’s not definitely about extracurricular activities or interview or the Essay! Well you need to have decent scores and GPA, you are expected to have participated in diverse activities, some of them must be focused to your interest, you are expected to show leadership, not in just one activity and what not! From early middle school I focused on Engineering, just because my brain is hardwired to building and programming. Did Flash animation, not a good artist, but had fun making stick man do crazy stuff, build structures and competed in Destination Imagination, once got 2nd place in Nationals, unbelievable achievement for my school district. Did FLL went to Nationals, 2nd team (of the 3) from my city to go to Nationals ever, then joined FRC! Did Science Olympiad for many years. Had no time to join student association or year book clubs, did not do competitive sports, I play for fun though. Did not join drama club, dropped out of quiz bowl after couple of years. Barely got the sleep during school days (no not video games), just the home work, school projects and managing FRC stuff. Now I am applying for Engineering, thinking dedication to FRC would give me some advantage compared to non-FRC applicants. Standing with thousands for students some are like me and others slightly different, not knowing which college will accept my application… I am beginning to wonder if my decision to pursue engineering related activities will really help me in my college admission. Would joining DECCA or quiz bowl or heading student group or becoming editor-in-chief of school paper or taking up summer job, had given me a better chance? I am keeping my fingers, hands and legs crossed and waiting patiently. If nothing works out, will join local college and start my own FRC team…know enough to do that confidently!

Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

Being a junior at WPI, I think I can answer this one. :)
Yes, it is very true that WPI has a Robotics Engineering (RBE) major (it is a great program. Feel free to PM me if you want), but the words of one of the people I talked to continues to ring true to this day: Don't go to WPI for the RBE Major, go for the WPI Plan.
That is to say, there are other schools that offer similar programs, but WPI is unique that it is very hands on and project based. My finals week consists of more work on projects than studying. I have definitely enjoyed my time at WPI so far, as I am sure many potential students may, just do not remember that the college experience is more than just classes.

Libby: What are you studying in grad school?

Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

Libby, did you help make this a thing? I have been wanting one of these at Michigan Tech since I got here, any ideas on how to make this happen? Actually, I may have lots of questions for you, perhaps better suited for a PM or Facebook.

I saw this, expected this website ( https://www.pasty.com/snow/ ) and didn't get why this wasnt where I was linked to. Maybe it is only a thing you learn about once you get to Tech....

Anyhow, as Chris said, we have a wonderful chance to mentor teams up here, and would always love to have more FIRSTers up here! Can't go a day without seeing a shirt or 20.

Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

Applied: Caltech, Stanford, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, Bucknell, Rose Hulman, Colorado School of Mines

Accepted: Rose, Mines

Denied: Caltech

And we wait for the rest :rolleyes:

Heading into Electrical Engineering with a either a minor or dual major in Business Managment/ Administration.
This tread is pretty awesome, it's so cool to see what/ where everyone is applying to and heading. Best of luck.

Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

This is too funny, only because that was exactly my list, 34 years ago. I was a NM semifinalist with an A average, but too lazy to write an essay. When I found out that MSU didn't require an essay, and they had what looked like a nice honors program, I applied, was accepted, and that was that. 4 years later I had my Biochemistry/Physiology degree, and set off into the wide world. Go Moo U! (I hear they also have a pretty good video game development program now, so I've tried to get my son to apply, but he's not interested in anything east of Colorado.)

FYI, I later became a computer programmer, then went to law school, and am now a very happily self-employed lawyer on Kauai, and mentor of the Kauaibots (go 2465!).

SO I had to laugh out loud when I read this list!

By the way, my son has applied to USC (his first choice), UC Santa Cruz, University of Denver, UH Manoa (total safety), and Digipen. He wants to do game programming. Was going to apply to Harvey Mudd but decided that his chance of getting in is miniscule. And who am I to fight him when he says he doesn't want to write more essays? ;-) No responses yet....

Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

Going for communications: University of Rhode Island, Hofstra, University of Miami, Emerson, Ithaca, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Binghamton, RIT, Quinnipiac, Marist, Syracuse

Accepted: Quinnipiac, Hofstra

Deferred: Emerson

11 schools is a lot...

Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

Update: Accepted - Villanova University

Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

Applied: Lake Superior State University.

Accepted: Lake Superior State University.

It's not the most impressive list, but it's a thing and I'm happy with it.

Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

I was accepted Early Decision I to Stevens Institute of Technology. I hope to meet some other FIRST robotics participants there. Feel free to message me.

Re: FIRST Class of 2014, Where are we going?
 

Applied:
University of Utah
Utah State University (Accepted)
New Mexico Military Institute (Accepted)

I'm going to Utah State, majoring in Chemistry, minoring in Mechanical Engineering. Hoping to join their robotics team/program.