Matriculate in engineering, after having met admission requirements, get a substantial scholarship. Maintain a minimum GPA (I suggest 2.5 for freshman year, to go up .25 each year) in order to keep it for the following year.

My middle daughter, not an engineering student, got this kind of a deal from the 4-year art school she attends. They based the initial award on her 11th grade GPA, since she applied in the fall of her senior year, and upon her portfolio. Art schools aren't so enthralled with standardized tests, so the SATs she had taken the previous spring didn't even get a look. Half of one's tuition each year, dependent upon performance, is a sizable incentive to show up for class and to turn in your best work.

College financing is unfair in all sorts of ways. The legacy admissions and scholarships are glaring examples. If a kid can get a break on admission and financial aid because of family connections, I fail to see how the endowment of scholarships for certain needed professions will be seen as favoritism.