UIUC or UNC or UMD for aerospace?

[Anonymous]

DS wants to work in aerospace and definitely not for military type applications. He’s social, athletic, a foodie, big-city kind of kid. Very smart and well rounded. He might end up having to choose between UIUC, UMD and UNC. Which of these would be the best option for someone like him?

[Anonymous]

Does UNC even have Aerospace? Not really known for their engineering. Flip a coin for the other two.

[Anonymous]

"big city" <> UIUC. That's in the middle of nowhere.

[Anonymous]

Are you in state for any?

[Anonymous]

UIUC’s Aerospace program is ranked and popular but UMD should be very close. UNC Chapel Hill doesn’t have a comprehensive engineering school, so no Aerospace there. Pick between UIUC and UMD based on fit and financials.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you in state for any?

Instate for UMD but he really doesn’t want to be so close to home. But he also doesn’t want to be in the midwest.

[Anonymous]

Sorry I realize I just said he doesn’t want to be at any of the places I myself listed. He wanted to be in a big city but so far he hasn’t lucked out with any of those.

[Anonymous]

You don't need to do an aerospace major for a career in aerospace.

Mechanical engineering will do just fine. And most mechanical engineering programs will have an aerospace subspecialty. It'll be ok. A mechanical degree is not taking any options off the table.

Of the three schools you mentioned, UIUC will be the best. Maryland is good too, but totally understand wanting to leave the area. Throw an app to UNC if you want, but it's a difficult admit for OOS. And it's a weird school, because the OOS students are generally way brighter than the instate students.

Have your son take a closer look at mechanical engineering programs. Most will have some an aerospace speciality for the higher level classes.

[Anonymous]

It doesn’t matter. Any of them is fine.

[Anonymous]

UIUC is indeed in the middle of nowhere, but it's a 2 hour straight shot to Chicago.

[Anonymous]

University of Central Florida is supposed to have a phenomenal aerospace engineering program. NASA directly recruits students from there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't need to do an aerospace major for a career in aerospace.

Mechanical engineering will do just fine. And most mechanical engineering programs will have an aerospace subspecialty. It'll be ok. A mechanical degree is not taking any options off the table.

Of the three schools you mentioned, UIUC will be the best. Maryland is good too, but totally understand wanting to leave the area. Throw an app to UNC if you want, but it's a difficult admit for OOS. And it's a weird school, because the OOS students are generally way brighter than the instate students.

Have your son take a closer look at mechanical engineering programs. Most will have some an aerospace speciality for the higher level classes.

Thanks this is very helpful. I heard that thing about the instate vs OOS difference at UNC. Why is that such an issue at UNC in particular? I haven’t heard this at other publics.

[Anonymous]

UNC doesn’t have an engineering school. They only offer Env Eng.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't need to do an aerospace major for a career in aerospace.

Mechanical engineering will do just fine. And most mechanical engineering programs will have an aerospace subspecialty. It'll be ok. A mechanical degree is not taking any options off the table.

Of the three schools you mentioned, UIUC will be the best. Maryland is good too, but totally understand wanting to leave the area. Throw an app to UNC if you want, but it's a difficult admit for OOS. And it's a weird school, because the OOS students are generally way brighter than the instate students.

Have your son take a closer look at mechanical engineering programs. Most will have some an aerospace speciality for the higher level classes.

Thanks this is very helpful. I heard that thing about the instate vs OOS difference at UNC. Why is that such an issue at UNC in particular? I haven’t heard this at other publics.

Because UNC limits out of state enrollment to 18%. Other states are closer to 30 to even 50 percent. That leaves a lot of in state seats to fill (easier admit) and makes it nearly impossible to get into from out of state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter. Any of them is fine.

How did you come to that conclusion? UNC doesn't even have an engineering school