Help me find the right school fit with strong career or pre-professional pathways for engineering programs.

[Anonymous]

Hi DCUM

I’m helping my DC put together a college list. The student has a strong academic record, solid extracurriculars in sports (team captain, but not aiming to be recruited. It's a fun hobby for DC since age 5). We don’t qualify for financial aid and are focused on good fit rather than prestige. DC is looking for a rigorous engineering program with research opportunities and an innovative, ambitious peer group that’s passionate about building and creating.

DC is open to CE, EE, or ME, but is also hoping for some exposure to a diverse mix of students across different majors.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

A gpa, SAT and highest math level by 12th would be helpful. Otherwise you might as well just look up the top 50 engineering programs and pick the locations you like. Right now we don’t know if you’re a match for Michigan type schools or RPI types.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A gpa, SAT and highest math level by 12th would be helpful. Otherwise you might as well just look up the top 50 engineering programs and pick the locations you like. Right now we don’t know if you’re a match for Michigan type schools or RPI types.

Sure. Junior, GPA at 5%, SAT 1580 (1 take). Math by Calc 3 by 12th. Not legacy, ORM. No hook. Private school offers no AP.

[Anonymous]

Do they have a size or geographic preference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they have a size or geographic preference?

No strong preferences. DC enjoys making friends—especially if there are soccer-loving peers.

[Anonymous]

just google or look up best engineering school and their admit rates. For publics, makes sure you know their OOS admit rates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:just google or look up best engineering school and their admit rates. For publics, makes sure you know their OOS admit rates.

There are a few schools our counselor suggested, but I’m not sure if they’re a good fit since they seem small—Olin, Harvey Mudd, and Rose-Hulman. We’re also considering OxBridge, Imperial College London. DC wants to meet people beyond just engineering types.

[Anonymous]

Purdue, Washington state, uiuc, vtech

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Purdue, Washington state, uiuc, vtech

I heard a lot of good things about vtech.

[Anonymous]

Virginia Tech, Maryland or Purdue

[Anonymous]

Virginia Tech. My son graduated from Virginia Tech engineering. I was impressed by the career fair and recruiting. Also feel that the program was more applied than what my daughter saw in Cornell engineering (which leaned theoretical).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Virginia Tech. My son graduated from Virginia Tech engineering. I was impressed by the career fair and recruiting. Also feel that the program was more applied than what my daughter saw in Cornell engineering (which leaned theoretical).

Thanks for the feedback! How’s the work–life balance? My son plays soccer with friends every day and is hoping for a balanced environment where people study hard but also enjoy healthy activities.

[Anonymous]

Virginia Tech. My son graduated from Virginia Tech engineering. I was impressed by the career fair and recruiting. Also feel that the program was more applied than what my daughter saw in Cornell engineering (which leaned theoretical).

Thanks for the feedback! How’s the work–life balance? My son plays soccer with friends every day and is hoping for a balanced environment where people study hard but also enjoy healthy activities.
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My son found that engineering at Virginia Tech was a lot of work. I think that is true everywhere for engineering. However, he had time for friends and for a design team outside of class. There are other majors your son could pick that would be less work than engineering if that is a concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:just google or look up best engineering school and their admit rates. For publics, makes sure you know their OOS admit rates.

There are a few schools our counselor suggested, but I’m not sure if they’re a good fit since they seem small—Olin, Harvey Mudd, and Rose-Hulman. We’re also considering OxBridge, Imperial College London. DC wants to meet people beyond just engineering types.

Since UK schools are on your list, maybe also look at Bristol and Edinburgh.

Imperial is the MIT of the UK, but be mindful that housing in London is pricey and university housing usually is not available after the freshman year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virginia Tech. My son graduated from Virginia Tech engineering. I was impressed by the career fair and recruiting. Also feel that the program was more applied than what my daughter saw in Cornell engineering (which leaned theoretical).

Thanks for the feedback! How’s the work–life balance? My son plays soccer with friends every day and is hoping for a balanced environment where people study hard but also enjoy healthy activities.

VT engineering, like many other engineering programs, is a grind.

This aspect might be why R-H and Mudd were among the suggestions you received. They have better balance than most engineering programs and a more supportive environment than most.