3 plus 2 programs at LACs or Computer Science

[Anonymous]

how about WPI? can often get a BS/MS in 4-4.5 years with some AP credits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are LACs that have an engineering option, such as Smith College and Lehigh. You could also look at Washington Univ in St Louis. It’s a university but on the small side (7k undergrad). There are options but you’ll have to dig a bit. Strongly encourage visiting schools as well.

Lehigh is not a liberal arts college in any sense of the word. Where do you people come from???

[Anonymous]

These programs are a terrible idea, yet always recommended by liberal arts grads who don't know anything about STEM. Avoid. Avoid. Avoid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:how about WPI? can often get a BS/MS in 4-4.5 years with some AP credits.

This is totally different. The big consideration here is:
(1) Can you get an employer or grad school to pay for the MS instead of paying out of pocket? (Often the answer is yes.)

(2) Would the student rather move to a more prestigious school or department for their MS?

(3) Does the student actually want an MS in the same subject or would they want a graduate degree in a different specialty? (Hard to know before undergrad)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would avoid the 3+2 programs in favor of a LAC with engineering or computer science depending on her preference.
Students don't want to leave for their senior year so they usually end up opting out and if they don't you have to pay an extra year of tuition. They tend not to be too popular so they aren't the smoothest run programs either.

This. My niece just transferred out of one. SLAC in the NE that dangled the carrot of "guaranteed transfer to Columbia for Engineering as long as you have a 3.5." Yes, I was in the room with her when the professor who ran the program told us that. She enrolled in the SLAC only to find there were 50+ students competing for the 4-5 slots in the "guaranteed transfer." The tiny SLAC had very limited course offerings and even more limited clubs and opportunities. Niece transferred to a highly-ranked state school where she has so many more opportunities for STEM majors, clubs, and internships. I think these SLACs have these programs to attract more STEM students.

Another thing to consider is many, many students think they want engineering and then decide to switch majors. Then they're stuck at some tiny school that has limited offerings. We would NOT recommend one of these programs.

[Anonymous]

Another thing to consider is many, many students think they want engineering and then decide to switch majors. Then they're stuck at some tiny school that has limited offerings. We would NOT recommend one of these programs.

People who switch out of engineering generally go to liberal arts, and a SLAC is perfect for that...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Another thing to consider is many, many students think they want engineering and then decide to switch majors. Then they're stuck at some tiny school that has limited offerings. We would NOT recommend one of these programs.

People who switch out of engineering generally go to liberal arts, and a SLAC is perfect for that...

How do you come up with that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would avoid the 3+2 programs in favor of a LAC with engineering or computer science depending on her preference.
Students don't want to leave for their senior year so they usually end up opting out and if they don't you have to pay an extra year of tuition. They tend not to be too popular so they aren't the smoothest run programs either.

This. My niece just transferred out of one. SLAC in the NE that dangled the carrot of "guaranteed transfer to Columbia for Engineering as long as you have a 3.5." Yes, I was in the room with her when the professor who ran the program told us that. She enrolled in the SLAC only to find there were 50+ students competing for the 4-5 slots in the "guaranteed transfer." The tiny SLAC had very limited course offerings and even more limited clubs and opportunities. Niece transferred to a highly-ranked state school where she has so many more opportunities for STEM majors, clubs, and internships. I think these SLACs have these programs to attract more STEM students.

Another thing to consider is many, many students think they want engineering and then decide to switch majors. Then they're stuck at some tiny school that has limited offerings. We would NOT recommend one of these programs.

SLACs can be fantastic schools for STEM students outside of engineering--they have much lower drop out rates from STEM majors, robust programs and personalized attention. They won't offer the range of specialties that universities do, but that's not really that important at the B.S/B.A. level. The SLACs that offer their own engineering and CS majors often have really strong retention and career outcomes. But the 3-2 engineering programs in particular just tend to be too disruptive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would avoid the 3+2 programs in favor of a LAC with engineering or computer science depending on her preference.
Students don't want to leave for their senior year so they usually end up opting out and if they don't you have to pay an extra year of tuition. They tend not to be too popular so they aren't the smoothest run programs either.

This. My niece just transferred out of one. SLAC in the NE that dangled the carrot of "guaranteed transfer to Columbia for Engineering as long as you have a 3.5." Yes, I was in the room with her when the professor who ran the program told us that. She enrolled in the SLAC only to find there were 50+ students competing for the 4-5 slots in the "guaranteed transfer." The tiny SLAC had very limited course offerings and even more limited clubs and opportunities. Niece transferred to a highly-ranked state school where she has so many more opportunities for STEM majors, clubs, and internships. I think these SLACs have these programs to attract more STEM students.

Another thing to consider is many, many students think they want engineering and then decide to switch majors. Then they're stuck at some tiny school that has limited offerings. We would NOT recommend one of these programs.

YES - Most of the 3+2 programs we noticed when touring NE SLACS involved Columbia.

[Anonymous]

There used to be a lot of Post-Bacc and MS programs for
Expel with BAs in non-engineering fields. I would look into the options, prerequisites so she can plan ahead for PB or Master’s.

[Anonymous]

^ notcollege graduates lol 😆 not Expel

[Anonymous]

Major in Physics at a SLAC of your choice and then apply to engineering school as a post-Bacc

[Anonymous]

How about Lafayette College? They have engineering. Also, Bucknell?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a recruited athlete that majored in Engineering. We decided to rule out 3 +2 programs. It seemed like a waste of money to pay for the 5th year and it made more sense to just major in engineering at the start.

Was your athlete D1? My DD wants to major in engineering and is good enough for D1 (track) but is worried about how she will balance both. Some schools that were recruiting her flat our said, if you come here as an athlete you will need a different major.

[Anonymous]

It’s a good idea bc you get a masters and bachelors degree in 5 years.