Choice for Engineering?

[Anonymous]

I would say Boulder or Cal Poly (if he gets in) if he prefers to go west.

Virginia Tech or UMD if east coast. But I admit I am not a Florida fan and have no familiarity with OSU.

[Anonymous]

Cal Poly SLO would be fine for engineering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for the replies all, here is some quick info for those who asked:

Student is 3.9uw/4.8w/35ACT from MCPS. Is taking Physics C and Calc BC as a senior. His highest priority is to successfully manage his way through what is clearly a rigorous major at any school (Mech E). As of today in conversation with student:

Wisconsin - lower on his list, concern is the 3.2 Mech progression GPA. He does not want to risk it and combined with cold weather, not so excited.

Florida - did not have a great visit, they have tracking requirement, liked the weather, seemed heavy greek. Lower on the list.

Ohio State - medium on the list, also a re-apply program.

Colorado - definitely liked the outdoors vibe, and as a direct admit he just needs 2.0 and move on. Does not mean it is easier, but at least a lower threshold. Little concerned about party scene and what some friends have said is higher than expected drug culture. But he is definitely interested.

Virginia Tech (not Penn State sorry) - also has threhold but seems more manageable.

Maryland - has limited enrollment program.

The kid will do the work, he just doesn't want an axe over his head first year of college - Colorado seems to avoid that a bit.

He is on the wait list at Cal Poly, which seems cool but obviously means he would likely stay out there, tough for the parents.

And thanks to one of PP for the idea for the other thread, I did find it.

I'd go UMD or VT.

[Anonymous]

UMD would be the least fun

[Anonymous]

VT likes to fail kids out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for the replies all, here is some quick info for those who asked:

Student is 3.9uw/4.8w/35ACT from MCPS. Is taking Physics C and Calc BC as a senior. His highest priority is to successfully manage his way through what is clearly a rigorous major at any school (Mech E). As of today in conversation with student:

Wisconsin - lower on his list, concern is the 3.2 Mech progression GPA. He does not want to risk it and combined with cold weather, not so excited.

Florida - did not have a great visit, they have tracking requirement, liked the weather, seemed heavy greek. Lower on the list.

Ohio State - medium on the list, also a re-apply program.

Colorado - definitely liked the outdoors vibe, and as a direct admit he just needs 2.0 and move on. Does not mean it is easier, but at least a lower threshold. Little concerned about party scene and what some friends have said is higher than expected drug culture. But he is definitely interested.

Virginia Tech (not Penn State sorry) - also has threhold but seems more manageable.

Maryland - has limited enrollment program.

The kid will do the work, he just doesn't want an axe over his head first year of college - Colorado seems to avoid that a bit.

He is on the wait list at Cal Poly, which seems cool but obviously means he would likely stay out there, tough for the parents.

And thanks to one of PP for the idea for the other thread, I did find it.

Colorado and VT are fine choices. Let him pick between those. Colorado is a place where a lot of young outdoorsy types aspire to live. So he'll get a first-hand look.

I passed through Boulder on vacation about 10 years ago and picked up the student newspaper. It was full of weed advertisements. Pretty shocking to me since when I was in college only the occasional liquor ad would show up in the student paper. So, I guess I would recommend understanding how people socialize and where the straight-edge kids hang out. Maybe try a Reddit post to get clarity.

VT seems to be the home region choice and it's good.

I think your son is smart to prioritize not getting weeded out.

If you want different decision criteria, then research employment outcomes and major employers for all the schools.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like Colorado would be a good fit. It's a very good program and Boulder is definitely one of the better places to go to college. Everyone talks about weed because Colorado was the first to legalize. But I don't think UC Boulder is significantly different that other school anymore. And besides, stoners don't make it through first year engineering anyway, so I wouldn't worry about peer groups.

[Anonymous]

Wow. With a 3.9 UW gpa - would have expected better engineering schools such as UT Austin.


Anyways, VT - job scene especially is non-CS major such as Mechanical, is horrible. Its in the the middle of nowhere

Go to a place with max industry connections and assurance of desired major.

Thats Cal Poly and Ohio State ( big beneficiary of reshoring etc)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:VT likes to fail kids out

Could you kindly elaborate on this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. With a 3.9 UW gpa - would have expected better engineering schools such as UT Austin.


Anyways, VT - job scene especially is non-CS major such as Mechanical, is horrible. Its in the the middle of nowhere

Go to a place with max industry connections and assurance of desired major.

Thats Cal Poly and Ohio State ( big beneficiary of reshoring etc)

Being in the middle of nowhere means that the graduate engineering school is not diluted by a bunch of mid-career dunderheads that, by all rights, have no business being in a graduate program. Compare with UMD and GW, for example.

And I almost forgot to mention…graduates are, you know, free to move about the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:VT likes to fail kids out

Oh, dear. You again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. With a 3.9 UW gpa - would have expected better engineering schools such as UT Austin.


Anyways, VT - job scene especially is non-CS major such as Mechanical, is horrible. Its in the the middle of nowhere

Go to a place with max industry connections and assurance of desired major.

Thats Cal Poly and Ohio State ( big beneficiary of reshoring etc)

Being in the middle of nowhere means that the graduate engineering school is not diluted by a bunch of mid-career dunderheads that, by all rights, have no business being in a graduate program. Compare with UMD and GW, for example.

And I almost forgot to mention…graduates are, you know, free to move about the country.

+1
PP is the usual dope with a chip on his/her shoulder. VT has fantastic outcomes.

[Anonymous]

Let’s keep this on track!

UMD and Virginia Tech are pretty plugged in around DC area. Cal Poly more plugged in West Coast. Wisconsin Midwest mostly.

Where does the student think they might want to end up?

If east, might say Virginia Tech for a more traditional experience.

West would say Boulder or Cal Poly.

[Anonymous]

Colorado

[Anonymous]

1. Wisconsin
2. Penn State
3. Florida

(I’m not the Wisconsin booster. I’m from Michigan, but respect Wisconsin)