Engineering: Pitt or JMU

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the school matters to an employer, they are not going to hire someone from JMU or Pitt. For most employers, engineers are assumed to be competent because engineering programs are very rigorous (failing out large percentage of students) and have to comply with professional requirements.

JMU bills itself as a large liberal arts school. This was communicated to me and DD on a campus visit earlier this year. It is primarily a bachelors level university. Nothing wrong with that. I guess you could say that the engineering department at JMU is maybe a fledgling program that provides a well rounded engineering education that is closest to traditional mechanical engineering. Throw in some sustainability courses for good measure. Pitt is a PdD granting research university with a college of engineering with multiple departments. I suppose if one is interested in mechanical engineering then it could be a valid comparison. Otherwise Pitt would be the clear choice and yes employers know Pitt.

DP. Just wanted to comment re: the bolded. JMU offers plenty of graduate degrees.
https://www.jmu.edu/grad/programs/areas-of-study.shtml

Thank you. I didn't phrase that well at all. JMU does have a number of master's programs, but the number (and types) of programs combined with the relatively small percentage of the student body that is in graduate school, led to my poor wording. The main point is that JMU is a regional university vs. a university that is concerned with PhD level research (e.g., Pitt).

MY DC is considering JMU and it being primarily undergrad in several STEM areas had me concerned. We went and visited the campus and it was quite enlightening. Because they are only undergrad in engineering the undergrads have a LOT more opportunity for and access to funded research options. They are a general degree but if your student wants to focus on an area of study they have more flexibility and support to do so. Because the college is not fuding graduate students most of the grants are allocated to the undergrads for capstone or even funded summer internships and research. If you rchild is planning on graduate school, participating in, or even publishing research makdes for a very strong application. My DC is still deciding but after speaking with current students and staff it rose dramatically in my estimation.

[Anonymous]

My neighbors's son has friends who graduated from JMU with engineering degrees. He said they all got great jobs in the DC area right out of school.

[Anonymous]

We attended an Engineering Open house and was also concerned about the general degree. However, we got a sense there were a lot of opportunities for research and internship opportunities at JMU.

[Anonymous]

JMU is not strong in engineering. If you can afford, go with Pitt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:JMU is not strong in engineering. If you can afford, go with Pitt.

Engineering is on its way up at JMU. It’s a secret gem. And like another PP said- good internships.

[Anonymous]

Got the impression there is a lot of involvement and advantages to having a smaller department with more access to research and work opportunities. Just unsure how it will translate to good jobs in the DC area compared to other schools in the area.

[Anonymous]

I would pick JMU if your in VA.

[Anonymous]

JMU is a great school, not as well known for engineering.

[Anonymous]

JMU

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:JMU

+100

[Anonymous]

Both good schools but would go with your in state school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:JMU is a great school, not as well known for engineering.

In all honesty, JMU is not known for engineering at all. Engineering is not a single discipline…it is multiple disciplines, and universities typically have a school of engineering with departments for some mix of: Agricultural, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Aerospace, Mining, Biomedical, Systems (which can mean different things to different people), and now, Computer, etc. What JMU has for engineering is basically Mechanical with a little Civil (for sustainability). If that resonates with your college bound student, it could be a fine choice. If your student has their sights set on other than Mechanical, is undecided, or if they are prone to changing their minds, then JMU should not even be in the conversation…and that is not a knock.

[Anonymous]

I think they should be fine getting a general engineering degree from JMU.

[Anonymous]

For Pitt would there be loans involved for the extra $20,000/year? Or can you afford it?

Would GMU be an option if cost is a concern?

[Anonymous]

Pitt