Thoughts on West Virginia University....

[Anonymous]

Someone mention easy to get in, but hard to get out in a previous thread. Why so?

We're in MD and DS who is a jr (AA btw) seems interested in checking the school out, especially since they have a wide range of engineering program.

Anyone have first hand experience or have a child that's there? How's the job prospect after graduating?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone mention easy to get in, but hard to get out in a previous thread. Why so?

We're in MD and DS who is a jr (AA btw) seems interested in checking the school out, especially since they have a wide range of engineering program.

Anyone have first hand experience or have a child that's there? How's the job prospect after graduating?

Thanks!

I went there 20 years ago. I really liked it. They don't coddle students there and there's not a ton of support; kids have to have their act together. The party scene can be intense, which coupled with less than strenuous admission standards leads to a lot of kids flunking out. The engineering program is very good, but a notch down from the surrounding state schools. I can't say about the employment situation right out; I went to a very good graduate program right after, so I never had to rely on my WVU degree alone. My gut feel though is that for most in-demand degrees kids won't have any issues getting jobs.

Like most big state schools you get back what you put into it. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much! I just came off of college confidential, and a few of the post on there concur with what you said. We're relatively close to UMCP, but he wants to go away from home, but still within a few hours drive.

[Anonymous]

If he wants to move away and if he has stats and money, you may want to try Penn State/UDel/Pitt rather than WV. WV is not as respected as others for engineering.

[Anonymous]

VTech is another good option - should be easier to get in than UMDCP or Penn State for Engineering

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he wants to move away and if he has stats and money, you may want to try Penn State/UDel/Pitt rather than WV. WV is not as respected as others for engineering.

He has the stats, but we don't have the big $ for college, and won't qualify for financial aid. Plus by then his younger brother will be entering 10th, and we'll also have his HS tuition to pay.

We did look at each one of those schools you mentioned and will probably still apply to them. He knows a few kids at Pitt.

[Anonymous]

Another school to consider is Case Western. They can be very generous with financial aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another school to consider is Case Western. They can be very generous with financial aid.

Actually we attended the presentation they gave a few weeks back in Bethesda, plus they're coming to his school this Friday. We also chatted with a couple of their reps when they were in DC for the Eng' convention back in April.

[Anonymous]

The kids I've known who attended in recent years were not at the top of their graduating classes, to say the least. They enjoyed their time at WVU; it is definitely a party school. The school definitely doesn't seem to have the same level of reputation as UMD, VT, or Penn State, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:VTech is another good option - should be easier to get in than UMDCP or Penn State for Engineering

Penn State is the easiest of the three to get into engineering as they do not have a higher bar than general admission. Engineering NOVA admission to VPI is extremely competitive. Same for in-state UM-CP.

[Anonymous]

For engineering, passing on UMDCP for those other schools really makes NO sense. No sense at all. I realize college decision is a personal/family decision but the issue of cost needs to be factored in to your decision making process. Unless OP's son has stats to compete with top 3-4% of applicant pool, OP will have to pay all or most of OOS costs. For most families, this will hurt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For engineering, passing on UMDCP for those other schools really makes NO sense. No sense at all. I realize college decision is a personal/family decision but the issue of cost needs to be factored in to your decision making process. Unless OP's son has stats to compete with top 3-4% of applicant pool, OP will have to pay all or most of OOS costs. For most families, this will hurt.

I agree.

[Anonymous]

party school in a very depressing town. few programs are really good but if you say you go to WVU people don't think of academics but party school.

[Anonymous]

The only kids out of state who should go to WVU are kids who can't get into other universities and for whose parents attending the school is not a financial stretch. The churn is very high. U. Md. and U. Del are stronger academically; Penn State has a better alumni network; and Pitt has good internship programs and is in a great city to attend school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:party school in a very depressing town. few programs are really good but if you say you go to WVU people don't think of academics but party school.

Thanks for all the replies.

The other things that he find attractive is that it's one of few schools that offer PE, and they have D1 Crew which is his next love. But I get what you all are saying about reputation.