Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 10:12     Subject: Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Are there any that are worthwhile? DC would like to go to a school less than 5000 undergrad, maybe even around 3000. His core classes are all top rigor, almost all As but UVA etc not possible due to GPA being around 4.15 and less world languages than UVA desires. His ECs are pretty much all sports. Unprepped SAT 1320, 680 in math last spring but he will take it again. Ideally D3 school where he can swim.


The score does not predict success in any engineering program in the T50. Smaller schools that are less selective that would be in range for his scores are not going to have good engineering outcomes. He would be better off at a less selective public that has ABET engineering where his scores are above average and he can do club swimming


What is ABET?
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 09:56     Subject: Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
Anonymous wrote:Are there any that are worthwhile? DC would like to go to a school less than 5000 undergrad, maybe even around 3000. His core classes are all top rigor, almost all As but UVA etc not possible due to GPA being around 4.15 and less world languages than UVA desires. His ECs are pretty much all sports. Unprepped SAT 1320, 680 in math last spring but he will take it again. Ideally D3 school where he can swim.


Those scores would make Rose Hulman a match for him. My kid went there for camp and it’s on his list for college choices. He really liked it.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 09:52     Subject: Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/best-small-colleges-for-engineering

He should really look at Union College. Good engineering school, with a real connection to General Electric. Small school. Athletic student body, and a D3 swim team that you can easily walk onto. And an very likely admit for your kid.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 09:52     Subject: Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
Anonymous wrote:Smaller colleges may lack research opportunities. R1 schools, whether you like it or now, have a lot of research activities ongoing.


The vast majority of engineering students get involved in zero research projects during their understudies. It just isn’t a thing for them. They will lose nothing going to a smaller school with ABET accredited engineering.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 09:47     Subject: Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
Anonymous wrote:Are there any that are worthwhile? DC would like to go to a school less than 5000 undergrad, maybe even around 3000. His core classes are all top rigor, almost all As but UVA etc not possible due to GPA being around 4.15 and less world languages than UVA desires. His ECs are pretty much all sports. Unprepped SAT 1320, 680 in math last spring but he will take it again. Ideally D3 school where he can swim.


The score does not predict success in any engineering program in the T50. Smaller schools that are less selective that would be in range for his scores are not going to have good engineering outcomes. He would be better off at a less selective public that has ABET engineering where his scores are above average and he can do club swimming
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 09:47     Subject: Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
Anonymous wrote:Smaller colleges may lack research opportunities. R1 schools, whether you like it or now, have a lot of research activities ongoing.


Smaller schools may have less research overall, but they often have more research opportunities per student. The reality is that a student is going to be involved in a handful of research projects whether the school has 20 or 100s.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 09:29     Subject: Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
Lafayette, U Dayton, Union, clarkson, Stevens, SLU, Marquette, U Denver, WPI, Rose Hulman
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 09:24     Subject: Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
Smaller colleges may lack research opportunities. R1 schools, whether you like it or now, have a lot of research activities ongoing.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 09:23     Subject: Re:Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
What about Olin College?
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 09:18     Subject: Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
Anonymous wrote:Are there any that are worthwhile? DC would like to go to a school less than 5000 undergrad, maybe even around 3000. His core classes are all top rigor, almost all As but UVA etc not possible due to GPA being around 4.15 and less world languages than UVA desires. His ECs are pretty much all sports. Unprepped SAT 1320, 680 in math last spring but he will take it again. Ideally D3 school where he can swim.


Lots of options. Other than the usual recommendation like Lehigh etc, look into medium sized tech schools.

Stevens Institute of Technology comes to mind.
Outstanding student outcomes.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 09:17     Subject: Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
Rose Hulman
RPI
WPI
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 09:16     Subject: Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
Anonymous wrote:Is this the same person/similar thread that was looking for engineering for their "soft" kid? Eng programs at smaller colleges (SLAC) or colleges upto 5000? Swarthmore + UPenn?


Guess you missed the 1320 SAT part.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 09:16     Subject: Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
Anonymous wrote:Is this the same person/similar thread that was looking for engineering for their "soft" kid? Eng programs at smaller colleges (SLAC) or colleges upto 5000? Swarthmore + UPenn?


These are super reach for OP. Unrealistic.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 09:14     Subject: Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
Is this the same person/similar thread that was looking for engineering for their "soft" kid? Eng programs at smaller colleges (SLAC) or colleges upto 5000? Swarthmore + UPenn?
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2025 09:11     Subject: Engineering programs at smaller schools, less selective
Are there any that are worthwhile? DC would like to go to a school less than 5000 undergrad, maybe even around 3000. His core classes are all top rigor, almost all As but UVA etc not possible due to GPA being around 4.15 and less world languages than UVA desires. His ECs are pretty much all sports. Unprepped SAT 1320, 680 in math last spring but he will take it again. Ideally D3 school where he can swim.