Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

TheSpanishDoctor wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

TheSpanishDoctor wrote:DS got into engineering. 4.4 weighted, ACT 35. He got into 7 other public engineering programs. NC State is not in contention for him, and I understand why. I wish I'd have a reason to go back to NC frequently though.

Why? I don’t understand.

We're in Virginia now, and he got into VT and UVA. He also got into Purdue, UIUC, UMD, Pitt and Penn St. His ranking is Purdue, VT and UVA. Mine is UVA, Purdue, VT.

Neither of us have considered NC State based on his other options. Having lived and studied in NC, I know about the Research Triangle Park, but I think the connections the VA schools have with government and aerospace would have to be better than the ones at NC State. I live by Dulles and see evidence of the job opportunities for my son every day. The Purdue connection with aerospace and the automotive industry are obviously very strong. We have never seriously considered Pitt, Penn State or NC State based on price and opportunities. The PA schools would be 50K+ for us at a minimum.

This makes sense for engineering. For Tech, I think NC State has the edge. However, between UVA and VT, I think your son is right. UVA's program is more theoretical, and VT's is more practical. Just ask a few engineering firms what they prefer. As a mom, I can see where you're coming from. I would be thinking about the possibility that he might change his mind about engineering.

I think NC State has the edge because of its robust co-op program (NCSU and GT have the best ones in the country). You should look into it. The participating companies are all over the country, not just local. My son did an AE co-op in Houston and continued on after graduating. Your son should look it before writing it off.

The first college that mentioned co-ops to us was Purdue, which I had never heard of as a humanities person I suppose. I looked up some rankings and saw that Purdue is in the top 10 nationwide for co-ops. Purdue is still very strong in the running for us because of their co-ops, internships and the many scholarship opportunities for continuing engineering students. Their price for us would be a few thousand more than what VT would be based on the NPC. It's not too far behind in engineering rankings compared to UIUC, which might be too much for us.

VT and NC State would be a wash for us financially. UVA would be the most affordable based on their NPC and recent announcement of expanded funding this past December. However, I met with a career development counselor at UVA who sent me a spreadsheet of outcomes for 2023 grads. It was quite impressive. I'll see if my son would be willing to learn more about NC State. He was concerned about their ranking (30) and UVA's (37) on US News' undergraduate engineering page. I know people say it's not that important, but our friend in aerospace (working at THE Aerospace company - real name lol) mentioned having hired a bunch of Purdue, Tech and UIUC folks over the years. The Aerospace Company was on the spreadsheet the UVA advisor sent me, but my friend wasn't aware of any UVA hires. I'm not sure he mentioned State, but maybe it was because we didn't mention it either.

The boy doesn't know anything about football (despite being in marching band 4 years), so he won't care that the stadium is so far away. In March, I decided to quiz him on how many players are on court or on the field for each side in basketball and football. He got both answers wrong :/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk to people in NC.

It is not as well regarded there for top STEM. For Chem, Bio, math , UNCCH is much better. For Engineering, as UNC does not really have it, NCstate is better. However, the top engineering talent in NC HSs usually leave the state and go to T20 unis /GaTech / Mich, and if they have any amount of financial need, they usually pay same or LESS than instate at NC state, for a much better education.

Try again.

NC State has a fabulous Eng campus and program and internships and job access. I would not send a kid for Math either to UNC absolutely not. Yes UNC for Bio and Chem if going to medical school not engineering based.

And no top talent does not flee the state ridiculous. Why because NC students are not well regarded at other top schools. NC has a huge homeschool and religious private population they are not going to top schools out of state. Charlotte Publics possibly but that is it. Wake County schools are atrocious.

NC has a great public college system the cost for instate can not be beat. Most people with a brain who live there know this.

NC State's campus sucks with the football stadium a car ride away, food sucks as well. However engineering and STEM way better at State than UNC. Intermural programs are fabulous at State if a student likes that. Lot's of students participate in Take 8 at State which is a program that a student takes 8 activity courses while being there they get a water bottle & T shirt LOL. It's very fun. Purpose is to keep students minds & bodies well. Decrease stress.

NC State also has a fabulous Textile school with a Master's program that is amazing. One of mine did undergraduate at NC State Electrical Engineering then did a Masters in Textiles they are now a CTO at a start up in Colorado a job they got directly from their experience and internships through NC State.

Would I recommend state to an OOS student for anything but Engineering no. And it can be slightly harder to make friends as student body is only about 12% OOS. Most kids come from the Charlotte area.

We lived in Raliegh for years.

Are you saying the campus sucks because the football stadium is a car ride away...or for other reasons?

My kid played a baseball tournament at NC State (baseball field is nice and right on campus) and I really enjoyed the campus and the area of Raleigh. Not sure why folks say the campus sucks.

The Wake Forest football stadium is a car ride away...the UCLA stadium is a pretty big car ride away...I still think those are nice campuses.

Anonymous wrote:Talk to people in NC.

It is not as well regarded there for top STEM. For Chem, Bio, math , UNCCH is much better. For Engineering, as UNC does not really have it, NCstate is better. However, the top engineering talent in NC HSs usually leave the state and go to T20 unis /GaTech / Mich, and if they have any amount of financial need, they usually pay same or LESS than instate at NC state, for a much better education.

Try again.

NC State has a fabulous Eng campus and program and internships and job access. I would not send a kid for Math either to UNC absolutely not. Yes UNC for Bio and Chem if going to medical school not engineering based.

And no top talent does not flee the state ridiculous. Why because NC students are not well regarded at other top schools. NC has a huge homeschool and religious private population they are not going to top schools out of state. Charlotte Publics possibly but that is it. Wake County schools are atrocious.

NC has a great public college system the cost for instate can not be beat. Most people with a brain who live there know this.

NC State's campus sucks with the football stadium a car ride away, food sucks as well. However engineering and STEM way better at State than UNC. Intermural programs are fabulous at State if a student likes that. Lot's of students participate in Take 8 at State which is a program that a student takes 8 activity courses while being there they get a water bottle & T shirt LOL. It's very fun. Purpose is to keep students minds & bodies well. Decrease stress.

NC State also has a fabulous Textile school with a Master's program that is amazing. One of mine did undergraduate at NC State Electrical Engineering then did a Masters in Textiles they are now a CTO at a start up in Colorado a job they got directly from their experience and internships through NC State.

Would I recommend state to an OOS student for anything but Engineering no. And it can be slightly harder to make friends as student body is only about 12% OOS. Most kids come from the Charlotte area.

We lived in Raliegh for years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

TheSpanishDoctor wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

TheSpanishDoctor wrote:DS got into engineering. 4.4 weighted, ACT 35. He got into 7 other public engineering programs. NC State is not in contention for him, and I understand why. I wish I'd have a reason to go back to NC frequently though.

Why? I don’t understand.

We're in Virginia now, and he got into VT and UVA. He also got into Purdue, UIUC, UMD, Pitt and Penn St. His ranking is Purdue, VT and UVA. Mine is UVA, Purdue, VT.

Neither of us have considered NC State based on his other options. Having lived and studied in NC, I know about the Research Triangle Park, but I think the connections the VA schools have with government and aerospace would have to be better than the ones at NC State. I live by Dulles and see evidence of the job opportunities for my son every day. The Purdue connection with aerospace and the automotive industry are obviously very strong. We have never seriously considered Pitt, Penn State or NC State based on price and opportunities. The PA schools would be 50K+ for us at a minimum.

This makes sense for engineering. For tech, I think NC State has the edge. However, between UVA and VT, I think your son is right. UVA's program is more theoretical, and VT's is more practical. Just ask a few engineering firms what they prefer. As a mom, I can see where you're coming from. I would be thinking about the possibility that he might change his mind about engineering.

I think NC State has the edge because of its robust co-op program (NCSU and GT have the best ones in the country). You should look into it. The participating companies are all over the country, not just local. My son did an AE co-op in Houston and continued on after graduating. Your son should look it before writing it off.

Yes, the co-op program is excellent! It really made my transition into the working world easy and seamless.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

TheSpanishDoctor wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

TheSpanishDoctor wrote:DS got into engineering. 4.4 weighted, ACT 35. He got into 7 other public engineering programs. NC State is not in contention for him, and I understand why. I wish I'd have a reason to go back to NC frequently though.

Why? I don’t understand.

We're in Virginia now, and he got into VT and UVA. He also got into Purdue, UIUC, UMD, Pitt and Penn St. His ranking is Purdue, VT and UVA. Mine is UVA, Purdue, VT.

Neither of us have considered NC State based on his other options. Having lived and studied in NC, I know about the Research Triangle Park, but I think the connections the VA schools have with government and aerospace would have to be better than the ones at NC State. I live by Dulles and see evidence of the job opportunities for my son every day. The Purdue connection with aerospace and the automotive industry are obviously very strong. We have never seriously considered Pitt, Penn State or NC State based on price and opportunities. The PA schools would be 50K+ for us at a minimum.

This makes sense for engineering. For tech, I think NC State has the edge. However, between UVA and VT, I think your son is right. UVA's program is more theoretical, and VT's is more practical. Just ask a few engineering firms what they prefer. As a mom, I can see where you're coming from. I would be thinking about the possibility that he might change his mind about engineering.

I think NC State has the edge because of its robust co-op program (NCSU and GT have the best ones in the country). You should look into it. The participating companies are all over the country, not just local. My son did an AE co-op in Houston and continued on after graduating. Your son should look it before writing it off.

DP. VT and NC State outcomes will be the same, especially for engineering. Let the kid choose the one they like more as one is rural and the other is in a city.

Anonymous wrote:

TheSpanishDoctor wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

TheSpanishDoctor wrote:DS got into engineering. 4.4 weighted, ACT 35. He got into 7 other public engineering programs. NC State is not in contention for him, and I understand why. I wish I'd have a reason to go back to NC frequently though.

Why? I don’t understand.

We're in Virginia now, and he got into VT and UVA. He also got into Purdue, UIUC, UMD, Pitt and Penn St. His ranking is Purdue, VT and UVA. Mine is UVA, Purdue, VT.

Neither of us have considered NC State based on his other options. Having lived and studied in NC, I know about the Research Triangle Park, but I think the connections the VA schools have with government and aerospace would have to be better than the ones at NC State. I live by Dulles and see evidence of the job opportunities for my son every day. The Purdue connection with aerospace and the automotive industry are obviously very strong. We have never seriously considered Pitt, Penn State or NC State based on price and opportunities. The PA schools would be 50K+ for us at a minimum.

This makes sense for engineering. For tech, I think NC State has the edge. However, between UVA and VT, I think your son is right. UVA's program is more theoretical, and VT's is more practical. Just ask a few engineering firms what they prefer. As a mom, I can see where you're coming from. I would be thinking about the possibility that he might change his mind about engineering.

I think NC State has the edge because of its robust co-op program (NCSU and GT have the best ones in the country). You should look into it. The participating companies are all over the country, not just local. My son did an AE co-op in Houston and continued on after graduating. Your son should look it before writing it off.

Anonymous wrote:

TheSpanishDoctor wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

TheSpanishDoctor wrote:DS got into engineering. 4.4 weighted, ACT 35. He got into 7 other public engineering programs. NC State is not in contention for him, and I understand why. I wish I'd have a reason to go back to NC frequently though.

Why? I don’t understand.

We're in Virginia now, and he got into VT and UVA. He also got into Purdue, UIUC, UMD, Pitt and Penn St. His ranking is Purdue, VT and UVA. Mine is UVA, Purdue, VT.

Neither of us have considered NC State based on his other options. Having lived and studied in NC, I know about the Research Triangle Park, but I think the connections the VA schools have with government and aerospace would have to be better than the ones at NC State. I live by Dulles and see evidence of the job opportunities for my son every day. The Purdue connection with aerospace and the automotive industry are obviously very strong. We have never seriously considered Pitt, Penn State or NC State based on price and opportunities. The PA schools would be 50K+ for us at a minimum.

This makes sense for engineering. For tech, I think NC State has the edge. However, between UVA and VT, I think your son is right. UVA's program is more theoretical, and VT's is more practical. Just ask a few engineering firms what they prefer. As a mom, I can see where you're coming from. I would be thinking about the possibility that he might change his mind about engineering.

This. For engineering, a college really only matters for the first (maybe second) job. There's more of a ramp up period for a new hire coming out of a theoretical program. Plus, there's more of a VT engineering alumni network in our area.

TheSpanishDoctor wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

TheSpanishDoctor wrote:DS got into engineering. 4.4 weighted, ACT 35. He got into 7 other public engineering programs. NC State is not in contention for him, and I understand why. I wish I'd have a reason to go back to NC frequently though.

Why? I don’t understand.

We're in Virginia now, and he got into VT and UVA. He also got into Purdue, UIUC, UMD, Pitt and Penn St. His ranking is Purdue, VT and UVA. Mine is UVA, Purdue, VT.

Neither of us have considered NC State based on his other options. Having lived and studied in NC, I know about the Research Triangle Park, but I think the connections the VA schools have with government and aerospace would have to be better than the ones at NC State. I live by Dulles and see evidence of the job opportunities for my son every day. The Purdue connection with aerospace and the automotive industry are obviously very strong. We have never seriously considered Pitt, Penn State or NC State based on price and opportunities. The PA schools would be 50K+ for us at a minimum.

This makes sense for engineering. For tech, I think NC State has the edge. However, between UVA and VT, I think your son is right. UVA's program is more theoretical, and VT's is more practical. Just ask a few engineering firms what they prefer. As a mom, I can see where you're coming from. I would be thinking about the possibility that he might change his mind about engineering.

Anonymous wrote:

TheSpanishDoctor wrote:DS got into engineering. 4.4 weighted, ACT 35. He got into 7 other public engineering programs. NC State is not in contention for him, and I understand why. I wish I'd have a reason to go back to NC frequently though.

Why? I don’t understand.

We're in Virginia now, and he got into VT and UVA. He also got into Purdue, UIUC, UMD, Pitt and Penn St. His ranking is Purdue, VT and UVA. Mine is UVA, Purdue, VT.

Neither of us have considered NC State based on his other options. Having lived and studied in NC, I know about the Research Triangle Park, but I think the connections the VA schools have with government and aerospace would have to be better than the ones at NC State. I live by Dulles and see evidence of the job opportunities for my son every day. The Purdue connection with aerospace and the automotive industry are obviously very strong. We have never seriously considered Pitt, Penn State or NC State based on price and opportunities. The PA schools would be 50K+ for us at a minimum.

TheSpanishDoctor wrote:DS got into engineering. 4.4 weighted, ACT 35. He got into 7 other public engineering programs. NC State is not in contention for him, and I understand why. I wish I'd have a reason to go back to NC frequently though.

Why? I don’t understand.

DS got into engineering. 4.4 weighted, ACT 35. He got into 7 other public engineering programs. NC State is not in contention for him, and I understand why. I wish I'd have a reason to go back to NC frequently though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is the campus? We'll be visiting this summer with our son.

Raleigh is a great city. The campus is average at best. Not surprising people wanting a land grant school look at Clemson and Auburn. For a nearby flagship U South Carolina has a nicer campus than NC State.

Curious why you think the campus is average. I really liked the heart of campus which starts at the bell tower near the traffic circle.

I actually liked the campus (and the area in Raleigh right by it) much more than Clemson (which was fine…but wasn’t wowed).

Never been to Auburn.

Agree Clemson is overrated. The bell tower area at NC State seems nice, it just seemed like their quad lacked compared to the lawn at UVA and the horseshoe at U South Carolina.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is the campus? We'll be visiting this summer with our son.

Raleigh is a great city. The campus is average at best. Not surprising people wanting a land grant school look at Clemson and Auburn. For a nearby flagship U South Carolina has a nicer campus than NC State.

Curious why you think the campus is average. I really liked the heart of campus which starts at the bell tower near the traffic circle.

I actually liked the campus (and the area in Raleigh right by it) much more than Clemson (which was fine…but wasn’t wowed).

Never been to Auburn.

Anonymous wrote:How is the campus? We'll be visiting this summer with our son.

Raleigh is a great city. The campus is average at best. Not surprising people wanting a land grant school look at Clemson and Auburn. For a nearby flagship U South Carolina has a nicer campus than NC State.

How is the campus? We'll be visiting this summer with our son.