<p>My son is trying to decide between</p>
<p>UMD
NC State
Lafayette
Clemson</p>
<p>He is interested in mechanical engineering, joining the formula SAE or BAHA racing clubs, playing club soccer.</p>
<p>Any input comparing these schools or about the racing clubs would be appreciated.</p>
<p>KSD</p>
<p>I don’t know too much about these schools, but i have heard great things about engineering at Lafayette.</p>
<p>Umd is great for engineering!!! any engineering! you name it!
i know some of the people that go to clemson are kind of weird…and clemson is a rural area…so i dont know if your child will like it there…</p>
<p>Am going to UMD in the fall, but my sister goes to Clemson. She LOVES it there. Great school spirit and really friendly students. Clemson has a great engineering school and they have great internships with BMW and Michelin, which are both in the area. I decided to go to UMD because of the Honors College and I wanted to try Aerospace Engineering, which is not one of Clemson’s strengths. Was accepted at Lehigh, so I do not have a great opinion of Lafayette (they are fierce rivals!). Good Luck!</p>
<p>I don’t know much about NC State (i.e. perhaps it has a strong engineering program), but overall that is the school with the least national recognition/prestige of the ones you listed.</p>
<p>Also, there are various differences between the SIZES of the universities listed. For humanities, I personally would prefer a smaller college/university, since humanities classes are much better when they are small, discussion-based seminars. However, for engineering, I believe large intro classes+smaller upper levels (around 30 people) is appropriate. Also, since engineering is a limited enrollment program at MD, the advising and other aspects of the college will feel more personal than those functions within larger/open enrollment programs at UMD.</p>
<p>Various differences between the LOCATION as well. I prefer UMD’s location to any of the others. The Baltimore-DC metro area is not only fabulous in terms of internship opportunities, but is just a great place to be if you are a student (in terms of being exposed to different people, cultures, activities, movements, etc.).</p>
<p>Finally, I think there is a difference in the FEEL of the universities. I am not super familiar with Clemson/Lafayette, but I believe they are a little bit “preppier” feeling than UMD. Or, maybe I’m confusing Lafayette with Lehigh ;). Asking your S again about which school he felt most comfortable at when he visited might help him decide.</p>
<p>I personally know people in club soccer and the racing thing where they build the cars and whatnot. I know they exist at MD and they’re easy to get involved with, but besides that I can’t say much more.</p>
<p>Lafayette!!!</p>