I am a Junior in high school looking into 3-2 engineering programs. I would most likely complete a degree in economics at a liberl arts college and then hopefully transfer to either Caltech or Columbia to pursue a degree in computer science (I have found that many liberal arts colleges have 3-2 programs with these two universities). However, I am also interested in studying abroad for either a semester or possibly for a full year. Generally, is studying abroad even an option for students in 3-2 engineering programs because of the strict course requirements? If studying abroad is an option, would it be during my first three years at a liberal arts college or during my last two at either Columbia or Caltech.
Step 1 is to read other threads on 3-2 Engineering programs, Many of us have researched them, and for most students there seem to be fewer pros than cons.
@Hosley17, ditto what @colorado_mom said. On the surface they look awesome. In practice there are too many compromises. Look up old threads and take them to heart. The bottom line is that they sound better than they work in practice. Many who start 3/2s don’t ever finish them.
Study abroad requires a flexible major. It is often the case that the courses you study abroad only fit into the elective category as far as your degree is concerned. For STEM degrees, this often implies that study abroad delays your graduation by at least 1 semester. This means that you have now extended the program to 5.5 years.
Completion of the 3+2 program by transfer to the “2” school is uncertain. The “2” school may have highly competitive admission (e.g. Caltech), or may not offer as much financial aid to 3+2 students as other students (e.g. Columbia). In addition, the “3” school may limit what major you can take (often to a non-biology science), although some allow any major if you also complete the engineering prerequisites. Relatively few students intending to do 3+2 programs actually transfer to the “2” school. Note also that it involves an extra year of costs as well (5 instead of 4 years).
If you want to study abroad, consider a school like Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, which offers engineering degree programs and is relatively low cost by US standards.
DS is an ECE student, and he was able to do semester abroad. But it took a lot of planning ahead to make it work. At a lot of schools it is not possibe>
Take a look at Northeastern in Boston. They have a big emphasis on co-op program (5 years, with 3 6 month co-ops and equivalent of 8 semesters academics). They also encourage international experiences. It is possible to get humanities credits via short summer sessions held abroad. It’s also possible to do an international co-op in later years.
WPI has the best study abroad program that I’ve come across in an engineering program. They have ongoing engineering projects and relationships all around the world. It’s called the Global Projects Program. There’s a link below.
Look at Georgia Tech. They have their own campuses in France and Hong Kong (I think). There’s a summer aerospace program in Ireland. Lots of exchange programs.
The summer Oxford program is amazing. 6 weeks in Europe studying music and art then 6 weeks in residence at Oxford University.