My daughter’s friend at a LAC had no idea what engineering was until he started college as a physics major. Lots of kids have zero exposure to engineering in high school. Because that LAC had a 3/2 program, he was able to switch into it once he realized he wanted to be an engineer. But hard because he had to leave his friends after junior year and go to another college as a senior and super-senior. I think if he’d known more about engineering in high school he would have gone to a college where he could get an engineering degree in four years.
thank you all for the responses. lots to consider. his reason for Rollins is a few things…wants to row crew (D2), LD and might do better at a smaller school (Dyslexic), loves the setting and his favorite uncle is in town, wants to go out of state, wants a “neat” place to live, loves physics, but like someone so well put above, being in it to just get the credit and with a bunch of pre-meds gunning for the A’s, it might be a better setting, a five year path is fine, etc.
a tough selection criteria above, which doesn’t allow a lot of schools, actually it has come down to Rollins and Baylor University (got good money, close to home, club crew, lots of friends there, engineering is strong but not THE engineering school, which changes the flavor of those there, if that makes sense.
visiting again this week…thanks, will let you know, and thank you all so much for your kind and helpful responses.
However, all of these “fit” advantages of the “3” school are likely to be lost when the student transfers to the “2” school to complete the engineering degree. That may be one of the reasons that making that transfer is relatively uncommon (other reasons could be admission to and cost / financial aid at the “2” school).
It’s a far better choice to begin your studies at an engineering university because it gives you better options than a school with no engineering department.