<p>First of all I hope this thread finds all in good health.</p>
<p>So I got into South Dakota State University and also at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. My major in both is Electrical Engineering.</p>
<p>I'm searching for some tips and help from you people to decide which one to choose, the difference between the COA of the two schools is about $1000. So what should I do? Which one should I go with?</p>
<p>Further I need to reduce this COA as much as possible, i.e after my Sophomore year I would perhaps shift to housing with rent. Will this indeed reduce the burden on my parents? The housing and boarding cost is about $5800 in both the Schools.</p>
<p>Unfortunately I don’t think many of us here know much about either of those two schools. </p>
<p>If the only way you can decide is from their published material, here’s what I’d look for:</p>
<p>Actual courses you’d need to take – is one school more rigorous than the other for your major?
Each school must talk somewhere about its “atmosphere.” What do they have to say?
I wouldn’t worry about the decision of living on-campus versus off-campus yet. You have two years to go before you have to make that decision, and by then you’ll know a lot more about everything.</p>
<p>See if you can find out if students have a hard time getting the courses they need to take. Many state schools are suffering from budget problems, so that courses are crowded and over-enrolled. If you have to spend an extra semester because you couldn’t get into all your courses that would cost alot.</p>
<p>South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is in a much larger city (Rapid City) than South Dakota State University. Look at online job boards to get an idea about rent costs, part time job availability, etc.</p>
<p>All good suggestions. Also look at graduation & employment rates and internship & research opportunities. Sometimes off-campus housing looks more cost effective but may end up not such a good deal. Rent may not include certian things - electricity, internet access, parking… Some other things to take into account - transportation to school, food/meals, disconnected from other students.</p>
<p>Those SD room/board rates sound pretty good. Is that $5800 for a full year of dorm and food? </p>
<p>SD School of Mines is supposed to be a great school… if you are looking for a very technical school. If you changed your mind about engineering major, there would be not much else there. If you are sure you like engineering and don’t mind lack of humanities classes (and students), it would be a good place.</p>
<p>If you prefer a more diverse campus with students of various majors, the University would be better.</p>
<p>Oh, and if you’re loooking for ways to cut costs, I would look into being an RA. Yes, it is a bit competitive on some campuses, but you normally get your room and board taken care of
Just a thought</p>
<p>If you are international student, ask about restrictions on work. check on whether you can be a resident assistant or hold down a campus job. Your student visa comes with restrictions and you may not be able to earn as much as you think working while you go to school.</p>
<p>Buying used books, not traveling home for vacations/breaks, and being very careful with expenses are all good ways to reduce the COA. </p>
<p>It is also important to understand the 4 year graduation rate at the school – if you can’t graduate in 4 years, that is just additional expense.</p>
<p>“Fewer than half of the students who start at South Dakota’s colleges and universities make it to graduation within six years, and National American University, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and Black Hills State University have some of the worst graduation rates in the country, according to a report released in June.”</p>
<p>From a search of the internet, it looks like South Dakota State University has a graduation rate of 54% – but I couldn’t tell if that was within 4 years.</p>
<p>^ I don’t think the low grad rate at SD Mines has to do with class availability. It’s a rigorous tech school with considerably less rigorous admissions standards. There are also the usual social life issues associated with tech schools in general.</p>
<p>^^^ hsmom… Hmm…I have given it a thought. But I work hard… It should count I hope. Thank you for the link. I would give it a thought nevertheless. </p>
<p>@noimagination… “I don’t think the low grad rate at SD Mines has to do with class availability”…Could you please explain this one? I mean what’s the relation. Sorry for being so naive.</p>
<p>^^ I think this means that if the number of classes in a required course that are offered is insufficient to meet demand, you might not be able to stay on track for completing your courses in 4 years. For example, if you are unable to take a required course freshman year because it’s overenrolled (and the school doesn’t add another section) and if that class is a prerequisite to other classes you must take, you’ll be delayed a year in fitting all your classes in.</p>
Well, the primary reason one might be concerned about graduation rates is because of the possibility that the school does not offer enough classes and that it will therefore take one longer to graduate. I think the low grad rate at SD Mines is more likely explained by the social and academic requirements of a small technical institute.</p>
<p>The poster said she DOESN’T think class availability is a problem. I do not think class availability will be a problem, either. </p>
<p>Congratulations on getting into both of these schools. I think you are confident that you want to go into engineering and that you would appreciate being in a bigger city, so I’d put in a vote for South Dakota School of Mines. Both are good schools though. Is the School of Mines a little easier to get to, as well?</p>
<p>If you are a smart person and you study hard and you plan ahead so you know what classes you need each year, you will graduate on time. Some of the students admitted to the engineering program may not study hard enough, and some of the students may not have the aptitude for engineering. Some may drink too much alcohol, and some may waste too much time playing video games. If you keep studying hard, as I am sure you have been studying hard, you will be fine.</p>
<p>BTW which of these school have better facilities? Umm…I’m into swimming. Does all American Univs have swimming pools? " Thoroughly stupid thing to ask"…But I’m trying to make myself as clear as possible… :O</p>