<p>so, here's the deal. My high school grades aren't all that great. I really like math and physics. I m a senior. My highest grades have always been in those two subjects but my other grades are average, not bad just average. Should i attend a community college for 1 or 2 semesters, maintain a high GPA and then transfer to a 4 year engineering school? Is that a good idea? or just hope that a 4yr collegee accepts me. Any advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>If you're sure you want to be an engineer, I think I'd say skip community college if you possibly can, and get into an engineering program.</p>
<p>Is money a big issue?</p>
<p>What schools have you applied to?</p>
<p>money's not really a problem. My parents can take care of that.
schools that i've applied for or going to apply:</p>
<p>Univeristy of texas at Arlington
Univeristy of texas at Dallas
Texas A&M</p>
<p>notice ididnt put UT austin. I know I'm not get in there. They mostly take top 10% students. Im barely in 25% of my senior graduating class.</p>
<p>I think you should still apply. Not thinking you will get in is not the same thing as getting rejected. Without knowing your stats, it's hard to say what your chances are. But you should be able to get into some 4 yr university in your state. Also, I would reconsider not applying to UT Austin. With a school that large, you never know.</p>
<p>I think i'll apply UT austin too. who know's i might get in!! But im strongly considering UT Arlington. Its near my home DFW. I know its not popular like other big engineering schools but i feel that in UT arlignton i can maintain a prety good GPA. The course from what i've heard isnt all that challenging compared to other engineering schools.</p>
<p>I havent excluded Community college yet either. The thing i dont understand do i ave to complete 2 years at community college? I was thinking about attending about 1 or 2 semesters in community college and then transferring to an engineering school. THat s only if nothing else works out.
But unlike other people even though my high scool GPA isnt all that great( Its only 3.0) I know i can survive in any engineering field(except chemical and Biomedical). I work extremely hard when i know i have to.</p>
<p>i would apply and see...i would actually suggest going to UT-Arl. and then transfer to UT-Austin</p>
<p>Try Tech, it's a nice college and Lubbock isn't bad at all.</p>
<p>Lubbock is pretty bad....it's so GREY...decent engineering, but the other stuff listed is the same. UTD has a ton of nice scholarships, but it really depends on what you want to study. Definitely apply to UT-Austin...you have nothing to lose. Top 25% means you can get into a lot of perfectly good schools.</p>
<p>Also: Dallas > Arlington. Although Austin > Dallas. But * >>> Lubbock.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>Yesterday 08:46 PM weenie If you're sure you want to be an engineer, I think I'd say skip community college if you possibly can, and get into an engineering program.</p> </blockquote>
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<p>Is money a big issue?</p>
<p>What schools have you applied to?>></p>
<p>What's your reasoning for skipping community college? I can't think of many good reasons. </p>
<p>For one, it's far more expensive at a university For two, many of those basic science and math classes would be taught in a very large class at a large university, and possibly by not even professors. You get a far more intimate learning environment at a junior college, plus it's somewhat of a buffer between H.S. and a big 4-year college. </p>
<p>I went browsing at a few Texas JUCOs just now, and I found an engineering A.A. degree that will get you into all the public Texas universities: <a href="http://www.swtjc.net/programs/academic/engineering.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.swtjc.net/programs/academic/engineering.html</a>.</p>
<p>Most Texas JUCOs have similar programs, if not identical. Your hometown for instance probably has a JUCO that has such a program. If I were you, I'd do the JUCO. The money saved is definitely worth it, and the educational environment is better too.</p>
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What's your reasoning for skipping community college? I can't think of many good reasons.
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<p>Well, I can think of a few. Probably first and foremost is that by going straight to university, you have secured yourself a spot at that university, so all you have to do to get an engineering degree is to just pass your classes. Granted, it's not easy to pass an engineering curricula, but it's not as hard as going to community college and then trying to transfer over, as you run the large risk of not getting admitted as a transfer. For example, if you go straight to university and do mediocre, i.e. get all C's and thus get a 2.0 GPA, you will still graduate. But if you go to community college and do mediocre, you won't be allowed to transfer to a decent university, or possibly not ANY university. </p>
<p>The other major advantage of going to a university as opposed to a CC is the networking. In the workforce, success is often times determined less by what you know than by * who * you know. At a university, you have a better chance of meeting a higher-quality group of students who will go on to higher positions and will therefore be more capable of helping you in your career. Personally, I think that networking is one of the most important opportunities that universities offer.</p>
<p>My understanding (and you might try private messaging Dr. Reynolds on here and asking him) is that many of the engineering curricula start right out with required courses. These are probably courses that could be tough to get transfer credit for. I'd just be worried that you'd be wasting time and money at community college taking stuff that either didn't transfer or wasn't applicable to your major.</p>
<p>Its seems like there are advanatages and disadvantages of going to community college. Even if i decide to go to a community college. Im not going to go southwest. thats like almost 400 miles from where i live.
Also What's ENGR 1201 and ENGR 1101. These classes arent offered in my area's community colleges.</p>
<p>Generally, if you go the CC route and intend to transfer, what you need to do is complete many of the same courses, in math, physics, chemistry, computer science, writing, and possibly some others as those that will be taken by freshman and sophomores in engineering at the college to which you intend to transfer. That is usually not difficult to do (at least from the viewpoint that CC's almost always offer those courses). Colleges generally prefer transfer from CC's after sophomore year although many also consider after first year. So going the CC route is usually a definite option.</p>
<p>As to whether you should go that route, that is ultimately your decision. You did not provide your test scores so we don't know where you stand in that area. However, your post seems to indicate your sense that you do not feel good enough for a 4 year college. Me thinks you may have been spending too much time looking at this site that is full of high achievers. Being at about top 25% and getting your highest grades in math or physics means you are a lot better than you might think. That kind of rank along with a decent test score can qualify you for about 80% of the colleges in the US. True, UT Austin would be a large reach but you are likely in the range for A&M and easily so for the others you list.</p>
<p>From my opinion and at my school, if you go to a community college it will put you behind, but also save you money. My school starts off with intro to engineering, programming, etc, in the first year. THey have a sequence of prereqs that put the time at the University at a minimum of 4 years; most peoplt take 5. I would go directly to a University if you could get in and have the money. Also, the teaching is different from school to school, and you'll learn right from the start what the school expects and their method. Transfering in is a bit tough.</p>
<p>I know kids that have transfered into my school after either a year or two of c.c. and they had a tough time adjusting to the coursework and were quite behind.</p>
<p>I think CC is a good option if you want to save some money. If you are from DFW, then CCCC might be a good option for you. I have several friends that went there first then transferred to 4-yr schools. UT's engineering program is going to be tough to get in, but it doesn't hurt to try. TAMU grads have great job prospects too.</p>
<p>Ballin - Definitely check out Collin County Community College (quad C). county. Quad C has automatic entrance programs (after two years) with four year universities such as Texas A&M, UT - Dallas, Texas Tech, SMU, and University of North Texas which you apply to as a high school senior. Go to their website and find out some more and how engineering might be part of the mix. If it looks interesting then schedule to talk to an admissions advisor at quad C about engineering at the four year univerisities you are interested in.</p>
<p>Ballin and others - Regarding earlier comments about Lubbock and Texas Tech, here is a quote from a CC poster, anxiousmom, who visited Tech with her son in September. In summary, they were impressed with the Tech campus and engineering; Lubbock is so-so (but IMO a heck of a lot better than Waco and College Station as a mid-size city to live in), </p>
<p>"We visited TTU in Lubbock, Texas with DS, who wants a full-college experience, including football, sports, nice campus, good academics.
We were not expecting to get that at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, but were very pleasantly surprised. Although the surrounding town is not much to look at, the campus was lovely, green and lush and well laid-out. Sculptures dotted the campus, along with beautiful fountains, and lovely buildings. We took a tour with a very enthusiastic student volunteer, who showed us around in the 100 degree heat. Standout buildings included the new Student Center - with a internal pedestrian corridor w/little shops on each side, including a computer repair, Barnes and Noble, bank, wireless phone, computer sales, quick restuarants, and theater, numerous nooks and areas for studying, a wonderful Rec Center - with the now obligatory climbing wall, inside track, pool, raquetball, etc., and library, built like a stack of books turned on end, with a lovely cool lobby with fountain and casual seating areas.
Admissions Dept. was kind enough to call over to the Engineering department, and, even though it was "new student orientation", they managed schedule us a visit with the engineering advisor. He was extremely enthusiastic, and spent almost an hour with us, showing us the various student labs, and discussing all the cool co-op, research and internship programs available to students. We were also able to meet with an equally enthusiastic Honors college advisor, who touted the benefits of the program. (Priority registration, 1-2 smaller classes per semester, special advising, research ops, special study-abroad, honors dorm, etc.) My son was most excited about some of the non-academic things.. (The student ID serves as free ticket to all football, basketball, etc. games!) Honors dorms include ensuite bathroom, and shared living area between 2 bedrooms - and are centrally located on campus. Tech has also built upperclassman apartments, and some that are available to freshman, also.
Scholarships are good - for NMS and non-NMS alike. It is rumored that there will be changes to the scholarship program in October, so we will be keeping out eyes on that. All in all, a nice alternative to our flagship state school (UT Austin), and other big rival (A & M - which I did not like at all!!!!!)."</p>
<p>As stated earlier, you'll be behind if you transfer. I know a few transfer students and they were forced to take summer school just to stay on track for graduation.</p>