<p>My son has been accepted to aero engr. We are out of state. He received no scholarship. He was told that he should apply for in-state tuition after 1 year. How hard or easy is that? What helpful hints can you provide?</p>
<p>He was accepted to RPI aero engr program as well. He wants to be involved in orbital structures like habitats or satellites for Mars. He envisions himself as an inventor. Will CalPoly or RPI be a better fit for him? I believe he wants to work for NASA.</p>
<p>tia</p>
<p>If your son is interested in something as specific as that, he would probably work-on/research that topic while doing his Master's thesis. He should look at Master's programs at big engineering schools that focus on their master's programs (like MIT or CalTech), moreso than their undergrad. Even though both MIT and CalTech have superb undergraduate programs, you should look between RPI and Cal Poly, assuming this is the one in San Luis Obispo, and see which one focuses more on Undergraduate programs.</p>
<p>As for working for NASA, Cal Poly is closer in proximity to two NASA facilities (JPL and Ames). So, those two facilities most likely have a very strong affiliation with any of the Engineering schools in California. I know a lot of Cal Poly's Aero/Astro students manage to get summer internships with those facilities, and there are some on-site design-based research programs at Ames run by Cal Poly.</p>
<p>I hope I helped you and your son work out the confusion.</p>
<p>Cal Poly is very good for Aero Eng. Lockheed, Northrop, Boeing, Air Force, JPL all get people from Poly. It's a true Aero program that is separates from Mechanical in the middle of the 2nd year.</p>