<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am a future hopeful engineer!</p>
<p>My biggest question is, for this field, what would be the best undergraduate and graduate school for me to go to?</p>
<p>Right now I was thinking of going to the University of Utah for my general Ed and maybe my bachelors in physics or engineering. However I am wondering if it is better for me to go to a university such as Georgia tech, Stanford, Berkley, or other tech schools for all my schooling. Or to just go to one of these schools as my phd, or masters? </p>
<p>I am a junior in high school, and while I am fully expecting to pay for all my schooling, most colleges factor in your parents wages, and my dad doesn't make a ton. I'm just wondering which school is best for the price, assuming I get into them.</p>
<p>Literally any help would be fantastic I want as much information on this topic as possible.</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>Wyatt</p>
<p>There is no “best school” formula for everyone. Each school is unique, and each school fits a certain type of person. You’ll need to do some no kidding, hard research and find which school fits your: a) academic profile, b) personality, and c) career interests. And all three of these aspects are equally important. </p>
<p>Which schools offer the specific programs you are interested in (aero/astro engineering)? </p>
<p>Of those schools that offer these programs, which programs are well-regarded (not the school, but the program)? </p>
<p>Is the school accredited?</p>
<p>Do you prefer a smaller school vs large? </p>
<p>Do you prefer a school in an urban setting or rural/coast/mountain setting? </p>
<p>Do you prefer public or private?</p>
<p>These kinds of criteria are very important for choosing a school for undergraduate work. Try not to get wrapped up in the school rankings game. You need to be able to get a good education AND a good college experience. If you only get one or the other, you may end up doing poorly, which may negatively effect what you end up doing in your career.</p>
<p>That’s for undergraduate…</p>
<p>Graduate school is a little different. At the graduate level, school name and ranking matter more as the more recognizable schools get access to better research opportunities. </p>
<p>Based on what you’ve said, if U of U fits you, then go for it. Worry about grad school when that time comes. For now, focus on what’s first.</p>
<p>Well let me start by saying there is no “best” school to go to. There are only schools that are good for you personally. Choosing a school isn’t just about rankings; it is highly personal.</p>
<p>Also, just for the record, Berkeley and Stanford are not “tech schools”. To a certain extent, Georgia Tech isn’t even a tech school anymore. Tech school has a few very specific meanings, none of which Stanford or Berkeley fall into. A tech school generally either means a (usually) 2-year college focusing on technical trades or a 4-year university which focuses on technology-related courses of study (e.g. engineering).</p>
<p>In deciding a school, you have to think about where you want to look geographically, how big a school you want to go to (if you care), what sort of extracurricular life you want, the strength of the program, etc. You haven’t really mentioned any of that so it is hard to even begin to give you an idea of what to look for other than the fact that you want something cost effective.</p>
<p>You also need to think at least a little about your ultimate goal. It is, quite literally, impossible for you to know right now if you will want a Masters or especially PhD in the future, but if you think you may want to go down that route, it would be important to keep in mind that it is advantageous to go to a school that will offer you the opportunity to do undergraduate research. That usually excludes a lot of smaller schools. Of course, there are lots of people without research even from small liberal arts colleges who go to graduate school for engineering, but they are definitely at a disadvantage to those who already have some research experience and have letters of recommendation from faculty who can elaborate on that experience.</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t want to give anyone a bad first impression. I appreciate all the information!!! I am honestly lost about the whole field. Space intrigues me like no other, and I have a passion for science that goes above and beyond the normal level.</p>
<p>I am a fairly social person, but not too social, so as to act as some might say as popular. I would like a smaller class, because however few times I don’t understand a topic I really would like more one on one.</p>
<p>Honestly I would love to learn about the profession, to see if it is what I think it is. I see it as designing or helping to build aircraft, or propulsions, or weapons, or space flight, or even biomedical engineering stuff.</p>
<p>I would love any information, I put those schools out there because I had heard they are good schools. Also I have heard great things about the university of boulder, and I have heard they send some kids to NASA and other engineering places. It’s also close to Utah (home) and its not a million dollar a year ivy league. Price is a big thing, so I am looking for a school I might be able to find a scholarship for or a cheaper school, if that isn’t possible I will just work my tail off.</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>Wyatt</p>