My son is considering this 3-2 engineering program.
Does anyone have first of second hand information about this program? We’ve already read all the pages on Case’s website that pertain to the program. Therefore, only interested in hearing from students in the program, relatives or close friends of those students, corporate recruiters or those familiar with recruiting perspectives, anyone else with first hand knowledge.
Focus: Chemical Engineering, Macro-molecular or Materials Science
How well managed?
Success rate - graduation rate?
Student rating?
Difficulty?
Outcomes?
Etc.
i completed it in electrical engineering, and I’m glad I did it. I liked the fact that I could obtain a good liberal arts education in addition to my engineering education. I know Case is trying to streamline the process and ensure it is user-friendly and works for the students enrolled. They are starting to focus on and promote the program more than they have in the past. Each department at Case has a 3/2 adviser. I would recommend you speak with him/her - within the first year at the liberal arts school and talk with the LAC adviser.
Success rate - graduation rate: everyone I know who entered the program, graduated. There is a very high graduation rate of enrollees (I’d speculate it’s near a 100% but don’t know for sure).
Student rating - I’m very glad I did it. Everyone I know who did it is happy with their decision.
Difficulty - I’m not sure what you’re asking. Difficulty of finishing in 2 years? Difficulty of the courses?
Outcomes - It piqued the interest of recruiters, especially for positions which are not purely technical (consulting, banking, etc).
Difficulty - Based, on number of courses required and rigor, were the 2 years you studied at Case more demanding than the traditional engineering program at that school? Thank you.
I don’t think recruiters care that much about 3/2 programs to be honest. Your student can get most of what he would in five years, in four years at Case Western and still get a very balanced liberal arts education and save money. Unless your son or daughter is very committed to the the other college for some reason, look at doing a four year degree at CWRU in chem E, materials science or polymer science instead of the 3/2 program. He or she can then save money and get a much needed masters degree in todays world. Materials science is very specialized field, so your son or daughter will need to choose: metallurgy OR ceramics OR polymers OR biomaterials OR semiconductors/electronic materials. I chose the later, semiconductors and it lead to a very good career in the semiconductor industry and then a career in patent law. so you can see why a masters may be needed, to learn more about the specialty once a student decides on one. CWRU offers a large selection of liberal arts courses and writing courses, and CIM on campus for music ensembles and lessons, so unless the liberal arts college offers some special degree that cannot be had at Case Western, look into what that gains your student. Now if the engineering part was at a school that had less humanities offerings, it may make sense to do a 3/2 program. Today’s engineering colleges are very strong in humanities. Case Western was a full blown liberal arts college (Western Reserve U) so there is no shortage of rigorous humanities options.
I agree with @Coloradomama about all of her points. Additionally, I’d like to bring up the silliness of completing the majority of your engineering degree in 2 years. It’s not healthy to be taking 5 engineering classes a semester. It’s a lot better for your sons health and grades to spread his humanities and engineering classes. Also, 5 years of tuition is a crazy amount of money. Your son can do what he wants to do in 4 years. Also, lots of engineers with those majors go to grad school which is potentially another huge cost. Unless you have a really good reason to do the program, I would recommend being a regular student.