<p>I am trying to make my college decision and am having a difficult time with commitment. I am between Colorado School of Mines, University of South FL, and University of Maine Orono. I am an aspiring Chemical Engineer with a possible interest in Environmental Sciences. If anyone has decided on these schools, or has any information on which one is best, I'd love to hear it. I have scholarships from each school (slightly more from USF and UM than CSM) if that matters. </p>
<p>Is your list based on specific criteria? What other options do you have? Are you international? Why (other than CSM) are those your options? </p>
<p>I’m from FL and don’t really want a huge school such as UF, FSU, and UCF. I have family in Maine and UMO has a very good ChemE program from what I’ve heard. As for USF, it is instate for me which is much cheaper, but I’m not really sure about their engineering because they are a relatively newer school. I’ve heard CSM is very cutthroat, which may be a false rumor, but I don’t know much else about their program within ChemE</p>
<p>CSM may be the strongest STEM overall of your options, but a look at the Ch-E faculty and research priorities at USF seem to indicate strength there as well. CSM engineering is probably better known nationally, especially regarding applied environmental research. I think they have a connection to one of the large federally funded fuel cell projects. No STEM school is in actuality ‘laid back,’ but I don’t have the impression that CSM is cutthroat. The students are too engaged at the ‘Free Beer Day’ every week at the nearby Coors Brewery to be cutthroat. LOL. Seriously though, CSM is pricey for non-Colorado residents. Does their scholarship offer essentially match the affordability of USF?</p>