<p>My junior son is a good all-around student -- favorite classes this yr are AP English, AP History and regular Physics. Will take a full plate next year (AP Calc, AP Physics, etc., plus wants to try AP Econ). He really does not want to commit at this point -- and maybe not even by this time next year -- to whether he wants to pursue engineering. He's got an analytical bent, and also a current events- type bent -- I could see him doing Econ or Law, for example, as well as possibly engineering. He doesn't have a strong vocational calling in any direction, nor a real design/building aptitude. But I could see him doing engineering as a means to a variety of careers.</p>
<p>So how to help him sort this out? I'd like advice on ways he could try to pinpoint his interests over the next 9 months. But also thoughts on colleges that would help him with this process and not force him to pick "school of eng" vs. "school of sci" vs. "liberal arts" before he ever sees a college classroom.</p>
<p>What the scoop on getting a general "engineering" degree from a LAC? Or a physics undergrad degree or a "3-2" program? My husband and I went to RPI, so I''m not sure how effectively these generalists really progress into the field.</p>
<p>He's not going to get into places like Swarthmore or Ivies. He's probably a NM Semifinalist, but his grades are not absolutely top notch. (hovering at top 10% cutoff for his med-sized, public, midwestern HS). and he's not an aggressive EC guy. Loves debate, but his school team is very small and weak. His best hook is probably the fact that he's a good bagpiper -- hopefully that gets him a star next to his name at bagpipe tradition schools.</p>
<p>Thoughts? Oh yeah --he also wants to blow out of our small town to a big city -- or at least near a big city. Midwest, NE or Mid-Atl.</p>
<p>
[quote]
His best hook is probably the fact that he's a good bagpiper -- hopefully that gets him a star next to his name at bagpipe tradition schools.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I was going to recommend Carnegie Mellon before reading this, but I have to now. From what I remember, they have the only bagpiping major in the country and I'm sure they'd love to see another person that might want to take part in their bagpiping organization (they play at lots of big events such as football games, visiting weekends, graduation, and other whatnots).</p>
<p>They've also got an Engineering & Public Policy double major within the engineering school which isn't too difficult to obtain along with a normal engineering degree. One of my friends got a E&PP degree along with their Materials Science one and said it was pretty worthwhile.</p>
<p>My brother's an attorney, and he was telling my S who's pursuing and Economics degree before Law School ... that if you have the technical background, e.g. engineering, that's wonderful for law school. He says there's always a great need for those who want to do patent law, etc. and have that tech background.</p>
<p>Also Union College outside of Albany, NY. A friend has the same questions as your son: engineering comes easily to her but she still loves philosophy and psych. She's having a great time at Union. And the engineers who come out of Union do get jobs, even though it's a LAC.</p>
<p>At University of Rochester, engineers generally "declare" themselves to be engineers at the beginning, to ensure that they can get their prereqs in. However, they can take courses all over the map, and in fact are required to have 3 related courses (called "clusters") in humanities and social sciences as well as engineering. Moving out of engineering is quite easy, so even if he declares as an engineer, he's not stuck there if he doesn't like it.</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon is a great choice. When you apply, you apply to a "school". Engineering, computer science, business, etc. HOWEVER, you can apply to more than one school AND if you do, Carnegie Mellon will consider inviting you to an interdisciplinary program Additional</a> Programs
I believe you can also major/minor across school lines.</p>
<p>Engineering is one discipline where you usually need to start ticking off requirements in the freshman year.</p>
<p>I agree with the above posts. If your son is interested in engineering and other majors in a liberal core, you should definitely look into schools that allow students to study across undergrad schools lines.</p>
<p>I also recommend CMU as well as Vandy, even though we're in the SE. With both of these schools, I highly suggest a visit! and even an overnight stay.</p>
<p>I appreciate all the thoughtful replies. CMU and Macalester were on the list already, but this is great confirmation, and helpful on the details. Thanks!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Carnegie Mellon is a great choice. When you apply, you apply to a "school". Engineering, computer science, business, etc. HOWEVER, you can apply to more than one school AND if you do, Carnegie Mellon will consider inviting you to an interdisciplinary program
Additional Programs
I believe you can also major/minor across school lines.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Heh, yeah, my friend picked up a psychology double in addition to his materials science major in the last three semesters of being at the school. He had been taking psych classes as his "fun" subject for a few years, so the major kinda happened by accident when he realized he just needed five more to get a double instead of his minor.</p>
<p>The only requirement is if you double major at CMU and you're in engineering, the engineering school must be your "home" school.</p>
<p>the hi-tech companies look for people from ABET programs for engineering, and expect a degree in a particular field (ME, EE, etc). So I don't think the generalist programs are that great for jobs prospects in actual engineering.</p>
<p>As for 3-2 programs, they don't seem to work. After 3 years at a school a kid just needs 1 more for a degree. Or, they can leave the familiar surroundings and friends to spend 2 years in an unfamiliar environment. From what I've heard, most kids elect to stay.</p>
<p>This is a tricky problem and you have received the advice I would give. The best approach is always to apply to the school of engineering and switch later. It's much easier to switch out of it than into it. Also, some schools are more flexible than others. I have a few more schools to add: Rice University, USC, and University of Santa Clara. I think he would apply to the school of engineering for all of them, but I don't think it would be hard to change to the school of arts & sciences if he changes his mind. Lots of people did this at Rice when I was there. Also consider Villanova. If he is willing to go rural then Bucknell, Lehigh and Lafayette are good choices.</p>
<p>"As for 3-2 programs, they don't seem to work."</p>
<p>To be certain, students do find 3-2 programs difficult to commit to. On the other hand, I have never heard any negatives about the quality of training received when a commitment is completed.</p>
<p>The prospect of both an additional year of education and of re-locating to a new school is a practical disincentive. However it should be pointed out that the additional year results in an additional degree. Some might call this worthwhile. Moreover if a Mac 3-2 student executes the engineering portion of his/her curriculum at the U of MN, re-location might very well not be an issue as it might just be a matter if taking a different bus to school each day.</p>
<p>I will also agree that, if a student wants to retain maximum flexibility, going to a research U with few barriers between its engineering and liberal arts programs is a better alternative than a 3-2 program at an LAC. But if LAC's are inherently attractive, or if a research U insists on "tracking" a student early in their academic career, or if other factors (like wanting to play bagpipes) are an issue, a 3-2 program can represent a good option.</p>