Co-ops in Engineering

<p>We went to a Prospective Student information session in Aerospace Engineering and were a bit surprised to hear that one of the things "being worked on" was developing Co-op opportunities. I didn't get a chance to ask him if he was just referring to AE Co-op opportunities, or Engineering Co-ops in general. Does anyone here have a take on how developed Engineering Co-ops are at Illinois, and how do they work that with tuition and fees for the semester you'd actually be doing the co-op?</p>

<p>I’m not affiliated with UIUC, but I can say that I’ve hired UIUC engineering interns, and the system seems to be designed well and competently run. I’ve never had a problem with that system or students and have been happy with the results. I don’t know how developed their Co-Op system, though, as I have only hired interns.</p>

<p>As far as tuition - again, I don’t know specifics for UIUC, but at every school I’ve dealt with for Co-Ops, you pay no tuition the semester you’re co-oping. Some schools charge a small fee and technically enroll students in an “independent study” course, but none charge tuition. Most schools, though, all you to choose to pay certain fees (health services, housing, student rec, etc) if you’re interning in the same city as your university and you want to retain access to those services. </p>

<p>So, again, I can’t speak specifically in regards to UIUC, but that should be your expectation when you call and ask. Here’s more information: <a href=“http://wiki.engr.illinois.edu/display/coeecs/Internships+and+Co-ops[/url]”>http://wiki.engr.illinois.edu/display/coeecs/Internships+and+Co-ops&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Thanks G.P. I appreciate the link and information, but I find it interesting that someone not even affilliated with UIUC was the first to answer.</p>

<p>That tells you the closeness of GT and UIUC. I come over here sometimes to see what people are saying about my alma mater.</p>

<p>Opps. It’s the other threat people asked about GT/UIUC, not this one.</p>

<p>I didn’t do any co-ops at Illinois, but I have friends who did (I stuck with internships). As far as I remember, there was a fee for the semester(s) you were co-oping but I think it was on the order of several hundred dollars, which is paltry compared to the price of full tuition. I believe, like G.P. said, you have to enroll in a course in order for it to make sure you are still considered an active student at the university, but it isn’t very difficult and no one that I know ever had any problems.</p>

<p>I feel like if they are saying they are trying to develop their co-op program, that means that it sounds like they are going to try and push it a little harder as opposed to just internships, but you would have to ask someone directly involved to make sure.</p>