<p>So far I've been accepted into 3 colleges: Allegheny College, Univ of Pittsburgh, and Rose-Hulman. I'm still waiting on decisions from Carnegie Mellon, Bucknell University, Penn State - UP, University of Rochester, RIT, NYU, and Purdue.</p>
<p>I feel kind of relieved that I have 3 schools under my belt, but the problem is that I want to do engineering really bad. The thing is that Allegheny offers engineering as a 3-2 program. So i'd go there for 3 years then have to transfer out, which might be more of a hassle than it should be. For Univ of Pittsburgh, they accepted on the basis that I come in undeclared major into their arts and sciences school and then sophomore year I can transfer into engineering. Now Rose-Hulman, I saw the excellent rankings it received from US News so I decided, what the heck, I'll go and apply. I know only little about the school. </p>
<p>I really want to get into CMU, but if I do it won't be for engineering because I got rejected from their Technology school. I did apply to their business school, humanities school, and their information systems school. What is really hurting me is basically my SAT scores, which sucks. So how would some of you feel in my situation? Would you still consider CMU, and try to get into it, then maybe transfer into another school within the campus sophomore year...It's upsetting because I had my heart set on CMU, and I"m even forcing myself to take the ACT this saturday and have it sent to them, just to see if I can do well on it. It most likely won't make any difference, but if they want good test scores, then I'll go over and beyond to try and get where they should be. It's probably too late now but oh well. </p>
<p>What school might you think I should consider? I want a school with a good reputation, and either located in the city or a suburb. Size isn't much of an issue either.</p>
<p>Engineering majors typically go to either private engineering colleges or state universities. The prestige of your college doesn't mean that much in the engineering field. The two big names are MIT and Caltech. After that you have some schools like CMU and Georgia Tech and etc, but going to the engineering departments inside state universities is just as respectable.</p>
<p>I agree that transferring out of Allegheny would be less than ideal. Pitt is a problem since you do want to start out in engineering in freshman year. Engineering majors typically take a common curriculum independent of their specific major. The curriculum covers calculus, physics, chemistry, computers and possibly some bio all at the same time. I don't think you appreciate how good it is to be accepted at Rose-Hulman. R-H has a name recognition problem among non-engineers, but this is a great engineering college. I wouldn't worry too much about the name, Pomona and Emory also has this problem. Actually, one of the best eng colleges behind MIT and Caltech is Harvey Mudd.</p>
<p>One word of caution about freshman year. In most majors, colleges try to nurture you and get you back for sophomore year. In engineering, the faculty is trying to significantly thin the herd. They may even sit you in the auditorium and tell you to look right and look left, and that one of you won't be there next year. The point is that they mean it. They don't flunk people out of the college, but they move them to different majors. In engineering, alot of the colleges are easier to get into than to stay in after you get there. After freshman year, it calms down.</p>
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**Now Rose-Hulman, I saw the excellent rankings it received from US News so I decided, what the heck, I'll go and apply. I know only little about the school.
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<p>If your scores are as you describe and engineering is what you want: CMU as rejected you then Rose Hulman is a find program for you too consider. It is small with lots of personal attention, you might need that if your scores are low, many kids who are really into engineering and gives some money. The reputation is without question and as you don't care about size it is fine for you. It is in a small town, not an urban area, it is not suburban but with the limits you have it is probably the best offer you will have. I would strongly recommend you take them up on their offer. IF you are interested in engineering as you say you are. They also have a fine coop program if you are uncertain.</p>
<p>I agree. Except for the location not being in an urban area, R-H is probably a better deal than CMU. It is an engineering college that concentrates on undergrads.</p>
<p>If Engineering is truly your thing, Purdue University is a fantastic place to attend. Purdue is a Big 10 school with a fantastic reputation. Even though West Lafayette (and the city of Lafayette itself) is on the rural side, it has a beautiful campus. The value of a Purdue degree is constantly on the rise.</p>
<p>Though you have some schools on your list with better overall academic reputations, don't discount Purdue on your college search...good luck!</p>
<p>Just a note that Purdue accepts more students than will ever qualify to go into engineering and this may be a consideration........he may be better starting at RoseHulman and transferring.</p>
<p>I believe Purdue is still taking applications too.</p>
<p>It certainly depends on what the OP wants. A big college is not necessarily less desirable. MIT is big. Caltech is small. A lot of people want a big college and would hate a LAC. However, Purdue would have the big Calc, Physics and Chem lectures while R-H would have much smaller classes. I think it is just important for the OP to understand how great it is that he/she was accepted to R-H.</p>