I am looking at an array of schools for a major in mechanical engineering. I see some schools require higher SAT/ GPA scores than others? Is there a difference in the academics taught? Is one school teaching more than the next? Is the curriculum harder? CONSIDERING THE FOLLOWING. Thanks in advance!
DREXEL
NJIT
VILLANOVA
LEHIGH
RUTGERS
STEVENS
LAFAYETTE
The COLLEGE of NJ
UNIV. OF DELAWARE
VIRGINIA TECH
PENN STATE
Look up ABET accreditation for each. That’s what counts for engineering. Are you in-state for any of those schools? Out of state students pay much higher rates for public universities like Penn State. Run the Net Price Calculator on each school’s web site to see how much they cost and then talk to your parents about the answers.
@“Erin’s Dad” Thanks, I will look into ABET, is this a website? Trying to stay in state. I noticed some schools are difficult to get into just wandering if the curriculum is the same across to all the schools. What makes it more difficult to get in ? Is the course more rigorous than other schools?
While not identical, the curriculums will meet minimum standards for engineering accreditation. Do look at the classes that are available at each. Some might have a strong aero emphasis vs. another’s materials emphasis.
Some schools are more difficult to get into because students just want to go there (NYU is an example of this for some reason). In some cases it might also be due to students wanting the strong alumni support that’s available. Eyeballing your schools they don’t seem to be out of bed with each other.
@“Erin’s Dad” Thank you for your input.
Whether one ABET-certified engineering program is more or less selective won’t necessarily affect the course offerings or graduation requirements. It may affect the pace of instruction.
thank you.
Thank you. That is what I am wondering. What is the difference? The pace? one school maybe more demanding vs. the other.
All of the ABET programs cover a lot of material. Schools that attract stronger students may also have higher expectations of their students. That can be in the form of pacing, depth, or projects depending on the specific professor.
I am pretty sure that the schools on your list are ABET accredited.