<p>Hello, I am a high school senior and have a few questions about CSM. If you could answer one or more, I would be so appreciative!</p>
<p>Does one have to declare their major upon entrance within engineering? I know some schools have a first year (or even semester) program, like Purdue, which incorporates the general engineering courses providing for the student to declare their eng. major a bit later.</p>
<p>If anyone could give their experience with out-of-state merit scholarships, that would be fantastic. Namely, the presidential scholarship (~$12,000 I believe?)</p>
<p>Also, at CSM, how do their Chemical Engineering and Materials Sci & Engineering programs stack up?</p>
<p>I can’t answer all your questions, but no, you do not declare your major upon entering. In fact, just about all Freshman have the same class schedule, much like how you described Purdue. I know they are very strong in ChemE, don’t know much about Materials. The general rule of thumb we were given on getting the $12K is 3.85 UNweighted GPA plus strong standardized test scores (I can’t remember the specifics on the test scores). They also do rolling admissions and scholarships, so the sooner you apply the better.</p>
<p>Mines has a strong core program. You’ll take pretty much the same courses with any engineering major (I believe ChemE is a bit more compressed, so if you want that option you’d just be ahead for the others).</p>
<p>I got the $12k when I applied two years ago. Not enough to bring the OOS rate down to my price range, but they do award it. I believe my application was submitted in mid-October, though.</p>
<p>You don’t have to declare major freshman year, but I suggest that you do in area of most likely interest. You’ll have a better chance at having a knowledgeable prof as advisor. </p>
<p>If budget is a concern, keep in mind that most majors require 140+ credits (vs 120 credits at many schools). It is tough to get through Mines, but even tougher to get through in 4 years.</p>
60% graduation rate within 5 years (students have to study very hard so they do not end up being weed out of school).
Financial aid is mostly of OOS students or students with great need. This school has very limited financial aid almost non existent.
No need to declare major when you are accepted.
Internship opportunities mostly for 3.5 and up GPAs for competition is king. Companies interview over 300 applicants in different schools for about 6 internship oppenings for your major.
Can get a job within 6 months of graduation, depends on your major.</p>
<p>Hey a bit late, sorry about that. I’m currently a freshman at mines (well sophomore by credit hours now but whatever) going into my 2nd semester. </p>
<p>Major wise: Whatever you put on your application will be your declared major but it’s actually “your area of interest.” The only affect this has is whether you get placed in BELS (a bio course), EARTH (an earth course), or CSCI (Comp sci). Basically all earth science majors need earths to graduated, mech/chem/envi/nearly all others need BELS, and comp sci and maybe one or two others need comp sci to graduate. Don’t worry too much about it though, you may not even take it your first semester (or in my case next year due to scheduling constraints). You’ll have the ability to change this during orientation if you get placed in the wrong one.
Also starting this year they’ve created dedicated freshman advisers and from what I’ve figured out so far it seems you don’t truly declare (and get an advisor in your department) until sometime sophomore year.
^
Basically it doesn’t matter what your major is the first two years as long as you know the general area. (Earth Science, Math/Physics/Comp Sci, None of the above)</p>
<p>In terms of getting through it in 4 years I believe it’s easily doable. Then again I came in with lots of AP credit so I’m already nearly through my math requirement and have a head start on physics. What causes people to not get through in 4 years is failing Calc I (delaying their start of physics as Calc I is a pre-req) and failing Phys I or Chem I. Don’t and you’re golden. (Pun intended.) </p>
<p>Presidential Scholarship. I got it as an OOS student. Didn’t even know I was in the running for scholarships (got applied for them with the gold application). Had a 34 ACT (35 Math, 35 Read, 36 Sci, 30 Eng, 7 Writing) and an A- GPA (we weren’t on the 4.0 scale sorry). No sports but I was heavily involved in debate and technical theater at school but I honestly think the school really only cares about test scores.</p>
<p>I’m a geophysical engineering undergrad so I can’t speak from personal experience but Chem E is supposedly the hardest major at the school. Reputation wise I think it’s good simply because it’s mines but I’m not entirely sure if there is anything amazing about it. If I was at school I would ask suitemates since 1/2 of them are Chem E’s. Metallurgy I honestly don’t have a clue. Google Mines + Major and the department pages should pop up and give you a lot of info.</p>
<p>Also apply if you haven’t already. Just do it. The mines application is literally the easiest one you will ever fill out (no essay) and is free. You hear back in 30 days. It was a backup school for me to Northwestern and I ended up going here. By far the best choice of my life and I’ve only been here one semester.</p>
<p>I realize this is much delayed, but thank you all for your helpfulness! I did receive their $12k OOS scholarship with a 33 ACT, if anyone is interested.</p>
<p>I have a friend who attends South Dakota School of Mines…I’m not sure that they’re the only “Mines” schools, but I know of universities that had Mines in their name but have since changed their names.</p>
<p>New Mexico Tech slipped my mind! I would add that, generally, the overall rankings of each school would look identical to the order of the list ucbalumnus posted.</p>
<p>The first and second years of classes at CSM are nearly identical for every major. If you do any dual/concurrent enrollment or community college, just try to fit your classes in with theirs. With ONE exception. They do not want you to take calculus-based physics anywhere else. Even though my son is in Calc III at CC, they want him to take algebra-based physics next semester. If you do take physics elsewhere, they will most likely make you re-take theirs. And it’s a weed out class.</p>