Alright, I am actually a current freshman at Colorado School of Mines and am going back for my second semester. It is a tough engineering school, but I have come to manage it all. However, I have come to realize that the reputation on Mines only goes so far: I’ve heard anyone who is not from colorado or is not involved with engineering has no idea what Mines is. This worries me because I want to go work out of state away from colorado and I also want to work in medicine (like biomedical engineering) and Mines doesn’t necessarily have a great reputation here. Because of this, I have been looking at transferring to CU’s engineering school since CU is a big, recognizable school. Doing research, CU’s engineering school is basically just as good as Mines (Not as great or as specialized as Mines, but still pretty good), plus CU’s social scene is a million times better than Mines and boulder is also much much better atmosphere than golden. I went to Mines because I thought it had a great reputation, but as I said, it’s not as great as it seem beyond Colorado and the engineering world. I just want to see what other people think about this, and if this potential transfer to CU seems reasonable and beneficial? Thanks so much for your help.
Don’t know if this helps, but people from other states probably know about the school. My fellow JV inside linebacker got accepted there, and I’m from RI.
I can understand transfering for the social life, but I don’t think UC-B has a better reputation or better job opportunities.
What’s important is the reputation of the school among employers and engineers, not whether the average person has heard of it or not. Some excellent schools aren’t well known outside of their industry or local region.
If you’re unhappy, then sure, transfer to CU-B. But if you’re doing it just because you think it’ll help your job prospects, then it’s probably not worth it. SoM is known in the industry and that’s what matters.
Are you a BME major?
I came from a small town in Ohio and have known of CSOM for 30+ years. Back then our top Petroleum E’s came from there. IMO it’s similar to Rose Hulman … not a household name, selective in admission, very well respected in industry. But not a “typical” college experience for most. If you pursue CU, make sure you thoroughly understand the process for transferring into Engineering there. Do they direct admit into bio-mechanical or do you have to go through general engineering to get there, things like that. Good luck!
Thanks for the advice. I understand that mines has a great reputation for petroleum engineering and metallurgical, but as of now, I am biochemical engineering major and biomedical engineering minor (CSM doesn’t have biomed E as a major). This is where I’m worried about reputation, because the biomed is a new program from only a couple years ago, which is why I don’t think it really carries a name as far as mines goes. I’ve actually met people who have had a hard time finding a job in medicine from here who had the biomed minor. I was thinking that CU is just a bigger name that I think is more reconizable. Additionally, social life at CU is very much better and fitting for a college student, but I’m not going to give up a better education for the college atmosphere, but as far as I’m concerned, CU’s engineering school is just as good as mines, which makes me think it might be better up there.
Honestly, this is a time for expert opinions. First, talk to someone in career counseling at CSOM, tell them your concerns, and ask about specifics of job placement in your field.
Then make an appointment at CU’s BME department. Explain your situation (leave out the part about social life being better at CU 
) ask about their career placement, research opportunities - advice. Gauge CU’s interest in you, their approach, their willingness to help you.
It’s true that Boulder is a bigger university and it’s true that its BME may offer greater opportunities. BUT there is something to be said for the kind of professional contacts and mentorships you can find at smaller schools. And that’s not an insignificant consideration when it comes to finding jobs, or getting into grad school.
It is called a mines school for a reason. Did you get an scholarship you couldn’t turn down? What is the financial picture?
Ok, this was many moons ago, but I once dated a guy who went to the Colorado School of Mines and he was working on Wall St in NYC. I forgot what he did or what he majored in, but he was very successful.
Some of the posts on cc seem to imply that BME is a questionable major anywhere.
The med school and hospital are at CU Denver, I have no idea but I wonder if there might be more connections to the medical world at CU Denver than at Boulder or Mines.
Both are reputable. People in industry know how tough Mines is, so youll get respect for that. On the other hand, it’s more a grad school atmosphere (with some competitiveness of the Hunger Games variety thrown in at times 
) so if you wanna traditional college atmosphere, go for CU Boulder, it’s very good too and more 'collegiate '.
I don’t think OP wants to be an actual MD, right? He wants to work in the field as a biomed eng. There would be no reason to be at mines if medicine was on the cards.
@NoMoreMines - I’m a little late to the table on this thread - a little curious where you are at in your decision and I have one thought to share. Do you plan to continue on to grad school? If so - does CUB offer post grad in biomed eng. In all of my visits to schools with my S17 and the discussions I’ve see on CC - it’s the grad school that will have the most impact on job options - could you complete the degree you’re on track for at Mines and then do your grad at Boulder?
My friend did mech engineering at CU Boulder and loved it.
From a midwestern perspective, Mines = great engineering school. CU Boulder = great ski & party school.
Anyone who thinks you attend a school and major in engineering in order to party doesn’t know what engineering is and certainly doesn’t hire in the field.
@NoMoreMines My daughter (in-state HS senior) is likely to go to CU-Denver for a health-related major; with the health majors centered at CU-Denver due to the hospital affilation, it’s a better fit for her than Boulder.
My son (college junior) is a BME major; Colorado State was his top in-state choice (he ended up at Vanderbilt). CSU has a young BME program but they’ve invested heavily in BME and all graduates get a double-major in BME and a “traditional” engineering major to counter those who tend to dismiss BME.
Those we spoke to said that the reason CSU is up-and-coming in BME is thanks to its heritage as a top-five veterinary school. They’ve had faculty integrating devices into mammals for decades. I think you’d find BME in Fort Collins one of the easier transitions from Mines.
We are from Kansas and my son looked at Mines but even with scholarships, still too costly. But beautiful and your just outside of Denver so plenty of things to do. He is at Universtiy of Alabama…awesome OOS scholarship for a high stat student and incredible engineering facilities.
Remember, as long as the school is accredited, it does not matter where you get your degree. This was some great advice someone else on hear had said and it makes sense.