The retention rate for many engineering programs traditionally is not very good. However, looking at the Mines profile it looks like 94% of freshman return for their sophomore year? I am curious if this is really the case because talking to some friends who went there ( years ago) they thought more like 60% returned. Does anyone have experience with this school? Thoughts in general on engineering retention in general? Academically it is an excellent school but we are concerned about the weed-out issues and whether it is still an issue.
I would trust the stats. It is a very easy number to calculate and then verify if they were ever questioned. The high retention rate is a strong indicator that the public views it as a very solid program. The students are not attending and then looking to transfer out to a better school.
Also, people know what they are getting into when they go to Mines. They want engineering, the school has it.
The 60% retention was in the 1980s and 1990s. Mines now gets a lot more out of state applicants, and the standards are higher for math scores. Thus a lot less MInes students are giving up as they come in better prepared in mathematics. Also, Mines does a better job describing what it is and what it is not, so students are not surprised when there are not so many English literature courses or foreign language classes to select. Still there are some drop outs who just do not find the major they want at Mines. Mines is also broadening itself a bit, with masters in project management, more economics classes, and the honors program with a focus on policy.
Thank you for the response. Lots of decisions to make.
@cheetahgirl121 I too was accepted to Mines and was a semi-finalist for the Harvey Scholars Program. I was notified that I am an alternate for the award, but I don’t know how many alternates there are, or where I fall on the list. Because I am coming from out of state, I would need the award to make it affordable. But I have to say, I loved the school. I attended the Discover Mines event and did my interview during that weekend. I liked the applied, hands-on focus of the programs and the scholars and the other students I spoke with were all great people. I also liked the sense of community and the great connections for networking and internships. If I don’t get the award, I will not be attending, but I have other great options as well.
Congrats on getting the finalist/alternate option. My d would have picked mines had she received the full scholarship. She ended up getting into one of her top schools so had to decline Mines. However, it was a tough choice what a great school!