<p>Also if I apply and dont get into Colorado I would have pretty much of wasted my time waiting.</p>
<p>I talked to the school and it seems like a good school. Its definitely going to be a big change of pace and style over there but I will adapt. I am going in for Fall 2013, will be flying over on august 24th i think. Thanks everyone for your input. You guys might of really impacted my future lol.</p>
<p>Good call!</p>
<p>Congratulations! By the way, isn’t the check in for SDSM&T freshman and transfer students on August 22 and not the 24th? In any event, be optimistic about the new endeavor upon which you are about to embark.</p>
<p>Yeah but orientation day isnt until the 24th so idk yet. Havent yet book a flight anyway.</p>
<p>Great call. You are going to get a great education and minimize debt.</p>
<p>Well, you know your own needs better than I. But if you check in on the 22nd you’ll have ample time to resolve any logistical problems with less hassle; like having to wait for available dorm room (bureaucratic snafus do happen), or an inconsistency with the course schedule you registered for using your online account, etc. And of course the extra days will give you plenty of opportunity to get acquainted with your new peers and surroundings in a relaxed setting before the start of classes. If I were coming from across the country to South Dakota for the first time, that’s what I would do. But I am sure in the end you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Everyone I’ve talked to who knows SDSM&T says that you’ll be working very hard from now onward. Go for it!!! By the way, be sure to attend the SDSM&T football game against Colorado School of Mines. Heh heh.</p>
<p>Just goto South Dakota School of Mines. Do not wait 1 year for Colorado School of Mines. </p>
<p>Great Bargain and Great Academics. Your transportation cost might skyrocket but the total COA is nowhere near the COA of CS of Mines.</p>
<p>CSM is a great school. And it does have access to Denver and mountains. But academics are intense - most kids keep their nose to the grindstone without a lot of extra free time. SD is probably similar.</p>
<p>I did work with a find student for CSM. His brother chose SD, and they both thought highly of both schools.</p>
<p>One drawback to SD School of Mines & Technology. The residence halls have been recently renovated (and there is one brand new dormitory on campus), but everyone reports that the rooms are relatively small. Be forewarned; pack light and pick up any essentials once you’re situated in Rapid City.</p>
<p>Me and my parents decided we are gonna go on a road trip there. Ride through Chicago and Minneapolis and some other cool cities. I have seen pictures and the rooms do look a lot smaller than my room at Rutgers. I will pack light thanks for the adivce</p>
<p>Sapere31:</p>
<p>Are you attending SD School of Mines? How do you like it?</p>
<p>I heard from Sapere31. He’s been enrolled at SDSM&T since the start of the semester.</p>
<p>Any more updates from Sapere31?</p>
<p>Yes, I made the worst decision of my life coming here. Absolutely miserable all year. This place is for hillbillies, computer nerds or just overall socially awkward people. I will be re-enrolling back at Rutgers next fall or will be looking elsewhere. I am definitely not coming out here ever again. </p>
<p>Notes:Literally half of the freshman class dropped out after first semester. The winter lasted from October 6th to… well… its still snowing. There is no culture in this ‘city’. The workload is immense (calculus is impossible here, expect 3-4 hrs homework every class). And there are NO women AT ALL. Literally you can go a whole week without seeing one. There are no parties/nightlife/anything to do at all that doesn’t involve off-roading.</p>
<p>Overall, if you are looking for an enjoyable engineering experience, look elsewhere.</p>
<p>Well as they say, to each his own; but the new students (and their parents) I’ve talked to report a very different experience at SDSM&T, one which they enjoy very much so far. It goes without saying that the course work is tough, which shouldn’t be a surprise at an engineering university. As far as social life goes, I was told that it does seem that several freshmen women did not return for the Spring Semester. Unfortunate, but again, it’s not uncommon for prospective engineering majors to change their minds after enduring their first set of STEM classes.</p>
<p>Among the two students at SDSM&T whom I know personally (neither are South Dakota natives; both from urban areas), one has just scored a second interview with a major engineering company, so there’s a good chance he will get a internship at the firm this summer. And he already has been offered a summer research position elsewhere. Both the kids I know, including a young lady, joined clubs and keep busy socially. Mines is working out for them. Everyone is different. Good luck to you Sapere.</p>
<p>I said nothing of the job prospects. They are good but they are good at nearly every engineering school so it is nothing to brag about. I know many engineers who go to populated schools who also have summer research positions, internships, and job offers. And I don’t know who your getting that information from but everyone I talk to from urban areas here says they do not enjoy it.</p>
<p>Sapere - . Based on your recent posts, I suspect you would not have been all that happy at Mines either. STEM schools are not for everybody, but a least you gave it a try (no future regrets). Good luck back at Rutgers</p>
I would like to thank everyone for participating in this thread. I am 32, black, female, and changing careers from nursing (been a nurse for 10 years) to engineering. I did some travel nursing in the Bakken area and fell in love with the Dakotas. I heard about SDSM&T through some of my coworkers. I’m originally from the south, but my father was in military. I can settle down just about anywhere and call it home. I wanted to choose a school in this area with the hopes of getting an internship with the oil and gas industry. So thank you all for your informative responses and encouraging words. I’ve benefited greatly.