<p>Having difficult time trying to decide on which is the wisest decision. Son has been offered $12K scholarship at CSM and full tuition plus at Texas A&M for chemical engineering. We are out of state for both. With the $12K scholarship at CSM, the cost will still be awfully high and a real challenge, but probably do-able if we really tighten our belts. I calculate the costs would be somewhere around $35K/year at CSM and around $12K/year at A&M. Both very different schools as far as size and campus vibe. He likes the idea of a smaller school like CSM and, of course, loves Colorado, but he really liked A&M as well, and A&M seems to have a great reputation for its engineering program and is offering a great deal. Anyone have any helpful info about whether CSM education and job prospects are that much better than A&M or vice versa? Would appreciate any insights. Am guessing curriculum at CSM is a bigger challenge and, therefore, might offer greater rewards. ??</p>
<p>a friend’s D went to CSM (she was in-state), liked it and did well.</p>
<p>It sounds like TAMU really wants your S.</p>
<p>I got a graduate degree in business at TAMU. Loved the school and know many engineers from TAMU that had a great experience at TAMU. Great network globally. Belong to an Aggie group in AL where I currently live.</p>
<p>I am married to an eng (both our undergrads were in WI).</p>
<p>Nephew graduated a few years ago with ChEng degree from Iowa State (in-state for him). He bounced around different jobs and now has found his nitch.</p>
<p>Either college is whatever you make of it. I think you would have a hard time justifying the $$ difference. I would not believe or assume CSM curriculum is harder.</p>
<p>Can CSM ‘match’ TAMU (it never hurts to ask)?</p>
<p>A big eng school in a big state is going to have great job prospect/on campus recruiting, internship opportunities, etc. A specialized eng school like CSM is going to get attention too.</p>
<p>Congrats to your S. If he continues to work hard and do well he has a great future in front of him. </p>
<p>Thanks, SOSConcern. It’s good to hear from someone with knowledge about both schools. TAMU has been very generous, as has CSM. I think CSM just has less money to throw around, so it reserves 14 full rides for students with significant need. As you say, though, it can’t hurt to ask, and we’ll probably do that before all is final. And I meant no insult to TAMU by mentioning the difficulty of Mines. We were so impressed by what we saw going on at TAMU when we visited. What I really was referring to was the fact that there’s really very little “gen ed” curriculum at CSM, like required English, history, etc. courses, and I understand CSM requires more credit hours than most universities. It’s all STEM-related, with the exception of phys ed and an ethics course, and I have read they start classes at 8am and have common tests on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. No doubt the professors and actual courses and instruction are of equal quality at each school, but the schedule at CSM sounds mighty intense. Son really thinks he’ll like it, but, like you, just not sure we can justify the $$ difference. Thanks for the kinds words of congrats to son. He has worked very hard throughout school, and it’s nice to hear affirmations that, if he keeps it up, it’ll pay off in his future. Fingers crossed. And thanks again for these very helpful comments.</p>
<p>I’m a very similar position as your son! Accepted to Mines and TAMU, still trying to decide which is best. I didn’t’ get into college of Engineering at TAMU, but I got 15,550 per year at Mines for ChemE. Mines is out of state, so I would still come out with a little bit of debt, but not a crazy amount. My biggest concern is going 1600 miles away from home to try something I’ve never experienced. Let me know if you’ve decided!</p>
<p>I’m a Texas resident and I will be attending Mines in the Fall as a transfer student. I was attending both HCC and UH here in Houston and had no plans on transferring until I knew about Mines and visited it. Never applied to A&M or UT. Never had a “Dream” school before I knew about Mines. My parents will not be paying any of my tuition and I ave no scholarships because I’m a transfer student and I still decided to go there (Plan on getting a part time job) Everything will be paid by student loans but I know that once I graduate I will be getting a good job if I keep up my grades. Mines has the best job placement for engineering degrees and also in the top 5 schools for starting salaries. It’s also an amazing school and it’s in Colorado :)</p>
<p>I think that your son should pick whichever school he likes, especially since he is getting aid for both.</p>
<p>Good for you! Son opted for A&M, but I’m convinced you can’t go wrong either way. Best of luck to you. Mines is a great school in a great location and the job prospects afterward are amazing, too.</p>