<p>I'm from Michigan and I'm considering these two colleges if I don't get into UMich and the financial aid is right. Anyways, what is the general consensus or vibe about these schools? I've seen that CSM is sort of prestigious in the fact that it is a tech-specific school but I have never heard of it...I think I saw somewhere that Mines graduates make the most out of any other school considering tuition costs. Other than the fact that CSM is more engineering orientated, what are the differences? How does Golden compare to Boulder? All comments are welcome...the application date for CU is saturday. I'm thinking I will apply regardless just so I have another option.</p>
<p>My son is accepted to both CU and CSM. My husband went to Mines undergrad. What is your planned major?
The towns and schools are very, very different. Tell me what your’re looking for and I will send a PM.
Both are highly respected engineering schools but for example, CU is considered stronger in EE and ChemE, but weaker in Civil and doesn’t have Petroleum Eng.But CU does have Aerospace.</p>
<p>I’ll be applying as an environmental engineering major. What’s Golden like? As long as it’s not desolate, it will be fine. Boulder is appealing to me, however. I’m considering these two schools if they give me decent fin. aid because quite frankly, I want to spend four years living in CO. And if I can’t attend UMich, one of these colleges might be my next best option (Accepted into MSU and Michigan Tech (which is like CSM) as well). Another factor is that UM and MSU don’t have Environmental Engineering majors, only Civil with an environmental concentration.</p>
<p>Anyways, back to why I like CO. I’m a photographer and I’m looking to turn professional part time (adventure, landscape, and even weddings/portraits). CO would give me ample opportunities. I also kayak and backpack, and I think it would just be really cool to get out and explore minutes away from campus - something you couldn’t do at the same intensity in MI. If one of these schools gives me enough money to balance the OOS cost, why not? Plus, I’m hoping to find out CU or CSM is a “better” school than MSU or MTU. Then, it would be a win win win. The ability to have a car would be a huge plus, to do what I previously mentioned. So even if Golden was boring to me, I could drive around.</p>
<p>Another thing, what are the typical personalities at each school? As a state school, I feel like CU would be more for parties and CSM more nerdy due to the tech-specific curriculum. I could fit into either one, but I definitely would prefer the best balance.</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Golden is smaller than Boulder, but it is also more convenient to Denver. The Denver sprawl basically extends all the way to the Front Range now. I believe a light rail line is in the works. Golden never acquired the same hippie reputation as Boulder, and it has much more of an industrial history. Both are great places for outdoor recreation. I remember Golden as having a slightly more desert-y look and feel, but I don’t know if that’s supported by the rainfall stats.</p>
<p>Both are excellent engineering schools. If you are at all interested in mining or oil and gas, do not underestimate the name recognition of Mines, especially in the west. CU is a very strong program as well. In the end, Mines will appeal to someone who wants a small, very tech-oriented school while CU is a huge flagship university with good programs across the board.</p>
<p>Mines - like MTU in MI - is a tech school, with all the good and bad things that go with that designation. My personal perception is that it does tend to attract a slightly more outdoorsy/athletic kind of student compared to many other tech schools. Actually, that may be true of MTU as well, because of the outdoor rec options in the UP. CU is a well-known party school, but it’s big enough that you can probably find others like yourself no matter who you are.</p>
<p>Good luck getting money from either. I wouldn’t expect too much, but maybe you’ll get lucky. Both are quite pricey OOS.</p>
<p>While I would give a slight edge to CU/Mines, Mich State and MTU are good schools too and you could do very well at either. CivE + Env concentration would probably be sufficient vs. an EnvE degree, though there may be a few situations where the latter would be helpful. I wouldn’t underestimate the outdoor possibilities on the UP.</p>
<p>Sorry for the rambling post. Maybe some of it was helpful. I used to live in Colorado, and Mines is one of my top choices (I’m also a senior this year).</p>
<p>No problem with the ranting! Thanks so much. Are you familiar with MTU? I would love heading up there - plenty of kayaking and photo ops on the rivers and lakes. However, I doubt MTU attracts a balance of students like CSM can due to its central location. I feel like MTU lacks diversity and I would have a better time at CSM. I’m planning on visiting, actually. Plus, if I don’t like the people (girls are a concern :D) at MTU, I don’t have many options as far as going out and meeting new people. At least at CSM, there’s a bunch of cities nearby.</p>
<p>^ I don’t know a lot about MTU except that it’s a decent school and the UP is beautiful. Neither of these schools will be especially diverse, though northern MI is about as non-diverse as it gets. The UP is a very tight-knit area.</p>
<p>The M/F ratio is wretched at both, but Mines is a bit closer to other schools and Denver.</p>
<p>It would be a good idea to visit if possible.</p>
<p>CU is a very large university. Mines is a small engineering school. The towns are very different too (Boulder is a university town)… but really the bigger factor will be what kind of school you are looking for. </p>
<p>“. I’m considering these two schools if they give me decent fin. aid because quite frankly, I want to spend four years living in CO” - I’m not sure you’ll get decent fin aid in either place. But try your luck, and then make sure you make a visit before the final decision. The schools are only about 20 miles apart, but be forwarned that winter weather can make the drive on windy Rt 93 tough.</p>
<p>The college “culture” between CSM and CU is very different as well. Not saying that one is better than the other, but one is a large university with a diverse student body. The other is quite a bit smaller, with a less diverse one because of the particular focus of study there. And, as pointed out, the M/F ratio is higher at CSM than CU. Boulder is a true “college town”, Golden not so much. You would get an excellent education at either institution.</p>
<p>I applied to CU today. I will get to applying to CSM pretty soon. One question: how does the weather differ between Boulder and Golden? CU posts a lot of cool winter photos but CSM doesn’t. Do they not get as much snow?</p>
<p>They’re within about 20 miles of each other, so the weather is virtually completely identical.</p>
<p>Thanks to Kevinnnnni for the redirect to this thread…</p>
<p>So OOS merit based aid at CSM is not exactly a given? I must say I am a tad concerned. I checked their website and found that their scholarship award process began in Jan 2011 and will continue for a few months. Surely they give something? Please!</p>
<p>CSM is basically my first choice, but without serious money I’ll probably take UT Dallas up on their full scholarship/housing package and do Computer Engineering or Physics. I refuse to take a student loan,it goes against my nature and makes no mathematical sense whatsoever.</p>
<p>I’d do Geological Engineering or Engineering Physics at CSM. Waiting…</p>
<p>Merit aid at Mines is not particularly great. From what I’ve seen, they have exactly one award. It’s $2500 a year for residents, and something like $10,000-$12,000 for non-residents.</p>
<p>The biggest OOS scholarship I’m aware of at Mines is $12k. They began mailing those a while ago.</p>
<p>Are you more interested in CompE/physics or GeoE? If the former interest you, UTD is just as good if not better than Mines. I’d take the money and run. I think I told you that in your other thread. However, Mines is much better for CivE, MechE, GeoE, etc.</p>
<p>I’m visiting on Presidents Day for the admitted students get together. I probably will see the place at a good time (the reality of snow, bitter cold) and get a good feel for it. </p>
<p><strong><em>To noimagination: I know colleges work in strange ways, but were you implying that if a OOS scholarship was coming, I’d know by now?</em></strong></p>
<p>As far as GE vs CE, it is a matter of balance. With CE and money, I’d love to start or partner up my own business or have the option of graduate work. With a Mines GE and $160,000 spent, I’d hopefully be able to work after graduation. </p>
<p>It has been made clear to me by the Treasury (the folks) that at full tuition at Mines, it is four years and then I’m on my own. Would that be so bad? I don’t know.</p>
<p>Best to all.</p>
<p>@noimagination, their application deadline is April 1 and “The priority date for financial aid is March 1.” I’m not sure exactly what the March 1 deadline means, but I would be shocked if they are done sending out scholarships. With such a late application deadline, I’m sure their are many more qualified applicants that haven’t applied yet - and I suspect CSM is prepared to give out more. But maybe not.</p>
<p>My son rec’d the $12K annual/$48K total merit award via snail mail today. He’s also accepted at Univ of Texas Cockrell ChemE and Texas A&M (with scholarships), so he’s got a pretty solid application. My husband is also Mines alum. So I think Mines is still sending out merit awards.</p>
<p>(Sure wish CC would create a Colorado School of Mines thread. Great little school, deserves the attention. I keep seeing discussion of Mines pop up in various locations, would be nice for it to have a home.)</p>
<p>Would you be willing to post his stats? Thanks!</p>
<p>This post refers to CSM academic awards, 2011-2012.
Well, if anyone is out there…
Was told at the meeting in Golden that merit scholarship notification or denial would be sent out “by March 1.” Either way, they inform you.</p>
<p>I have heard nothing yet, and intend to call in a week if no notification is received. Parents asked if a late notification was indicative of failure to receive a scholarship and were told “not necessarily.” We will see.</p>
<p>By the way, I loved the tour of the school, and felt comfortable with the other students. The place does radiate serious study-the library is stacked with texts stretching through decades (centuries?) of technical science, in a variety of languages-saw lots of German, but I’m sure there are many others as well.</p>
<p>I’ll let the board know either way, best to all…</p>
<p>re: Mines scholarships, ldboy’s stats:</p>
<p>Rank: top 5%, big Texas public
GPA: 3.8
SAT: 750 CR 750W 720M
SAT II: Bio-M 740 Math-L2 800 (this is why he didn’t retake the SAT to raise his M score)
ACT: Math 36, Comp 34</p>
<p>Senior Year: AP Calc BC, AP Bio, AP Eng Lit, AP Gov/Econ, AP Music Theory, Band Midyear grades: 6 As and 1 B = 3.85 unwtd semester average</p>
<p>Leadership/awards: Only local recognition for math/science. Big stuff is band/drumline related. He’s a drumline captain, multiple year member of TMEA Region Band, has won music scholarships at individual competitions and competes with band, fall and indoor drumline year round. The indoor drumline is very good and they have done very well on the TCGC circuit. The fall drumline has won ‘best percussion unit’ as several marching competitions. Also, he’s in the usual clubs: NHS, French NHS (VP), Key Club, etc… </p>
<p>hth/GLTA</p>
<p>My son received an email today confirming his in-state Merit Award of $2,500/ year. That brings the price down to within a few hundred of CU-Boulder for Colorado residents. But CU Engineering Department awards their own scholarships, between $1000 and $4000/year. No doubt they compete for some of the same students.</p>