<p>This past summer my son and I visited CU, CSU and the Colorado School of Mines. Although we live in Florida, his mother has lived in Colorado for since his birth and as such, we are fortunate enough to qualify for in state tuition. That said, my son is interested in Mechanical Engineering. He is also quite active in sports, playing on his varsity golf and soccer teams. He has taken all the AP classes his high school offers in science and math and will be transferring with 15 credit hours in subjects like AP Physics, AP Calculus and AP Chemistry. After visiting the campuses of each school, he decided only to apply to CU and CSU. The reason he left out School of Mines was because it lacked the big college experience. As a member of the varsity golf and soccer team at his high school, he wanted to have the time to join an intramural team, or go skiing, or join a couple of clubs. The School of Mines seemed a bit too specialized and intense to allow for such a diverse education. Plus, I think the boy to girl ratios where the final straw. Anyway, this leaves CU and CSU. At this moment, we have only heard back from CSU where he was admitted. But given his academic standing, I don't foresee any issue getting into CU. So...when we visited CU and CSU...we noticed some differences. From my son's perspective, CSU was more of a hands on engineering school...where CU was more theoretical. It seemed that, at CSU, an undergraduate had numerous opportunities to get involved in research and/or projects than CU did. And while we did not get to tour the CU engineering labs because they were closed that day...what we did see was not that impressive. Especially if what I am hearing about the hand on experience at CU is taught through off campus internships. My question is...what is the difference between a CSU and a CU grad with an engineering degree? And...does anyone have any experience with the graduates from these two competing programs? And...is it true that the only mechanical engineering experience you will get from CU will be the off campus internship? And...would a engineering school graduate of CU be more or less likely than a CSU grad with the same engineering degree, to be groomed to lead a team of engineers? I guess what I am asking...does the prestige of CU mean anything in the real world...or will the hands on experience at CSU be more important?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance...</p>