<p>The fact that you mentioned “well rounded school” about each of the two others suggests to me that either you or she (maybe both) are concerned that she may not end up liking the “techie” school. Is she the type that wants engineering, but is also the type that wants the social aspect that a “well rounded” school can better offer? </p>
<p>School isn’t just about academics.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the posts on options. I was away from mid-morning yesterday until now, so I have some good input to sort through. First time using quotes, so hope this works…</p>
<p>mathmom
Do you know more details on this merit increase? We petitioned for more merit showing other merit awards, and that worked. Not sure if there is a recipe for this additional merit beyond high GPA. Is it related to research or club activities?</p>
<p>
That’s one thing that rings true. She likes math/science. So if she switches, there would be other choices at RPI that are appealing. For instance, she would not switch to humanities, but perhaps another type of engineering.</p>
<p>
Thanks for the info. I wasn’t aware.</p>
<p>compmom
We have had family trips, and she attended Boston Arch College summer program in 2010. She has had many trips in since an infant. She’s looking for that nice quiet college campus. NEU has a campus, including the green circle area, but not like Syracuse or RPI. She does like NEU though, so she’s still considering. Going to the enigneering open house coming up we’ll all have another look. It’ll be her 3rd trip there over the past year.
She looks at it as a plus and a minus. Plus is as you state. Minus is she wants to bond with a group of kids, and looks like going off to co-op with different cycles than your friends might make for lost friendships. Although you don’t have to co-op as NEU says, most kids do. RPI has co-ops too, but doesn’t seem to be widely used. RPI/Syracuse appear to have more internships over summer, so kids say in sync.</p>
<p>
I’ll say - the SAT scores are going through the roof. Only 30% acceptance rate (from memory - so may be off). Getting the large merit and honors is, well, an honor. Hard to say no, but RPI upped their offer with driving force being NEU’s merit. </p>
<p>
Yes, good points. We see RPI as “close” to since it’s 2.5 hours. We’ve done a back and forth with Syracuse on same day (son sophomore there) but that’s really tough.</p>
<p>
Her story is she wanted to be an architect (hence the BAC summer program). But found out several things about architecture she didn’t like: 1) not much math. concentration on more of the artsy side of things (some programs don’t even require calc I); 2) architorture - kids live in the studio. She knows engineering is hard, but usually doesn’t have 20-30 hours of project work per week as architecture does at Syracuse (was her top choice due to their program); 3) job prospects - starting salary low (40s) and high unemployment.<br>
So, talking to reps at an architecture open house in Boston, she went over point #1 with many of the schools (MIT, Syracuse, Harvard, Florida) and a common suggestion came out - go for civil engineering with an emphasis on structures (one of the four sub-disciplines). BSCE and Master’s in structures. Also, minor in architecture. That’s how things stand.</p>
<p>thumper1 - yes, we will ask about sibling discount when visiting Syracuse. Curious as to why it wouldn’t come in the aid package. We shall see.</p>
<p>floridadad - yes, RPI on top of that list for engineering. With the increased merit aid (matched NEU’s $20K/yr, and also stated would go for 5yrs if combining with Master’s), that is a big boost.</p>
<p>keabie
Good summary on many points. Having the extra $ (crossing off SU) would help with Master’s too. Same school as son is nice, but only 2yrs. </p>
<p>
We’ve had 2 visits to RPI - didn’t like it first time (seemed dead/somber), but loved it 2nd time (as admitted student - attended class, and had 1 on 1 with engineering dean who’s a structural engineer). 2 to NEU (so close), and coming up to their admitted student’s day for engineers. Many to Syracuse due to son. Attending engineering admitted student’s day and general admitted student’s day on consecutive days.</p>
<p>Thanks to all for some great comments/suggestions. I’m sharing with my wife and daughter.</p>
<p>BillysDad2014–I can’t speak specifically to Mathmom’s friend about getting more aid in subsequent years but if you have XXX dollars saved for college and that amount decreases by $50,000 in the first year, that helps on your FAFSA, possibly depending on other circumstances. Also, colleges like to see a good retention rate, so they entice students to stay with more money quite often. Then, there are a lot of scholarships at many schools targeted to soph-seniors. Many of those are private endowments and my guess is they want to make sure their dollars are going to committed, proven students.</p>
<p>Even back when I was in college, we got more aid, more scholarships with each year. H didn’t pay anything his last 2 years of school because he won a scholarship that was only for juniors and seniors in his major, not something that was available to him before that.</p>
<p>Look on the various websites for the FA at each school and see if some of these types of opportunities are available.</p>
<p>
If you want to show which poster you are quoting you can say QUOTE=mathmom and it will appear in the quote as I have done above :).</p>
<p>Your D sounds very much like I was at some point - interested in Architecture, but not particularly an artist, more mathematically oriented, and hoping to get paid more adequately. I ended up with a BSCE Structural concentration, and worked for a time as a design engineer. </p>
<p>A few things: A lot of people find structural engineering a great, rewarding career, but it is also one of the most stressful (one of the reasons I ultimately left). Unless she eventually goes on her own, it is not the most motherhood friendly field. Clients expect 8-5 access at minimum, so getting part-time work can be a challenge. At my first SE job we often worked 70 hours a week (with no overtime pay). In an economic downturn, new building and even major renovation work slows, and the SE’s are one of the first to go. I was laid off 3 times in 7 years.</p>
<p>Because of the mix of civil engineers in the government vs private industries compared to other engineering fields, structural engineers are often paid less than other building design engineers (mechanical systems, electrical systems).</p>
<p>A few schools have Architectural Engineering majors, (Penn State) which is an architecture/structural engineering combo and cuts out the other CE subfields. Not sure if the schools she is interested in allow “custom make your own” majors (a lot of schools do but they don’t really advertise it), but possibly she could use the Penn State example to propose her own custom AE major.</p>
<p>ETA: If I had to do it again I would go with a Construction Management concentration. Things were a lot more exciting on the worksite than they were riding a desk. YMMV</p>
<p>
Very interesting input. She actually is very interested in art, and submitted an art portfolio in addition to regular app where she could. But does not want to give up math. Math comes first, and she feels that working in the field could work the artistic end as well. </p>
<p>
We know construction in general is cyclical, but seems engineering would be more secure than the architecture end (not stating reasons, but could try later). We (mom & dad) feel if she starts in the engineering side of things, she’ll be able to find her own path during undergrad/grad. She’ll be more “in the know” than us after she starts her journey.</p>
<p>
Yes, we heard of this too, while at the Boston architecture open house. The reps from the schools didn’t think that was for our daughter after she went over her desires. Arch engr is more the nuts and bolts of internal systems. She wants to ensure the buildings “stay up” so to speak; work the big picture aspect of the structure, not the electrical, plumbing, etc.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>RPI has something called the Bedford Program that she’s interested in. It has BSCE, MSCE, and some level of architecture (we’re learning, so vague). Limited to a cohort of 8 civil engr students and 8 arch students starting junior year. That group sticks together for junior/senior year and their Master’s. Undergrad aid (including merit) is extended to completion of program. She’s had some Q&A with the dean of engineering and the civil engr prof in charge of Bedford since we visited on March 26th.</p>
<p>RPI hands down. Best reputation for engineering and the least expensive. Win-win.</p>
<p>Re: The RPI Award</p>
<p>If I recall correctly the additional merit aid was an award for female students who were excelling, but I don’t remember exactly. It was a pleasant surprise, nothing they had expected or asked for, but it was for upper classmen, not part of the original package.</p>
<p>
The first firm I worked for recruited at Penn State, and I worked with 3 of their Architectural Engineers. They were all working as structural engineers in the exact same capacity that I was. If the D is concerned about having to learn about stuff not central to her interests, remember that in Civil Engineering she will have to take Fluid Mechanics, hydrology, water quality engineering, transportation engineering, and possibly surveying. All things I never used as a structural engineer, having little to do with making sure buildings stood up. </p>
<p>IMHO, a Structural engineer with an architectural bent would be much better served with an AE degree than with a CE degree. </p>
<p>Perhaps the reps from the schools just didn’t want to lose her to one of the few schools with actual AE programs?</p>
<p>Closing out the thread, so to speak. We will visit Northeastern and Syracuse over the next few weeks, and post back findings. By May 1st, by definition, our daughter’s housing deposit will be due. So before you know it, her decision will be made.</p>
<p>Thanks to all who contributed to the dialogue. Exciting times / big decisions.</p>
<p>-John</p>