<p>I am surprised your son didn't notice all the things he doesn't like about his current college during his first year there. It seems a little late in the game to be switching schools, unless he also plans to switch majors. I get the sense that is also being considered and may be part of the problem.</p>
<p>Research, call, and visit!</p>
<p>mommusic - he may have noticed in the first year, but reluctant to act or whatever.</p>
<p>In any case, it is quite common to transfer for junior year. Transferring in as a junior predominates at some schools, because that is the time frame for jr/community college students. Thus, some who want to transfer from a 4-year school consider waiting/do wait until junior year because they feel there will be more of a critical mass of newbies to meet/acclimate etc.</p>
<p>Others, of course, do transfer after freshman year. But either is fine. Now is not at all late. It is a bit late for the OP and son to be doing the research/legwork... but it can be done. If he only plans to apply to a school or two, it will not even be onerous. The more schools, the more time-consuming the process can be. So, organization and "systems" are key.</p>
<p>You're quite right, I forgot about kids coming in from 2 year colleges.</p>
<p>First off, thank you all. Thank you to garland, mercymom, StickerShock, 1moremom, dmd77, jmmom, inverse, kathiep, karp4170, midmo, AND mommusic!!!!!!</p>
<p>I really appreciate all of this helpful and informative input.</p>
<p>As far as USNWR goes, I guess I'll break down and spend the $15. Guess its a very small price to pay in comparison to what college costs. <grin> So that'll be my answers on the 'offifcial rankings'. (I'd also would really be interested in other 'official' type rankings from whoever publishes them.)</grin></p>
<p>As far as a condensed version of what my son is looking for in a school, I'll post that in this evening when I have a bit more time for a reply. I'm going to have to leave work soon. So thanks for the advice, I'm sure it'll help to put that here and also in the Engineering forum (which I hadn't thought of).</p>
<p>As far as what mercymom mentioned about considering other majors/options, I'm not sure what to say. From everything I've heard, the hardest years of engineering are the first couple, getting all of the numerous sci gen eds out of the way and adapting to a engineering curiculum/work load. So in that respect, he's done with the most greuling part. Furthermore, a big factor for us is that he's done so much work already in these same specific (and advanced) engineering/science courses that wouldn't apply well to nearly any other major (other than maybe chemistry, or physic). So although he had mentioned Psychiatry (or Psychology), Teaching, Medicine, and Law to me, I'm not sure he'd be willing to do the back work (since he'd probably be behind), or for that matter, I'm not sure I'd be willing to pay for the extra semesters. That being said, I guess the most important thing to him/me is graduating into a job or with a major that really interests him or that he really likes. In summary, he had definitely considered switching majors but I think he feels a bit trapped by all his backed work, and also by the fact that engineering is so notorious for high paying jobs right from graduation.</p>
<p>As for 1moremom, PSU does look somewhat appealing, yet the high price tag is something that's definitely a deterrent. Although my son got into the school when he was originally applying for colleges, he received no aid, maybe that would be different now, maybe not... In any event, I know he does have a couple friends from high school that go there which would definitely be a plus, but I'm sure that he might not want something farther north.</p>
<p>To dmd77, the five colleges program definitely is appealing and while I'm on the subject of Amherst I guess it might be a reasonable idea to check out Amherst College (that is if my son could get in and get some money to help with the 'StickerShock' ;) ). I'm glad to hear that the UMass graduates you've seen have no problem handling work. Like I already said, he's really not 100% any which way about engineering (I'm hoping he keeps it up, I think it may be his most viable option) As far as the SUNY schools go, Stoneybrooke has been recommended to me and I think I'll be at least checking that one out. And yea, I think RPI is out of the picture. Thanks for the info on the March 15th deadline BTW.</p>
<p>To jmmom, thanks for the info on the application process, and the school suguestions, I'm sure well check them out (Purdue ; Lehigh; Santa Clara University. Tulane University) Also, the other schools or things your might sugest / help with would be much appreciated. Like I mentioned I'll post a better condensed version of my son's wants/desires in a school tonight. To give a BREIF synopsis though:</p>
<p>Rural</p>
<p>Large (10k+(?))</p>
<p>In the Northeast</p>
<p>Close to a place he can snowboard (somewhere nice)</p>
<p>Good academics or be at least comparable to Stevens</p>
<p>Somewhere that could be < or = 30K a year (after scholarships) but this is the MAX amount after scholarships and it would be very preferable to go somewhere that would be closer or less than 20K a year (FINAL cost)</p>
<p>Good male/female ratio (better than the 75/25 at Stevens, MUCH preferably at least 50/50 or close to it)</p>
<p>Not too crazy far from New Jersey (But most anywhere outside of Maine in the Northeast would probably be alright)</p>
<p>And thats the short short version of what he wants.</p>
<p>To inverse, he's no interested in staying instate (NJ), but thanks for the tip anyway.</p>
<p>Kathiep, what you said about visiting schools is very wise. I think he definately will have a much better feel for a school after sitting in on a couple of classes. Thanks. (And 40K+ for PSU might make it seem to big to my son but IDK, I guess I'll ask.)</p>
<p>Karp4170, although I really appreciate your input on PSU, and it will definately be a consideration and I'll see if he wants to apply there, I'm not sure that the school wouldn't be too expensive (I guess we could cross our fingers for a scholarship.) And I think he really wants to be more north, not west. But thanks again and I'll definately check the school out. And I agree about Rutgers, thats the same impression we got when we visited two years ago.</p>
<p>Lehigh - might be a bit small IDK much about the school
Bucknell- also might be a bit small but def. worth checking out
Lafayette College - (ditto)
Virginia Tech - although it seems alright at a glance, I don't think he wants to be that far south.
Cornell - I've heard good things about it and I'll do some more looking.</p>
<p>(THANKS TO ALL!)</p>
<p>Midmo, what you say about UMass assures me and is a real help. I think the description that your giving is a positive sign. I'd like to find out more about the hiking (we both love to hike). As for the variations in the student body I think its pretty much a norm, but I definately want to find out more about the honors program, associated scholarships, and his chances or getting in. For the foriegn engineering professors, foriegn is one thing but not being able to understand what is being said in class is another. And another big complaint of my son was that the professors didn't care much. I think thats more important than nationality. Thanks though.</p>
<p>Mommusic, I know but after his freshman year he hadn't done so well. Transfering wasn't a real option and furthermore I don't he had really understood how Stevens really worked yet, or developed the dislike he has for it now. But yes, we definately need to research call and visit, desperately.</p>
<p>FINALLY,</p>
<p>Jmmom, thanks for the support. I'm glad to hear the words of encouragement, they mean alot right now in these trying times. But yes, I think that will defintaely be the plan, only pick a few select schools and then focus on them.</p>
<p>And now a short personal note:
Besides all that has been said here let me say this, any more info on UMass would be real helpful. Since my daughter currently lives in Amherst and my newphew is currently attending the school as a freshmen, and because I've visited a number of times and been happy (and so had my son) (at least from that 'at a glance' distance) I'm leaning towards the school a bit. I really want to check out the academics more though. Importantly whether my son could get into the Honors program and whether he could take something similar to Biomedical Engineering AND kinda IMPORTANTLY if he'd get scholarship money (I feel like he will almost definitely get in <cross my="" fingers,="" grin="">. So thanks and more info on UMass would really help. I guess my main reservation about the school is that it wouldn't be prestigious enough or at least as prestigious as Stevens and would therefor hurt him when he gets a job for a year or two before moving on to either graduate school or medical or law school or something else (like he's said he's planning on). (Both hurt him in a starting salary and in helping him get into good grad. schools (with scholarship)). So I mean in summary:</cross></p>
<p>What are his chances of getting into the honors program?
What are his chances at a scholarship?
How prestigious is the school, really?
Do you think there would be a difference in the starting salary or quality of job I would get as an exiting graduate from UMass Amherst vs. Stevens?
Do you think it would make a difference to grad. type schools I might apply to in the future?</p>
<p>He's a very breif summary of some of his stats:</p>
<p>Cumulative GPA 3.3
BUT, he's been doing better every semester look:</p>
<p>1st semester: 2.699
2nd semester:2.795 (originally was a 2.4 but he repeated a course to replace the grade)
Summer of first year (1 course): 4.0
3rd semester:3.405
Double co-op work term in spring and summer: 4.0 in the one summer class he took
4th semester: 3.593 (might be getting an B changed to an A and thus it might go up to a 3.7 instead along with my cumulative GPA coming up a few points)</p>
<p>He has some extracurriculars in college like,
Residence Hall Association, Inter mural Lacrosse, and work experience at two 8 month periods of co-op in real engineering firms, he's also started his own business which sells mattresses (<a href="http://www.collegemattress.com)%5B/url%5D">www.collegemattress.com)</a>, He's about to start training to become an EMT too. He also did some work as part of the Russian club in his school.</p>
<p>He had a 1480 SAT (the old test) in high school and was top 20% of his class (I think it was 58/270(?)), His high school GPA was fairly high,I don't remember it exactly but I'm going to get his high school transcripts soon. (maybe a 3.8 weighted). He also had excellent extracurriculars in high school. National Honors Society, Peer Mediation, Football all four years, Lacrosse two years, wrestling one year, A bunch (4 or 5) of AP classes, Key Club, and a bunch of other junk too that I'm probably forgetting.</p>
<p>So once again thanks in advance for all the help.
I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.</p>
<p>CHEERS!</p>
<p>I know you will be posting more on his wants and needs later, puff-o~.</p>
<p>But, a couple of thoughts. His criteria, taken all together, may give us a null set. Ie, cost under $x + rural + under 10K students but not too small + good M/F ratio + fairly high USN&WR ranking, etc. etc. - we may not have any that meet ALL the criteria. So, as much as possible, let's hear the dealbreakers/must-haves.</p>
<p>Point of info that you probably won't like too much - not a lot of merit $$ for transfers. Sad but true. I know. My S had big $$ from Tulane, which he had to leave due to elimination of his major; decent offer from Santa Clara U. Applied to several schools known for good merit aid at his stats level as transfer - only one offered merit $$ and it was small. Several known for good merit $$ to freshman state flat out that they do not offer it to transfers. Others just allocate much less.</p>
<p>In your summary, let us know if need-based aid is possible for you or not; you probably already mentioned it, but I didn't catch it in your earlier, more lengthy posts.</p>
<p>The $15 you spend on USN&WR Premium Online Edition will be $$ you will be very glad you spent. It is such a direct and organized way to search the schools. You can then come here or consult other sources to flesh out impressions on the schools. Be sure and check the PhD/doctoral school rankings for Engineering PLUS the Masters-level rankings for Engineering. Will give you many more to consider.</p>
<p>Your son's hs record is impressive; his improving college GPA will be a help. Some schools do have stated GPA cut-offs for transfer - and some of them are 3.5. Check into that. There could well be some flexibility at some of them, but he may want to focus on good schools that he likes, but which don't have that hurdle.</p>
<p>Finally, a wee pit of unsolicited parental advice? Take it or leave it. I mean it in just the kindest possible way; and it may be off base. But here it is: you've got a strong feeling in favor of UMass. If I were you, I would let that go for now. He's already landed in a place he doesn't like. I think it could be dangerous to steer him, even unconsciously, toward a given school. You can really be a huge help to him by doing what you are doing - the leg work of identifying possibles based on his criteria. Offer them up to him and see which appeal, without injecting your preferences? Might be more likely to land him in the right place. Later, you can help him immensely (if you so choose) by being his Administrative Manager of the app process. I did this for my son's transfer apps - he has to write the essays of course. But if you choose to handle the transcript ordering/SAT score sending/spreadsheet of application status, etc. -- frees him up to focus on his academics and channels that huge energy we have as parents to help our kids end up in the right place.</p>
<p>What good advice, jmmom! All I know about transfers is what I've learned here on the CC board - and the one thing that sticks in my mind is that transfers get less merit aid then freshman.</p>
<p>The three Pennsylvania colleges that you mentioned- Lehigh, Lafayette and PSU are ones that I can speak of a little. Lehigh and Lafayette are in the cities of Bethlehem and Easton, they are not rural. Certainly more rural then Stevens IT, but they are in cities, not small towns. Cost is over $30,000. tuition alone at Lehigh room and board is $5,000. Lafayette is $31,000 for tuition and $4,080 for room and board. Skiing/Snowboarding is pretty close.</p>
<p>I know a few people that recently graduated or are in the engineering major at PSU. The one downside is that I think that they get many, many transfer students because they have about a dozen satellite campuses and those students are pretty much guaranteed a spot at the main campus after two years. The upside is with so many kids coming onto campus their junior year, he would fit right in and the college probably deals with transfer students very smoothly.</p>
<p>Just a quick thought--what about U Rochester? It's sciency without being too techy, it's midsized, in a small city, but lots of country (and snowboarding) around it, good academics, has lots of merit money, though I don't know about transfers, pretty even male/female, I think. Just a thought.</p>
<p>Puff-o-smoke</p>
<p>Your doubts that an undergrad degree from UMass is sufficient to get anywhere struck me as requiring a response. Back when my H was a professor at UMass, he had an undergrad student about whom he raved regularly; he hired him as a research assistant based on his classroom performance. When the student was looking for grad schools, my H encouraged him to go for the top; student was admitted to, and earned a PhD from one the top three Ivys, and is now a tenured professor at another Ivy. Second anecdote: today H interviewed a candidate for a tenure-track professorship who earned her bachelor's degree at UMass and her PhD at Univ of Cal-Berkeley (highly ranked dept in his field).</p>
<p>Good students who get to know at least one helpful professor well can be very successful, even if their school is not respected by those who post on cc.</p>
<p>Hiking in western MA. My very favorite part of my years there. Amherst sits in the Pioneer Valley, ringed by eminently hikable "little mountains". Some of them form part of the Appalachian Mountain Trail, others have trails maintained by the state of MA. Some of the hills can be commandeered in a few hours, others will keep you moving all day if you continue along the crests of several of the connected hills. Unfortunately the Safety Police have posted no hiking signs on some of the more interesting routes to the top of Mt. Skinner and other places, but the hiking is still very fun. Flat trails abound as well in various conservation areas, and those are fabulous for X-country skiing. Bicycling is also popular. For more vigorous hiking, an easy weekend hiking and camping destination is the White Mountain area in NH; lots of trails and beautiful camping areas. Also too many people in nice weather, and I once had a growling black bear pawing at my tent, but other than that, a great weekend destination from Amherst. (Warning; my info may be a lttle dated; I hope things haven't changed too much over the last decade.) </p>
<p>Good luck to your son with his decision.</p>
<p>First off, Thanks to jmmom, kathiep, garland, and midmo!
(And to everyone else, this is so helpful!)</p>
<p>To jmmom, I think you mis-understood me a bit. It must be at least 10K not under 10K, yet preferably not too far (if any) over 20K. (student body #)</p>
<p>Also, we might qualify for some need based aid, but are definitely not 'lower class' which is usually who get the most or all of the aid. We are a middle class family. (if that even means anything)</p>
<p>I bought the $15 USNWR premium edition. It's good, I need to spend more time looking at it.</p>
<p>AND, thank you for the advice, but this tendency towards UMASS comes straight from the source, my son. He's visited up there and always said he likes it alot and has been going much more often lately to see both his sister and his cousin. That said, you're right and I'll be careful to let HIM pick.</p>
<p>Kathiep, thanks for the tip on Lehigh, Lafayette. That puts them out of the running for us. And as far as PSU goes, I don't think my son likes it very much. I've been talking to him about it and he doesn't seem too interested even in looking at the school.</p>
<p>Garland, U Rochester is a good thought. I'll talk to my son about it. Yet from what I've heard it is mostly a tech school and I think that that is just what my son is trying to get away from. He says he wants more diversity at the college.</p>
<p>To midmo, thanks for the reassurance on Umass Amherst's academics, that's really the area that I think I'm most concerned about (my son has expressed very similar feelings). And also thanks for the hiking tips, we'll be sure to check 'em out sometimes.</p>
<p>To all, thanks for the help in the past and hopefully into the future. At this point my son has definitely decided to apply to UMass Amherst and he is wondering more about the school and whether he might want to apply to another college or two as well. He expressed interest in the Boston area (that's where his girlfriend goes to school) or anywhere in Massachusetts and the Northeast in General. Also, might someone suguest a reach school that he might be able to get into with around the same characteristics. To sumarize again he wants a school that is:</p>
<p>Rural (or as much rural as possible)
Large (larger than 10K or 15K would be good but this is flexible)
In the Northeast
Close to a place he can snowboard (somewhere nice)
Has good academics or be at least comparable to Stevens
Somewhere that could be < or = 30K a year (after scholarships) but this is the MAX amount after scholarships and it would be very preferable to go somewhere that would be closer or less than 20K a year (FINAL cost)
Good male/female ratio (better than the 75/25 at Stevens, MUCH preferably at least 50/50 or close to it)
Not too crazy far from New Jersey (But most anywhere outside of Maine in the Northeast would probably be alright)</p>
<p>Thanks again. I look forward to hearing more from anybody and everybody.</p>
<p>Regards.</p>
<p>"From everything I've heard, the hardest years of engineering are the first couple, getting all of the numerous sci gen eds out of the way and adapting to a engineering curiculum/work load. So in that respect, he's done with the most greuling part."</p>
<p>That certainly was NOT the case at the engineering school I attended! While freshman year was tough, that was more adjustment --- the last two years, during which REAL engineering courses were taken, were HARD! </p>
<p>And as far as engineers being paid so well is concerned, that is just not a good enough reason to be an engineer. Here's a secret: no matter how much money people make, they never seem to feel it's enough. Your son might as well enjoy what he studies & what he does for a living. If he is intelligent and hard-working, he will be able to support himself even if he ISN'T an engineer.</p>
<p>puffosmoke--are you by any chance confusing University of Rochester with Rochester Institute of Technology? URochester is definitely not a tech school though it is strong in sciences. RIT, however, is.</p>
<p>I think he should seriously consider UNH. Very solid Engineering program, well-respected regionally. It's rural/small town Durham (a really nice town). Good rep in other fields, should he change majors. It's the size he likes (ca. 11000) and over 50% female. Well located for winter sports.</p>
<p>What about Bucknell? I don't have first-hand knowledge of this school, but maybe it fits.</p>
<p>I have to say I keep thinking of Santa Clara University. Strong in Engineering as well as other fields. Wants males ;). The Silicon Valley location makes it excellent for kids focused on the employment-after-college aspect of education and they emphasize adjunct faculty from the real world high-tech industries all around them. I know it's not on the East Coast, but it is also reasonably located for winter sports in Lake Tahoe area (not if he wants to go EVERY weekend, though).</p>
<p>For a reach school, most of them don't fit his other criteria. Maybe Cornell.</p>
<p>Second thoughts: not sure I have a good handle of what would be reach/match/safety for your guy. I see that he has a 3.3 (and in what you understand is a tough-grading school). That is a nice stat for a science-heavy courseload. But I'm not sure if you've posted SAT and hs stats - those will count in transfer apps as well.</p>
<p>If you care to post those (apologies if I missed them, but I scanned your earlier posts just now and didn't pick them up), that might help us guesstimate reach vs. other schools.</p>
<p>Have you considered any of the Canadian Universities? McGill is in Montreal, but outdoor sports are very accessible. Carleton University in Ottawa, the same. And I think their application dates are later than the US.</p>
<p>Garland is correct -- Univ of Rochester is NOT a tech school. I know several kids (all girls) who love it there. Definitely check it out.</p>
<p>Thanks to all!</p>
<p>This is just a quick post in response to jmmom, I will post more later but I'm a bit busy at work today.</p>
<p>He had a 1480 SAT (the old test) in high school and was top 20% of his class (I think his rank was 58/270(?)), His high school GPA was fairly high,I don't remember it exactly but I'm going to get his high school transcripts soon. (maybe a 3.8 weighted). He also had excellent extracurriculars in high school. National Honors Society, Peer Mediation, Football all four years, Lacrosse two years, wrestling one year, He even was a male cheerleader for 1 year, A bunch (4 or 5) of AP classes, Key Club, Computer Club, Science League Competition, Recording Secratary of his Sr. Class, Treasurer of the Computer Club for 1 year, envolved in International Dessert Competition (run by the foriegn language department)....and a bunch of other activities too that I'm probably forgetting.</p>
<p>More later, just wanted to get the HS stats up. :)</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>FYI , if you or your S has questions, Chris D'Orso from Stony Brook University Admissions is participating in the CC Stony Brook University Forum.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip frankie38 but I think Stony Brook is out of the running. Its not in the right location, but thanks anyway.</p>
<p>To everyone else, if possible I'd really appreciate some more info on UMass Amherst (also on VMU, NHU, U Rochester, and Bucknell) (listed in the order I want the info in)</p>
<p>THANKS again a bunch!</p>
<p>Like I was saying before, I'm trying to find a school that is the following:</p>
<p>Rural (or as much rural as possible)
Large (larger than 10K or 15K would be good but this is flexible)
In the Northeast
Close to a place he can snowboard (somewhere nice)
Has good academics or be at least comparable to Stevens
Somewhere that could be < or = 30K a year (after scholarships) but this is the MAX amount after scholarships and it would be very preferable to go somewhere that would be closer or less than 20K a year (FINAL cost)
Good male/female ratio (better than the 75/25 at Stevens, MUCH preferably at least 50/50 or close to it)
Not too crazy far from New Jersey (But most anywhere outside of Maine in the Northeast would probably be alright)</p>
<p>Any help would be appreciated if you have suggestions and more specifically I've been looking into UVM, UNH, and especially UMass Amherst. Any info on those schools would help immensely. I'm looking for anything. Stats, student life info, even anecdotes; I'm trying to get a feel for the schools and choose what might be the best route from here. Thanks to everyone in advance and I hope to talk to you soon. :)</p>
<p>puff - To flesh out your picture of those three schools, I suggest you start a thread with a title along the lines of "UVM, UNH and UMass Amherst". Ask for peoples knowledge of the schools, impressions, stats, student life, info on Engineering programs. You'll get a lot of people who might not check this thread, but who know those schools. I know soozievt and some other Vt. people can speak to UVM.</p>
<p>My H went to UNH Engineering, but of course that was in the Dark Ages ;). He and his classmates have gone on to mucho successful engineering careers in a variety of fields and throughout this country and internationally. My step-grandson is a sophomore there now in Engineering. He is not the caliber of student of your son (wrt his high school preparation and success), but is doing very well there. I don't really have much first-hand knowledge though. I can also add that it attracts a number of students from my (neighboring) state who want a quality state U, attractive campus, reasonable size, nice location wrt winter sports. It is a "safety" for the top students and sought after by the B/B+ student. I don't know if UNH offers merit $$ to out-of-state students (especially to transfers), but if it does, I would expect your S to be well qualified for same.</p>