Engineering at Swarthmore vs URochester

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
1

Last month, I got into both colleges, with Swarthmore being cheaper by a marginal $4k a year. I’m looking to major in engineering and hopefully find a job in the MechE field after graduation. I understand Swat is not the ideal place to get an engineering degree because of the generalized program and how you can specialize but not do a specialized major. I don’t want to get to grad school, not in the first 3-4 years after undergrad anyway.

At the same time, Swarthmore has been my dream school from the start of the application process. I recognize that the professors are world class and the institution itself is amazing, and I’ll be leaving as a completely well-rounded graduate if I go. I think if it was any other major, I’d pick Swat over anywhere else. But it’s engineering, so the question still lingers.

What do you think?

2

Do you want to be at a school with 1,700 students or one 4 times larger?

My (biased) 2 cents based on recent experience is that the engineering grads at Swat are doing really well post-graduation, both in grad school and in joining the workforce. You’ll have plenty of options when you leave Swat, and will have a chance to focus on ME work if you choose once you’re there.