<p>Can anyone tell me about the engineering program at UNH? We are from out of state. I don't want to make too big a thing over the USNWR rankings but I was surprised that UNH was not anywhere on it (as least, as best I saw wading through the report!)</p>
<p>Hi, Janlake. My daughter is a Freshman at UNH, but not in the Engineering program (Psych major). I have heard great things about their Engineering School and I don't know why UNH in general is underrated in my opinion (I think it's #108 or thereabouts in the USNWR rankings). We are also from out of state. They give decent financial aid in addition to scholarships. My daughter received their Presidential Scholarship and is in the Honors Program which were the determining factors in her decision to attend. It's a big state school with a small school feel. My daughter is very happy there. Great campus, you should visit if you haven't already. I'm happy to answer any other questions about UNH.</p>
<p>my D's situation is very similar, out of state, Presidential Scholarship, Honors program, engineering. I am hopeful these will be determining factors, however believe she is concerned about published school ranking/ status. All other aplications were teir 1 engineering programs.<br>
It is my opinion that the eng. program is excellent and more than appropriate for undergrad work. I trust this is accurate.</p>
<p>Danhmom- can you share more information on the honors program? I believe it opens a few doors at UNH and allows for more intimate study with profs and research, etc? Being in the honors program, is your daughter content with academic study at UNH and her ability to blend with others on campus? Being a big state school there I assume there is a mixed group of student, any concern with the honors track/ designation?</p>
<p>USNWR #108? Is this for engineering or the university?<br>
Like Janlake, how important is this ranking? How is the ranking created (students, profs, alum, marketing $s, research grants)?</p>
<p>The USNWR rankings are for the entire school based on a variety of factors. Take a look at the UNH profile to get additional info. I think part of the reason it is not ranked higher is the lack of state funding - it is one of the lowest in the country. However, my daughter is very impressed with the academics there, particularly the Honors Program. It does provide more opportunity for closer interaction with profs as well as research opportunities. Plus the Honors Program staff is great and very helpful. Being a Freshman, she hasn't really had time yet to explore many of the Honors Program seminars but hopes to take more of them in the coming years. As far as interaction with non-Honors Program students, this is not an issue. She has several friends in the program and several who are not. She chose not to live in the Honors dorm which she believes has worked out well for her. I think she felt she didn't want to limit herself to interacting with Honors Program students only. Another plus of UNH in general is small class size. Most of my daughter's classes have about 20-30 students, which is low for a state school. I believe several of the Freshman required courses such as English and Calculus are much larger, but my daughter didn't have to take these courses because she received AP credit for them. I'd be happy to answer any other questions about UNH.</p>
<p>Thanks Danhmom - Glad to hear the good things re: academics/size of class. Does your d talk much about the social life there? Varied? Plenty to do on campus and off? Most students live on campus? Thanks for helping me out.</p>
<p>Janlake, happy to help any way I can. Regarding social activities, most of these involve parties at the Frat houses, just as at other large schools. Not all kids at UNH drink, nor are they pressured to. My daughter has a good deal of common sense and discretion, and has attended several parties. She has never seen anything get out of hand. She has also joined a sorority to expand her social network and become involved in community service. Other than the frat parties there are sporting events which are very popular, especially ice hockey. There is a gym with great workout facilities that also offers classes in yoga, kickboxing, etc., that my daughter has taken advantage of. I get the feeling from my daughter, who is very outgoing, that because it is a large school you need to find your niche both academically and socially, and she seems to have done a good job of this so far. There's not much to do off-campus, there is a main street in Durham with some restaurants and shops, other than that there is a mall about 20 minutes away, with free bus transportation. Boston is only 1 hour away by train, and there is a train station on campus. My daughter has made a few trips into Boston on the weekends for additional activities and shopping, etc. The on-campus train station is also a big plus when it comes to making trips home on breaks. Most students live on-campus in dorms. There are also on-campus apartments and the Greek houses. There are several off-campus apartments but I've been told most of them are pretty dumpy. My daughter has decided to live in her sorority house next year. She was given the opportunity to live there because she has one of the highest GPAs of the new pledges. All in all its working out well for her.</p>