Engineering in Ohio State University Vs University of Texas Austin

@midclassdad Ohio State does publish the placement stats by engineering major. Check out pages 97-99 of this report: https://engineering.osu.edu/sites/engineering.osu.edu/files/uploads/uess2014.pdf

It seems the 2014 report was just recently posted. I was pleased to see the results were much better than 2013. However, the number of grads seeking employment still seems high to me.

When I first became concerned about this, I started comparing to other schools in our area that have lesser ranked programs, e.g. University of Dayton and University of Cincinnati, and found their overall reported placement was much higher than that of OSU. I suspect there’s more handholding of kids at the smaller schools and that results in better outcomes. Although my son loves OSU, he’s had plenty of instances where he wasn’t able to get help when asked, e.g. Advisor gave him “I think that office is in X building” direction but he never could find the office. Professors didn’t respond to emails. There are some legitimate downsides to some large institutions. Of course, a truly persistent kid would have persevered, and outstanding kids will be successful anywhere. It’s interesting to see what happens to the kids who are smart enough to make it through the program and graduate with reasonable grades but who might be more average in terms of willingness/ability to take initiative in actively managing their future.

I think UD’s numbers are probably more due to the proximity to Wright-Patterson AFB and the AF Research Labs (internships), and UC’s to their coop program. Just MHO.

I have heard of students choosing UC over OSU for precisely that reason. UC may not have the same national name recognition as OSU but it’s co-op program has great contacts and gets the student that first work experience which can be more valuable than OSUs name.

Check to make sure how this works. All universities are different but I know where I went this would not fly.

My son is a junior engineering student at Alabama from NY. Turned down admission from some of the best schools in the world. Will be interning this summer at a major defense and aerospace company with facilities all over the country (he will be in Maryland). He also had offers from other national firms, you know the names. He will be working with other interns from top schools everywhere, including schools he passed on. I have no doubt he will choose from top of the line job offers at graduation. If you do well at UA, top opportunities await.

Oh, that probably has to do that there are a lot fewer CCers who are determined to bludgeon the rest of us with stories of the greatness of the schools and the related ability to shine in the ARWU rankings! A lot of the mystique finds its origins in the reputation of the graduate schools, which may or may not have much relevance to undergraduates.

UT at Austin (not called UT-A or UTA, by the way) gets plenty of credit from people in the know. I think the OP might be interested in reading the posts of MaineLonghorn, or contact her for insights about Austin.

Wow. I love you all. So many insights about Ohio and Alabama. Thank you all for sharing these valuable info.

???

@xiggi‌, it’s not as if UT-Austin is a laggard in ARWU. 5th in engineering in the whole world according to them.

BTW, to the OP: High schoolers may be myopic and think that just because something is hard for them to achieve, it is “better” . . and admission to UT-Austin is hard to achieve if you are OOS, but it is extremely easy to achieve if you’re in the top 7% in a TX HS. In any case, I wouldn’t use that as a metric for decision-making.

100% Texas high schools who rank in the top 7% of their high school get into UT.
It is, however, very hard for unhooked OOS applicants.
In my opinion, since OP’s son wants a warmer climate, it’s between UAlabama and UT.

What exact costs are we talking about for the first year?

Based on residency rules, you’ll be considered a Texas resident for tuition purpose after 12 consecutive months of employment there. Therefore, it’s unlikely to take effect by the time your son is a sophomore (unless you move before July this year).
http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/residency/establishing

The top 7% gets auto admit to the UT-Austin but that does not quarantee the admssions into the majors of choices. Admissions into Cockrell Engineering are very competitive even for in-state auto admits.

PT, you might be one of the few great minds who actually know there are sub-rankings in the ARWU, or at least one of the few great minds who think those rankings carry much relevance to students in general.

My comments stand!

@MYOS1634,

First year cost will come to 50k with boarding. Yes, I plan to move by June this year and taking steps for the same. Subsequent years, it would be 20k/year.

Could your move be to Austin? In case your freshman son stays at home during his first year, you might be able to knock down the difference by $10-12,000.

I don’t know how difficult it would be but could your son attend Alabama for the first year and then transfer to Austin for sophomore or junior year?

@xiggi‌
We have analyzed places in Dallas for good high school as my daughter would be going to high school next year. Yes, moving to Austin might knock some cost, but do not know the home cost in Austin. Have not given any thought to that yet.

@"Yankee Belle"‌

I think transfer from Alabama to Austin would be challenging, particularly to cockrell school. But might be a possibility.

I am far from being an expert, but I think that housing costs should be comparable in the suburbs of Austin and Dallas. Good high schools should also be comparable. Traffic might be a harder to navigate in Austin with fewer options. I was born in Dallas but have returned to Austin more than to the DFW area. I think both places are pretty nice places to raise a family. The vibes are, however, quite different. Obviously, one’s budget makes a lot of difference in Texas.

It is very difficult to transfer into certain majors at UT, especially engineering and computer science. Keep that in mind if you are seriously considering transferring.

Another bases for comparison you can look at is which companies and the number of companies that attend engineering career fairs particularly those interested in your son’s field.

@spectrum2,

where do I find engineering career fairs information for all these institutions? My friend’s son is doing engg in Alabama. But he is just freshman.

I am hearing from my friend that there are lots of coop opportunities there etc.