Feedback on Montana State University Engineering

Would love to hear from anyone who has experience at MSU Engineering. Son accepted to UW Engineering and it’s in state for us, but very difficult to get major once there. We visited MSU and son loved Bozeman and got a good feel from the school. He wants to study computer engineering. It has robotics kids there that he knows from high school so that’s a plus as well. I don’t know how to gauge the quality of the program. The price is right because he got WUE, so it is a strong option. Any insider info would be greatly appreciated. New to this site.

Very strong Engineering and school overall.

I know two MSU engineers – in their 40s now – who praised the program. From what I understand, as long as a program is ABET-certified, it’s going to be good. Since Bozeman is a bit remote, perhaps one thing to check out is how MSU helps kids find internships. Other than that I wouldn’t hesitate to consider it seriously. Engineering and sciences are MSU’s strength (U of Montana is more humanities oriented.)

ABET does not certify sameness, but meeting a minimum, albeit high, standard.

I would be very wary of UW though. Everyone who gets in is sharp, but only about 40% who want that major, get it. There’s a higher likelihood he won’t get it than he will. Is he willing to accept a different major at UW?

Nope, he is really set on CE as of now. Leaning heavily toward MSU, price tag for us is comparable with WUE. And they will add room to classes so kids can take what they want and no barriers to declare major.

Montana State sounds like the best academic fit then.

Which UW ? (I was assuming Wyoming, but eyemgh’s comments sound like Washington).

@Benevedi, if Washington, see the following about Direct to College admission (applicable to Computer Engineering) starting this year:

“At the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, the Direct to College admission option will be available to students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in computer engineering, which are awarded through the College of Engineering.”

https://www.engr.washington.edu/news/direct-to-college

“Students who have completed all the course requirements for placement with at least a 2.5 GPA in those courses will be able to request placement into a major. Some majors will have more requests for placement than they can accommodate. The placement process will be facilitated to best match students with their interests. As part of an immersive first-year engineering experience, there will be many resources and opportunities for students to identify their interests and to understand multiple pathways for meeting their goals.”

https://www.engr.washington.edu/admission/directtocollege/faq

Washington

Direct to college guarantees ONE thing, placement into AN engineering major. There’s no guarantee it will be your chosen major. It’s a step in the right direction, but only a tiny one.

“Students who have completed all the course requirements for placement with at least a 2.5 GPA in those courses will be able to request placement into a major. Some majors will have more requests for placement than they can accommodate. The placement process will be facilitated to best match students with their interests. As part of an immersive first-year engineering experience, there will be many resources and opportunities for students to identify their interests and to understand multiple pathways for meeting their goals.”

OK. :-B