Curious if anyone has any experience with this school. My son is finishing junior year and is very interested. We’ll be visiting in August but wanted to get an idea of what folks think. We’re OOS but price is very reasonable. Thanks!
Hoping someone from Michigan can help me out…pretty please?
I know they have a great hockey team that has been known to shock the NCAA world a few times.
Sorry I don’t know much more but they have a dedicated group of students and resources to support these efforts. Indirect, but usually indicating some good things happening for a smaller state university.
Ha, I’ll take it…thanks!!
Also I looked up a few items in the interim. Fine preprofessional schools in health sciences and a solid business school.
The average student seems to be the 1000 to 1100 SAT range.
Thanks! He’s interested in the Automotive Engineering Technology (AET) major. His stats fit in per the Common Data Set and the info published on the department’s webpage. There are only four ABET accredited programs for AET and my son prefers to be in MI (as opposed to IN, MN or TN). I did read that faculty went on strike recently but have a new contract (which would expire at the end of his junior year, if he were to be accepted and enroll there). That gives me pause but is not enough of a reason, in my opinion, to cross the school off the list. Rolling admissions is nice, as is the (relatively) cheap price.
Great place for major like that. The auto engineering and design talent must be at a very high level!
Is Big Rapids an ok spot?
I took a look at the Clery report and didn’t see anything that really made me shudder too much. We’ll drive around the area when we’re there in August. Traveling back and forth will be a challenge (we’re in NJ) but I can handle it for four years. He’ll likely want to stay in MI but I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it!
I have a relative who went through that program at Ferris a few years ago. He landed a good job with General Motors right out of college & is doing fine. Sounds like a great program for entry into the auto industry.
Thanks, @moooop! That’s very helpful. Glad he’s doing well!
I’m from Michigan and have quite a few friends that attend Ferris. I’ve heard nothing but good things. I know they have some of the best golf course management and constructive management majors there. Big Rapids is a cool small town in Northern Michigan. Fairly small, has a homey vibe and from what I’ve heard the community is pretty close.
Thank you so much, @YoopOfM! That’s exactly the type of environment I want for my son. Glad your friends are enjoying their time there!
Just wanted to post an update in case anyone searches for Ferris State in the future. We had a great time at the event this past Saturday! We were impressed with the Automotive Center, especially the relationship the school has with GM, as evidenced by all the donated cars. The professor was very nice, the equipment was in great shape and the facilities were clean. The campus was very walkable, well maintained and attractive. The food at the cafeteria was great! Everyone was friendly and the application process couldn’t be easier. With rolling admissions and my son’s stats being in line with what the school expects, we hope to be one and done!
My nephew graduated from Ferris in 2018. He was a top student in his HS and earned a full ride competitive scholarship. He majored in diesel/large engine tech and is employed in Western Michigan. He received an excellent education. He was also an entrant in the SkillsUSA national competition, representing Ferris.
Several of my patients have been or are students. Good education and they are seem to be employed at or shortly after graduation. Great school for someone interested in automotive.
Thank you so much, @dentmom4! I think my son would love it there so hopefully it all works out for him. I appreciate hearing all of your positive feedback!
Checking out schools like Ferris State is the crux of college search, IMO. You can find thousands, 10s of thousands of reviews, opinions, narratives, descriptions of schools with high name recognition. Not so much the majority of schools that do not get much press. One has to do the research. On those schools.
Do share the info. I’m always looking for schools that offer a good return for their cost.
Absolutely agree…coming across Ferris State wasn’t due to name recognition…it’s one of four accredited programs for what my son is interested in studying, per ABET, and isn’t necessarily well known where we’re from (NJ). I spent a lot of time on the college’s website reading about the program and the school. The school is public but, in the interest of attracting more out-of-state kids, it charges the same tuition for in-state and out-of-state. Also, room and board is reduced 20% if you stay on campus after freshmen year. Financially, that makes a lot of sense to me. On the tour, we overheard someone mention that housing is free over the summer if you take at least six credits. The school looks like it’s doing a lot right. One just has to be open-minded about looking outside one’s local area and not dwelling on big names. Sounds like Ferris State could be a great value for us (still waiting to hear back)!