<p>Hello everyone. First thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my thread. My son is planning on either attending Auburn University or Florida State University. He originally wanted to get a degree in Econoimics, then move on to a law degree. Now he has gone back to his original passion of mechanical engineering, and then MAYBE a law degree. Auburn has a great CoE and a great reputation. FSU, as a university, has a great reputation, but I do not like what I am finding out about the status and reputation of its engineering school. It seems the issue deals with its ties with FAMU.
The scholarships to AU and FSU are virtually the same, so price is not in the mix. He visited both campuses and was equally impressed. He also understands the parties, sports and lving conditions will be about the same, except Tallahasse is about 3 times the size of Auburn/Opelika. I have read both AU and FSU CoE websites. So, no big issues, except the CoE reputaions.
I have no issues with FAMU as a college. As someone who lives near Tuskegee University and Alabama State University, I know the value of HBCUs -- but I want to know if my son would be "wasting" his time getting an engineering degree from FSU only to be overlooked by most recruiters/businesses because of the CoE status.
Please do not respond with the normal UF/FSU/FAMU/SEC back-and-forth banter or a debate on HBCUs. It's been played out for years on this site and its really getting dull. I just want to know if it's worth persuing an engineering degree at FSU. Yes, UF, UCF, AU, MIT, etc... are ranked better, I don't care -- I just want any information about FSU's CoE.
Again thank you for taking the time to answer my thread. I very much appreciate any advice you may have.</p>
<p>Some facts to consider:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The dean at the joint FAMU-FSU College of Engineering recently stepped down and a search is underway for his replacement. See: [Interim</a> dean chosen for FAMU-FSU College of Engineering / News - FSU.com](<a href=“http://www.fsu.com/News/Interim-dean-chosen-for-FAMU-FSU-College-of-Engineering]Interim”>http://www.fsu.com/News/Interim-dean-chosen-for-FAMU-FSU-College-of-Engineering)</p></li>
<li><p>FSU and FAMU may split the College, but when is uncertain. FSU alumni, like me, see this College as being driven in two directions - FAMU wants to follow their HBCU tradition while FSU is aggressively enhancing STEM while pursuing admission to the AAU. The College of Engineering is essential to AAU admission for FSU. The college is composed of some 80% FSU faculty and students and some 20% FAMU faculty and students. The only way this College is going to go is up.
</p></li>
<li><p>Remarkably, the College’s budget was NOT reduced in this era of cutbacks. The state Legislature knows that the College acts in synergy with the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (located at FSU, near the College of Engineering) and other advanced research facilities in the area.</p></li>
<li><p>Even with the mission friction the College of Engineering still ranks third in Florida (UF is first by a wide margin, then UCF closely followed by FSU) in some lists, noting such rankings are typically controversial, but first in graduating black engineers.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Like many of these “which school is better” questions, it really depends on the individual and where they find they can perform. Graduating from FSU with an engineering degree will still allow impressive employment if the student performs well.</p>
<p>We are in the same situation with our S. He has applied to FSU and wants to major in mechanical engineering. He loved the setup with Innovation Park , but it is one of the issues I have. We visited several engineering colleges: UCF, UM College Park, and Georgia Tech. But, his first choice is FSU. We are BIG Seminoles fan and just want him to feel comfortable in his new home. We have been watching this partnership with FAMU for some time and was hoping that it would be resolved before he applied, but apparently it is ongoing. We did take time to talk to students on campus last summer, and everyone had only good things to say about the engineering school. We are still anxiously waiting for acceptance, and are even looking into the pathways to FSU program that we have been reading about. Apparently there is a program there of some sorts that helps to ensure that the pre-engineering students get the all the math and science classes in the proper order. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Bess222, thank-you for your reply. Yes, your information helps. My son went for a visit to FSU last month and thought it was a great place, also. I’m sure it’s a great program, just like it seems, but I believe the tie-in with FAMU is not allowing the FSU CoE to advance in the standings. I also do not want to take a chance that they may separate, only to find out it will never happen and my son’s degree is looked upon as second rate. I do believe FSU as a whole is a great university, though, and would love for him to attend – but it probably will not happen unless there is a major news announcement of the split between now and the end of summer. I hope all goes well for your son. Sometimes I think we parents worry more than our kids.</p>
<p>I know exactly what you mean. As I write this my son is socializing over a video game with some friends. I share in your concern over the FAMU-FSU tension but I have been reading this thread for years now and I find that parent2noles seems to have the inside on alot of buzz at FSU. I had to look up what AAU is, and it would certainly be a very good thing to have FSU a member. Three of the other colleges that we visited were on their member list.</p>
<p>Most of FAMU’s programs have a poor reputation, its staff is known for corruption and failure to adhere to academic standards, SACS has placed the entire school on academic probation for months at a time, and the school’s freshman admission standards are notoriously low. </p>
<p>Its Engineering program, however, is top-notch. Both the FSU or FAMU Engineering programs would be a decent choice in my opinion, as both provide access to the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory - one of the more impressive research facilities in the southeast US.</p>
<p>If you are interested or have been accepted in Florida A&M University (FAMU) please join the FAMU Class of 2015 Facebook page. (Click on the link below to join)</p>
<p>[FAMU</a> Class of 2015 | Facebook](<a href=“Redirecting...”>Redirecting...)</p>