I’ve wanted to be an engineer since I was ten and I’ve been working my way to completing this. I’ve tried to go around the system the cheaper way but nothing has worked out in favor of my goals. In both my high schools, I was able to take AP classes in the humanities, but every time I applied for a math or science AP I didn’t get in. I am taking AP Physics, thank god (I had to beg for them to let me take it), but I am only taking regular Calc. I have A’s in both those classes. What is holding me back though is my C- in my junior year trig class. At that time I became homeless and extremely aloof from my studies.
Anyways, I applied to the University of British Columbia’s Applied Science Program and the second choice was the Science Program. UBC is my top choice; it’s cheaper than most American universities and it has a beautiful environment. I was admitted to the university; however, I was not admitted to my first choice program (Applied Sciences). I was also admitted to the engineering program at the University of Rochester in NY, but it is too expensive. My other choice was Steven’s Institute of Technology; I was admitted as an Electrical Engineering Major but it’s 70% male and it’s not as beautiful as UBC. Finally I was accepted to Lewis and Clark and they don’t have engineering but if I go I would be in their pre-engineering program and would be offered a spot in Columbia University’s grad school or USC’s grad school after I finish there.
University of British Columbia is my dream school but the other schools are offering me a degree in my dream career. If you were in my situation which school would you choose? Thanks!
How easy is it to internally transfer into UBC’s Applied Science program later? If it is extremely difficult, then it sounds like you need to choose one of the schools that will let you major in what you want to major in. A school that won’t let you do that is a poor fit. You applied to the other schools because you thought you could be happy at them as well, right?
If an internal transfer is not possible at UBC, then I would go for one of the other schools. You say that you are comparing a “dream school” to a “dream career.” One lasts 4 years, while the other lasts more than 40.
Contact UBC and ask if, after a semester doing well in the Sciences program, you’d be allowed to transfer to the Applied Sciences program?
Lewis&Clark isn’t good for you since their 3+2 program, while good, does not garantee aid for the +2.
Have you received your FA package from for UR and Stevens? Can you indicate how much it costs (tuition, fees, room, baord) - (scholarships, grants) at each?
The Lewis and clark program does not admit you to grad schools! No. It admits you to the upper division engineering program. And it seems likely the transfer may not happen as many, many students do not follow through in practice.
If engineering is your priority then Steven’s seems a better bet. You have to decide how committed you are to that career, based on your yourself as a mature person, not as a 10year old or hanging onto what a 10 year old wanted. Honestly it isn’t ideal with the gender ratio, but the workplace will be more of the same, so it might be great training on how to fit in and thrive with a group of men. And if women don’t accept these spots the ratio will never change.
@BRownParent is right; in the 3/2 program you don’t transfer to the grad program. You will get two BAs - one from Lewis & Clark and one from Columbia or USC or WUStL in engineering. I’ve heard people say that 3/2 students often don’t finish (I’ve heard everything from “many” don’t to “students rarely finish”) but I have never been able to find reliable statistics that document how many 3/2 students actually make the transition to the other university. I was friends with a lot of 3/2 engineering students at my own small LAC - which has agreements with 12 different engineering institutions (including the ones that L&C partners with) - and most of them transferred to the second institution after 3 years and finished up the engineering degree. All of my engineering friends are gainfully employed and have been since graduation, lol.
I would think that each individual LAC has its own statistics, and it would depend on the program and the support that the students have there. Some programs are probably more successful than others. But there is, of course, the caveat that you don’t continue your financial aid at the +2 part of the program, and Columbia doesn’t guarantee to meet need for transfers (not sure if USC does).
So I agree - it depends on how difficult it is to transfer into applied science at UBC. Or could you use the physics or integrated science degrees to accomplish the same goals, perhaps pursuing an MS in engineering after graduation?