My oldest had no research opportunities at TAMU until junior year. My youngest got a semester of research freshman year through the freshman honors program at Iowa State. It was quite worthwhile, at least the freshman honors program.
The TAMU honors program was generally a waste, although it may have improved. Enrolling in honors classes actually hurt my son’s GPA, contrary to how it was advertised.
The TAMU board is very active. I would ask any questions you have over there for up to date information. Since my son graduated, I don’t check in there any more.
Please don’t think that I’m bashing TAMU; it’s a great engineering school. My son did very well and got into a top PhD program.
Glad to have found this thread! My son’s first choice is TAMU as well but is also accepted at ISU and UT Dallas for Computer Science. Any insights into ISU vs. UTD? We loved ISU on our visit.
I hope I’m wrong, but I doubt that you will get an answer comparing computer science at ISU versus UTD. You could ask about UTD vs. TAMU on the TAMU board.
@Beaudreau, Thanks again for the response! I have been reading through the many TAMU threads. Tons of information! One more question (if you don’t mind) concerning ISU… did your son join a fraternity? My son has absolutely no interest and is a bit turned off by the whole concept. It just isn’t his personality. The overall Greek participation number is pretty low considering the size of ISU especially when compared to Auburn. We were told that it was definitely not an issue at TAMU given the engineering students don’t have the time to participate in one. So just curious what it is like at ISU.
@1stCollBound - No my son did not join a fraternity and never had any interest. After two years in Martin Hall, he is living in a small house just south of campus with three friends, including his freshman roommate. My TAMU son also had no interest in a fraternity, although his roommate freshman year (chemical engineering) did join one.
When we visited Alabama, it seemed like fraternities were a pretty big deal. At Miami (Ohio), where my middle son is finishing up, fraternities are very popular, but he never had any interest.
DS2 is at ISU, a freshman in food science and honors program, and really likes it. We are from TN, looked at UTK, Nebraska, and ISU, also got into UMNTC but when we went to visit, decided upon seeing campus that was to place to be. ISU doesn’t have much rep here in TN, but I could not be happier with how the school has approached and handled everything. DS1 is a junior at Purdue (CS), which we have also loved, so we do have experience with another school. PLenty of on-campus housing (mty thing is why take on rent, etc., when you can be in a dorm and have it all handled for probably the last time until real world hits), fantastic advising, good career fairs, etc. Short flights on southwest for us (note: price gouging for Thanksgiving and spring break). Like the schedule-having a full week off for Thanksgiving and a month for Christmas has helped with the flights. We are big fans of the school.
DS3 is probably going into engineering, and I think overall I’d recommend ISU instead of Purdue based on student experience and what are probably waaaaaay less deflated grades, more bang for the tuition buck. (Purdue is fantastic but math and physics at Purdue are pretty rough).
@s16s18s21s25, thank you so much for posting your son’s experience at ISU and your perspective too. TAMU is currently my son’s top pick but without an OOS tuition waiver it just won’t be feasible/practical. And from everything we have read and heard the likelihood of getting a waiver is slim to none. ISU is his second choice (looking more and more like his first given the lack of waiver). He loved the campus and the town of Ames. The engineering kids that showed us around were very helpful and a wealth of information. There is just not nearly the info (on CC) on ISU as there is on TAMU, so I really appreciate your input (and @Beaudreau).
The various feedback has been helpful and encouraging! Hopefully others with experience or looking to attend will chime in at some point.
Honors, by the way, has a program that allows freshman to be matched up with a professor to do research in any area during freshman spring. My DS didn’t really pay attention or remember how we had discussed it and failed to sign up (ugh!!). But look at the first year honors program info on the site. He really liked his honors group and hopefully will be eligible to apply for honors for next year (need a 3.5 GPA to stay in).
@s16s18s21s25, Thanks for the post. My son just applied to the Honors College. ISU is looking like his first pick. He is hoping to get into the HC mostly for the research options. Thanks again for the info. Feel free to add more info! The various perspectives/experiences are so helpful. Thanks!