I’ve been accepted to both colleges and I’m not sure which college i should attend. Hamilton was my top choice and I’m probably going to enroll but unfortunately, it doesn’t offer engineering on its campus and the CS department isn’t very good(I believe they’re short of professors). I was originally planning to major in physics and was considering CS seriously as well, but I’m not totally sure that I don’t want to major in engineering and I’m not sure that I should waste this opportunity. If I pursue engineering, it will be mechanical so that I can make a transition to Aerospace in PhD. But I like research in physics more I guess. Hamilton offered a better financial aid (no loans). What’s your advice? and does it matter if the CS program is ABET accredited? (the one at Laf is)
OP this is not to be taken as advice but as encouragement for your decision whichever way you go. Congrats – two fantastic choices!
A no-loans package is a great option and Hamilton is a higher ranked school; however Lafayette also seems very solid. It would be much more structured with a “gateway” approach in comparison to Hamilton’s open curriculum.
After four years at Lafayette, you can go straight into engineering. Hamilton does have a 2-1-1-1 program with Thayer engineering at Dartmouth. I know that 3-2 programs are overrated simply because so many students start off planning to do it but then realize that they want to graduate from their class. S and dad visited Thayer to ask about the 2-1-1-1 (He is also interested in physics, but not CS). It seems that more students do actually follow through, especially those from small liberal arts schools that do not offer engineering. However I don’t know how the fifth year would be financed – I believe but am not sure that you would be considered a transfer at Dartmouth – so you would need to give that serious consideration.
Please keep us posted – those are two of our son’s top choices as well. We visited both schools last week. You can’t go wrong at either.
Yes, I know about the combined engineering program, and the problem is that for the fifth year, I’ll have to pay for food and rent outside campus (there’s no place on campus) along with part of the tuition (Dartmouth told me that financial aid for the fifth year never reaches full tuition) This is a huge problem for me because I cannot afford it. Someone told me that I should expect to pay around $20,000 for the fifth year if I’m lucky.
Oh wow. Then that does make a difference.
Then again we are assuming that “someone told me” is a credible resource. For example the part about finding food and rent during a junior year school exchange does not sound right. But I do get your concern.
Looking at the whole picture then can you add up your four years (five if you do Hamilton and Dartmouth) and look at it as a package deal? Have you run net price calcs for all case scenarios, like if a sibling enrolls/graduates, etc?
Again, Lafayette is a wonderful school, and if it fits your career goals and your finances, you ae looking ahead to a happy four years.
He’s someone at Hamilton who did a lot of research about the program because he was planning to pursue it. I’m not sure though. What case scenarios? I’m not sure that I understand what you mean.
In terms of pure physics and mathematics and the prospect of engineering, Hamilton could be a great choice, and, as you would know by now, Hamilton CS students can code (http://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/comp-sci-department-hosts-college-computing-conference). However, considering the range of your uncertainty regarding programs and financing, Lafayette might be a choice you would feel more comfortable with at this time.
Lafayette gives your more flexibility since it has an engineering program, but its a tough choice.
By scenarios, I mean financial situation. For example, ours looks like this…
Year One: son #3 coincides with son #2 being an undergrad, financial aid is XX and loans are __
Year Two: son #3 is only student enrolled as undergrad, financial aid is now only X and loans are __
Year Three: daughter #1 comes off our taxes as a dependant, financial aid is now less than X and loans are __
Year Four: youngest siblings arrive at college age. Financial aid is XXX and loans are __ .
Year Five? Dartmouth? You may save $20 K by not taking loans at Hamilton – and then have to take out that much in private loans for the fifth year. It is important to know what you are facing.
Of course, things happen (parent losing job, etc) but not looking at all four years means your family is even more unprepared.
There are schools on our list which were affordable for Year One but not for the following years So I run figures and add them up for a complete picture. It would be awful to start off at a school that at first seems affordable, and then have to transfer one you realize your family can’t maintain it.
In this case, there will be no difference. I have no siblings who attend (or will attend) US colleges for undergraduate education.