<p>I originally posted yesterday...thought I should add more today, but for some reason my old account wasn't working so I had to use my brothers old one. </p>
<p>I narrowed my choices down to rutgers, tcnj, and udel. I'm down to the wire and can't decide between the three. I want to study civil engineering, although it could change. My brother is a business major at udel and loves it. I really like the campus and dorms at udel and my brother has said good things about the professors. TCNJ is also a great campus, but much smaller, meaning more facetime with professors (but my brother says he never has problems meeting with professors at udel). Rutgers of course is huge and has no real central campus.</p>
<p>Does anyone have an opinion on which school as the best reputation for engineering and the best opportunities for research etc.? Overall, which do you think will provide the best experience? By the way, all three colleges would be about the same price for me because I got $7,000 from udel and $2,000 at Rutgers. Also, I got into the Honors College at Rutgers. </p>
<p>ANY INPUT AT ALL WOULD BE WELCOME</p>
<p>Tom, I have very limited knowledge, but can tell you that my daughter's best friend went to Rutgers and LOVED it. She is also an introvert of sorts but still thrived in the no-campus environment.</p>
<p>I am sure that someone with more knowledge related to your specific questions will happen along soon...</p>
<p>how would you feel about being at the same school as your brother? I know one of my friends was a little apprehensive about the prospect.</p>
<p>I do not know a thing about the 3 schools, but having twins who still have not made a decision I would "throw in" the following food for thought:
1. HOw important is it to you to have professors who know you by name and are regularly available. At some schools, students have professors' cell phone #'s and have dinner at their homes at least once a semester. For some kids this is a big part of their comfort level in transition from HS to college + it can be nice to have a professor as mentor.<br>
2. You say you might switch majors from civil engineering-do all the schools you are considering have other majors ( even in non-engineering) you would like to pursue? Check out departments and professor's websites.
3. Check out USNWR for rankings on engineering programs-DH has an engineerng undergrad. degree and is a patent attorney-he believes USNWR is pretty valid.
4. Being at a school with your brother might make the transition to college a little easier in terms of a number of things-that would depend on how well you get along, etc. I think going to school with a friend or having someone you know at a school can make freshman transition a bit easier for some kids.5. finally, we are telling our kids that transferring after a year is always an option. Somehow, knowing that a decision can always be reversed ( if after being a school #1) may help you be comfortable in making a decision.
Good luck-I think kids that are still trying to decide are showing resolve ( for most part) to make a choice that feels right for them-good luck in making decision that is right for you!</p>