Then you need to look even more in depth at the Spanish curriculum and the study abroad opportunities (at some universities, you can’t study abroad if you’re studying engineering. At others there are no study abroad programs where you can take stem classes through direct enrollment…)
Have you taken AP Spanish? AP Spanish Literature?
It’s typically easy to minor in a foreign language if you have a typical major but Engineering makes it more difficult to add a minor - not impossible, especially with lots of advanced credits, but worth checking.
@intparent I’ve been admitted to UW Madison, UW Platteville, Valpo, Tech, Twin Cities, Iowa State, University of Iowa, MSOE, and Marquette University. I’m from Wisconsin. I figured out pretty quickly that I prefer a smaller school but I still do love football and other events like that. I only applied to so many because I had no idea where I wanted to go
If costs were the same UW Madison should not be overlooked. It has an incredible and growing national reputation. School, sports and outdoor scenery/hiking opportunities within reasonable distance. Plus Madison is a plus in my book.
My partner is a MT grad. He is a retired General (only state this because it’s hard to do and competitive. MT was a benefit for him. ). He has a great technical background. He does mention the UP is a lot like northern Maine. Long winters and long drives to anywhere. But he thought it was great.
Don’t know Valpo other than its basketball team that always seems to have a lot of school spirit. Don’t know the opportunities or the location.
@privatebanker thank you so much for the input! I have considered Madison a lot. Many of my friends go there and love it. I’m not a fan of the huge class sizes and huge campus. I have been there many times and never had an “at home feeling.” Other than that, it’s amazing and I love visiting there. Gotta love the Badgers!
I am going to throw it out there – Purdue has rolling admissions, has internships, and is ranked #8 in engineering by S News & World Report. It’s also big so you may not like it. It may have more of an “at home feeling” for you because it is mostly or maybe even all STEM kids.
@katrina1 I also applied to Purdue but decisions don’t come out until January 15th!! If I get accepted, I’ll check it out. Some of my friends go there, too. They love it but say it’s a lot of stress.
Purdue has a very innovative president who previously was the governor of Indiana. He is working to keep costs down at Purdue and also to introduce innovative ways for students to graduate without a lot of debt.
Michigan Tech may have a cost advantage over Purdue in terms of tuition and probably scholarships, but you may be able to take a little longer to get through Purdue and have both a lot of work experience and little debt. Also, do consider how you will get to Michigan Tech. It is a four hour drive from Duluth, MN. One of my concerns about having a kid attend college there is the safety of driving over winter break through very sparsely populated areas. I’m not sure there is a lot of public transportation available even around school breaks.
I hauled my daughter to both Purdue and Michigan Tech. She ended up applying to neither school because she is not set on being an engineer. In the end, you will benefit from all your searches because you will figure out what works best for you. Good luck!
If you are still open to options and you have a very solid GPA you may want to consider a University where engineers do study abroad and where every student receives $5,000 in financial aid aid to do so. Like Michigan Tech, it is in a colder climate, unlike Michigan it has a smaller 80 acre campus in a residential setting, but everything is on campus. About 60% percent of the students major in engineering with an undergraduate enrollment of 4,177. About 45% of the last two entering classes have been women.
WPI has a unique project requirement called the IQP which is often done abroad and Engineers Without Boarders is a big thing. When I was a student there I ran x-country and later ran everywhere with an informal group called the “footpounders.” Over 40% of the students are in Fraternities or Sororities ergo the majority are not. The fraternal organizations usually have their own housing and dinning facilities at a lower cost than the dormitories when food is included.
WPI is expensive, but is still striving to reach par with the male/female ratio. The FA awarded stays with you for the four years. They are not likely to exceed your demonstrated need.