So far I have visited and love the school, but how likely is it that I can get a job within the four years till I graduate? I’m interested in engineering
Not a top, big name school, but certainly a recognized, respected name in engineering. USN has it at #13 of schools that don’t offer an Engineering Doctorate - so probably a top 50 school overall.
Engineering majors are very employable, so I imagine their placement numbers are quite good. I’m sure you can ask them.
Just my opinion as a former engineer who did engineering school searches for my D three years ago.
It really, truly, is OK for you to contact the career center at Lafayette (and at any other college or university on your list) and find out where students with your potential major get internships and jobs.
Lafayette is an excellent school and the job outlook for Engineers is also excellent. I don’t think you will have any problems.
My D graduated from Laf a few years ago (she had an absolutely amazing experience there). My D was not an engineering student but was friends with a number of them – and they all seemed to have no problems getting good jobs for internships and after graduation. I second the suggestion that you contact career services if you want more information.
I was an engineering student and had no problems getting a job at a well known corporation. They recruited for internships at Lafayette and I got one the summer before senior year. I had my permanent offer by Thanksgiving of my senior year. Lots of top companies interview there for engineers.
I am a current student at Lafayette - while I am not an engineering major, I know many (it is one of the most popular majors). The engineering students I know have all completed internships at major companies, and two of my senior friends had already signed job offers at the start of their senior years. The types of companies that recruit also depend on the type of engineering.
Lafayette is actually well known in engineering.
And a top 50-100 school in the USA out of the 1000s available to make it prestigious. People from around the world would be thrilled beyond words with an opportunity like that for an engineering degree from Lafayette.
Asking posters in CC this question is different than asking the world or engineering employers.
If you love it. And it’s affordable for you. And you’re accepted. Run, don’t walk, towards the opportunity.
Don’t focus on prestige for engineering.
I don’t know much about Lafayette other than website info. With a middle 50% ACT range of 30-34, the student body is highly capable and motivated. It would be a complete anomaly for Lafayette to NOT produce good engineers.
Also, “91% of Lafayette students graduate, 89% within 4 years“. Very good.
There are so many options for engineering, but definitely pursue this if you know you already love it.
@arianaflores Lafayette has a very good reputation as an engineering school. My wife graduated from LC in chemical engineering and never had any problem getting a job. She also got a masters in engineering from CMU with her LC engineering degree.
A really cool thing about engineering at Lafayette that is different from the larger public universities is that you can get your engineering degree but you still have the advantages of a small liberal arts college … small classes, classes being taught by professors not TA’s; professors who will know your name and will genuinely be infested in the students getting the best education possible.
As @privatebanker said above if you love the school and you can afford it “run don’t walk toward the opportunity”
Good luck to you.
I had a similar concern when I was first looking for college. Being from outside the tri-state area Lafayette has little to know name recognition where I am from. However, now as a current junior engineer I have been able to see the power of the alumni connections, strength of the career services program, and the ability of student to get into graduate schools and get job. Many fortune 500 companies (including exxon and air products to name a couple) specifically come to Lafayette to recruit engineers. Alumni are welcoming students into there work places for career exploration programs such as externships and come back to do on campus interviews for full time and internship positions.
For engineering, would you recommend it over Drexel, UPitt or PSU?
As a LAC Lafayette presents a very different experience/environment than the other options you listed. Where do you think you will thrive?