<p>I’m entering a 5 year, all year-round engineering program at the University of Louisville (JB Speed School of Engineering). The program includes 3 semesters of internship and culminates in a Master’s of Engineering degree (ABET Accredited). I am majoring in mechanical engineering and a Bachelor’s of Science would be achieved after a bit less than 4 years in this program but it is not ABET accredited. </p>
<p>I have a good financial deal at U of Louisville and it is convenient (I live here). However, I would like to challenge myself and get into a better engineering school. I am afraid that if I transfer, my credits could get left behind. </p>
<li> How can I check if future classes I take can transfer to different Universities (just call up and ask?)?</li>
<li> Would it be smarter to apply for graduate school somewhere else after I have gotten a degree from U of Louisville (BS or Master’s)? I am assuming credits will be sure to transfer if I do this since they would respect the degree?</li>
<li> Lastly, would it make more sense to stay for another year to get the ABET accredited master’s degree and then go to graduate school somewhere else?</li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>Sorry if my post doesn’t really fit this forum…</p>
<p>Transferability of credits: Ask the transfer counselors at UofL and at the universities that interest you how they calculate transfer credits. In Maryland, there is a website that will show you which courses transfer from one of the coleges/universities in the state to another. Maybe your state has one like this.</p>
<p>Grad school: At this point transferability of credits don't matter, because you aren't transfering. You are applying to a graduate program. This means that your grades, the specific courses you have taken, any research you have been involved in, and your letters of recommendation matter. You can get into terrific grad schools from just about anywhere on the planet given that your grades and recommendations are good.</p>
<p>M.Eng.: These often are only one year long anyway, and many people do complete them right after their BS. If you are set on a mech. eng. degree, and you can do it inexpensively at UofL, this looks like a good way to get it done. In the end (i.e. when it comes to getting a paying job) your performance on your internships will be critical. Try to locate good ones, and do your best.</p>
<p>What other kind of grad program are you thinking of? Ph.D.? Do you need that degree for the job you want?</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. I am thinking about a PhD. I don't know if I will "need" it for the job I want but I'd like to learn about and explore my field before entering the workforce. I've got several years to think about that though...</p>
<p>As for graduate programs, I was thinking that I would be better off at a more prestigious university with more research grants and facilities In graduate school you start to specialize and, from compared U of Louisville to other top tier engineering schools, I think I would have more opportunities at other schools. </p>
<p>Also, you mentioned that I could get into great grad schools with recommendations and good grades. However, aren't extracurricular activities important as well? Wouldn't research experience also be a bonus in an application to a grad school?</p>
<p>fatsheep, I suggest you post this question on the Engineering forum here on cc. There are a lot of knowledgeable posters there.</p>
<p>My (less informed) thought: what is job placement like from ULouisville? If Engineering grads in your field end up with good job placements, I'd be inclined to suggest you stay where you are for the good financial deal on the MSME. Then you could apply for PhD after a bit of time on the job; some employers will pay for some or all of your grad school. </p>
<p>Of course if you just want to go directly for the PhD without employment in between, my thoughts may not apply.</p>
<p>Also do a bit of a lookaround on the Grad School forum here on cc. My impression is that, while some schools have great track records as feeder schools to top grad schools, a lot of times the "big fish in small pond" or great-student-in-lesser-known-school can work in your favor. </p>
<p>I don't think ECs play into this as much as they do for freshman college admissions. I do think that research experience is a definite bonus along with having some summer jobs/internships in your field. If you will be a standout student at ULouisville, that could help you on both of these scores.</p>
<p>Also, once you are there, take a look at where your profs got their degrees. Visit prof ofc hours of any who have degrees from schools you'd like for grad school. Get to know them and let them get to know you; see if you can assist in their research. Prof-to-prof grapevine is, I think, a big factor in grad school admissions.</p>
<p>Good luck. Enjoy your new experience at ULouisville.</p>
<p>I just took a look, out of curiosity, at the faculty listings for ULouisville in Mech E. There are some stupendous credentials there; I'm impressed. So I just want to emphasize getting to know your profs, doing as well as you can in your courses (I know Engineering can be tough!) and using these profs as mentors to guide you.</p>
<p>I'm not sure how I would compare job placement at U of L to other schools. However, they do have a co-op program that has been around for a while and is known in the area. Thanks for the advice. :)</p>