<p>My son is a junior at a large public school that does not send kids to Ivy's etc. He is a 4.0 uw student with an interest in possible petroleum eng but he also wants to continue in marching band. He is really talented in music and plays the mellophone and clarient. Just from some online searches I know there are not many schools that offer pet. eng. He has yet to take the SAT but his PSAT from sophmore year was 1130 (m+cr). He did study over the summer for the PSAT that ws just given. I really don't know how high he can bring it up but I would think from his math ability he can get at least a 700 in math when he takes the SAT in the spring.</p>
<p>We are Virginia residents but he is okay with anywhere in the country. We will not get need based aid but really would like to get some merit. He has other great EC and I know he can get good recommendations.</p>
<p>I guess my question is does anyone have any suggestions for schools and/or should he just stick with mechanical for now and look at Va tech or UVA. Thanks. This forum has really helped me as I know nothing about engineering. I do have another child in college now but she is a liberal arts type of kid and my son is all scince and math.</p>
<p>LSU and A&M come to mind. Both have some pretty major bands as well as petroleum departments, and both bands are woodwind/brass so your son can continue with either mellophone or clarinet if he wants. Maybe some merit-based aid for band… Not sure.</p>
<p>For a strict military marching corps (he’d have to join the Corps of Cadets, which really isn’t for everyone…), A&M. For a more traditional marching band, LSU. Both are very strong in petroleum engineering, so I’d say it comes down to which band environment he’d rather be in.</p>
<p>Texas Tech and Univ. of Texas both have petroleum engineering and great (HUGE) marching bands. I was in the Tech band (back in late 70’s-early 80’s) and have a niece who was in the Longhorn band in the past few years. Petroleum engineering is probably fairly common at universities in Texas due to the petrochemical industry here.</p>
<p>Anywhere in the Big 12 South would be an option, as they all have big football programs (aka big marching bands) and most of them offer petroleum engineering. In case you aren’t familiar with athletic conferences, the Big 12 south is Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor and Texas Tech. I know that all of them except Baylor offer Petroleum Engineering (Baylor might, but I don’t honestly know) and the schools run the gamut as far as their selectivity goes. Either way, that region is the petroleum capital of the U.S. so that is where most of the good schools for that are.</p>
<p>I think someone was using hyperbole when they told you that. There are a lot more people who work in Big Oil than there are in the NBA, so… I know plenty of people who work for those companies. I’m looking out the window and I’m seeing buildings filled with people who work for those companies.</p>
<p>(Of course, I’m on the 11th floor of a skyscraper in downtown Houston right now, but… still.)</p>
<p>It wasn’t that hard for me to get an internship at one of those companies when I was doing my undergrad, so I think you need to check your facts there jay.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses. My son actually is liking Texas Tech at the moment and LSU is part of a program called the common market. As Virginia residents, we are entitled to instate tuition because we do not have that program in our state. I think there are 14 states involved in this program. I am aware of the fine programs Rice has (that would be my choice) but I am not sure he can get in. I also have concerns about keeping up in engineering and being part of a serious marching band. Keep the comments coming they are all useful.</p>
<p>I am a former member of Goin’ Band 2003-2006, and most of the members (75%) are non majors. I personally know several engineering majors who were 4 year members. Won’t lie, it wasn’t easy for them but they did well.
Goin’ Band was probably the best few years of my life, and we met my maid-of-honor and best man in the Goin’ Band. You spend the first week in summer band, and going to your first day of class with a built in friend base is amazing.</p>
<p>I’ll add in USC to your list. We’ve got a dedicated petroleum engineering program which is quite well regarded, and a great marching band that gets a lot of unique performance opportunities, along with the shows at football games of course.</p>
<p>No matter where you go, you’re going to have to manage your time well if you want to do engineering and marching band. But it is definitely possible, about a third of USC’s band is made up of engineers, and some of them are also in fraternities/sororities, ROTC, etc.</p>