<p>I am a current sophomore at the University of Vermont. I am mechanical engineering major. I love my major and certainly want to stick with it. I like Vermont and have fun here, but I feel like I could be a lot happier somewhere else. I have a 3.0 after my first 2 semesters, 3.6 HS GPA and SAT's around 1250 (1600 scale).</p>
<p>I like the mountains and the lakes so I love all the fishing and skiing UVM has nearby. So that may be something I look for in a new school. I think the size of UVM is good for me (~12,000 undergrads). I just don't like many of the people here. Something a bit more conservative and less...hippy for a lack of a better term. UVM is also a bit expensive for me, especially if I end up losing some merit money I was originally given. </p>
<p>What I am looking for....</p>
<p>Something closer. I am from Maryland and a 10+ hour car ride is a bit much. So somewhere in the Mid-Atlantic or Southeast but not too far south.
Competitive varsity sports to cheer teams on.
Club and intramural sports for me to play, preferably hockey.
Mid or large size.
I certainly like to have fun on weekends but get work done during the week. Greek life is not a must though.
An ABET accredited engineering school is a must.
Preferably under $35000 a year.
Not in a super urban area, I would like to have a clear campus.
And if I could continue to hunt or fish in the area that would be awesome but not critical.</p>
<p>Any suggestions at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance</p>
<p>Cool thanks for the list, I will begin checking it out. I highly considered UDel, but ended up choosing UVM probably for the mountains. Do schools like that you previously applied?</p>
<p>F&M and American do not have engineering.
Have you looked into Virginia Tech? </p>
<p>If you need an assured safety, maybe West Virginia University? Good school spirit, awesome hiking, conservative student body, and a huge party school. You’ll get into WVU although I don’t know how its academics compare to UVM.</p>
<p>To Whenhen…
I also applied to VA Tech, it was my next choice. It looks more enticing every day now. Will I have trouble getting into VA Tech now that my GPA has fallen with the tough engineering courses the past few semesters?</p>
<p>I have no idea. I’m not familiar with VA Tech’s transfer policies, although I know that a 3.0 will get you into WVU (I briefly considered the school as a transfer safety with a GPA only slightly higher than your own).</p>
<p>Most schools allow engineering transfers although some states may have their systems set up to specifically reward CC or directional college transfers (see California). I’d google transfer admission and whatever schools you’re considering. </p>
<p>Generally speaking, colleges, especially public ones, don’t care if you’ve already applied to them as a transfer unless you falsified your application the first time around. </p>
<p>Another school you may want to consider is NCSU. It’s about 4.5 hours from MD and falls under your price limit. Supposedly Towson in MD also has a robust engineering department.</p>
<p>Awesome, thanks for all the suggestions. This has been very helpful From what I have gathered I am thinking …
UMD - College Park
VA Tech
U Delaware
Clemson
NC State</p>
<p>Any thoughts as to what my be better than another, or any additional?</p>
<p>I’d recommend taking Clemson off of your list. It costs far more than $35,000 per year. University of Delaware also seems to cost around $4500 more than you can afford (I assume that off campus housing is cheaper than the dorms). </p>
<p>I’d also add one more safety given that you barely meet the minimum requirements for UMD* although I doubt you’d get rejected from NC State, and VA Tech. If you’re fine with staying at UVM, you don’t need a safety, however it sounds like you’re not. As far as safeties go, WVU and Towson both qualify although you may like these options less than Vermont. </p>