<p>Ok so it doesn't have to specifically be mechanical engineering, but what are the best engineering schools that ALSO have good scholarships. I live in indiana and have applied to Purdue, Rose Hulman, Ohio State, and Alabama. I applied to Alabama a while ago and got full tuition plus 2500. I just recently applied to the others so I'm unsure of what I'll receive. I also plan on applying to U of Texas Dallas because my brother lives there. I have a 4.1 weighted g.p.a and 1360 combined math and reading on the SAT. I know what colleges are the best for engineering I just want to know the good ones with good scholarships. Also, what are your thoughts on Alabama? I like the idea of living in Alabama, but would suffering through five more winters at Purdue be worth it? What if I don't get a good scholarships from Purdue? Is it worth saving the money and going to U of A? Thanks everyone!</p>
<p>With the screenname “motorhead,” are you interested in car design or similar? </p>
<p>What is your career goal?</p>
<p>edit…</p>
<p><<<
I look to major in mechanical and work with motorcycles/cars/planes etc…
<<<</p>
<p>Students in the program will first complete two years of engineering and German language course work at The University of Alabama, as well as an internship the summer before their sophomore year with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Vance, Alabama.</p>
<p>The students will then travel to Hochschule Esslingen for one semester of course work and one semester of professional practice during their junior year.</p>
<p>Mercedes-Benz is not the only consumer in the program. Other industries in the Esslingen area include Daimler, Bosch and Behr.</p>
<p>Balasubramanian said the mission of the exchange program is to prepare students for the variety of German and multinational companies in the southeastern United States.</p>
<p>“The students work as interns in a German automotive company or supplier,” he said. “They get a deep insight into how a German company works, and we hope that when the students come back from their year abroad that they then go to work for a German multinational in Alabama or the Southeastern region.”</p>
<p>Ideally motorcycles, i’ve been riding them forever and am starting racing. but i like cars, trucks, planes etc…Also love working on the farm and want to live on one if that means anything. I’d prefer to have an interactive job more than a cubicle job.</p>
<p>That’s interesting I appreciate it. So it sounds like they do a lot to make sure you aren’t just doing paper and pencil work.</p>
<p>Full tuition plus $2500 is hard to pass up under any circumstances. 'Bama is as good as any of those on your list (or, at least none of those are significantly better). Plus if you don’t like Indiana winters… </p>
<p>Thanks NROTCgrad. I just constantly hear how great Purdue is and how they are ranked really high for engineering and saw Alabama ranked at like 102. I’m just unfamiliar with Alabama’s engineering program, where I have been to Purdue many times while my brother attended. Maybe an actual visit to the school will help. After all I’m not intending to get a Ph.D or anything, just need a solid engineering education that’ll get me a job virtually wherever I please. I just hope to get a job that I’m passionate about, not designing microwave ovens (although I’m sure there are people fine with designing microwave ovens, it’s just not my thing).</p>
<p>Can you visit Alabama? If so, come to the Alabama forum and we’ll tell you how to have the Honors College set up your day…also you need to apply to the HC.</p>
<p>What’s the link to the Alabama forum? I have done nothing beyond being accepted and my dad plans on taking a trip during Spring to Alabama, but I may go with some friends in the fall and make a camping trip out of it. Also what are advantages and disadvantages to the honors college?</p>
<p>I live in Indiana. I know several kids who have gone to Purdue. If they try to get you to take the honors courses after they give you a big scholarship, be wary.</p>
<p>Have you thought of Trinity U in San Antonio, TX? They give generous scholarships and are highly regarded in TX. Your brother probably knows of it.</p>
<p>Thanks I’ll ask him if he’s familiar with it. I think I’ve heard it mentioned online a few times.</p>
<p><a href=“University of Alabama - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-alabama/</a></p>
<p>There are no disadvantages of being in Alabama’s Honors College. There are several advantages! :)</p>
<p>Priority Registration…a biggie!
Eligible for Honors Housing
Honors classes within your major dept …but also in the HC, very fascinating small classes.
Honors college social activities
plus other advantages. </p>
<p>US News ranks Purdue at #62 nationally, with Alabama at #88.
Forbes ranks Purdue at #119 and 'Bama at #335. (Forbes mixes in all the small schools along with big ones)</p>
<p>But that is for the schools overall. Since Purdue is mostly about engineering and technology, and Alabama is less so, it is hard to know how big the gap is between the engineering departments. Do I think Purdue is better? Yes. But not worth tens of thousands of dollars more. 'Bama’s engineering school is plenty good and constantly getting better. You want a solid engineering degree? 'Bama has it.</p>
<p>In any event, even if these rankings are relatively accurate, the full tuition makes up for it. IMO. :-? </p>
<p>Thanks mom2collegekids I’ll check it out tomorrow! NROTCgrad yea it was the engineering specific ranks that were so different, but from what you said it sounds like the best decision is to see what money I’m offered from Purdue and decide whether it’s enough to keep me from taking Alabama’s offer.</p>
<p>What does Purdue’s scholarship page suggest that you’ll get?</p>
<p>The 2015 US News Best Colleges also has rankings (all ABET accredited) for top programs at engineering schools whose highest degree is a bachelor’s or master’s, and a separate list where highest degree is a doctorate - and each of these has ‘best in the specialties’ for the top five for each specialty. </p>
<p>There are many fine programs. Visiting potential programs but be sure to get all applications in for deadlines with the high possibilities - for scholarship deadlines too. </p>
<p>Sometimes stats also lag - the engineering rankings are with peer assessment. Currently, Va Tech, TAMU, Johns Hopkins all tie at 15, Northwestern at 13, and UT, Princeton and Cornell tie at 10 for top eng school whose highest degree is a doctorate. Some of these schools come immediately to mind with ‘strong eng program’ while others are ‘hugh?’ - strong school, but you don’t hear about their eng program because of other strong programs.</p>
Sorry for the delayed response, I was recently accepted to Purdue but haven’t received a scholarship offer yet. I expect between 4-8k per year from Purdue. So Purdue cost= Around 12 to 16k yearly Alabama cost= 12,856 per year (room and board minus 2500 from eng. department scholarship). Now that i crunched the numbers (if I did so correctly) it seems a lot closer in price. I’m visiting Alabama in the spring and am attracted to the area itself, but the battle in my mind is when is it not worth the few thousand for the large gap between engineering dept. ranking. I despise Indiana winters but a top ranked eng. dep is sweet to employer ears. Please correct me if I’m wrong on any of my statistics!
Purdue does have one disadvantage – all engineering students start in the “first year engineering” program, complete the required prerequisite courses, and are then admitted to engineering majors by GPA. Most students do get into their first choice major, however.
Interesting, I didn’t know that, but it said 98 percent get into their first choice so I wouldn’t be too worried. If I’m in the bottom 2% chances are I’d be dropping out of engineering anyways. Alabama’s first year in ME consists of introduction to mechanical engineering, engineering foundations, and engineering design so it dives right into mechanical. Also a question I have is whether as a ME major I’ll have to do any programming? My dad keeps nagging me to do some programming before college while I’d rather work on my truck/motorcycle.
Engineering majors often have a computing for engineering course (or that content embedded in some other course), usually using MATLAB. You may want to check the courses and curricula for your major at your various schools. If not, check if there is free elective or technical elective space in the schedule to take some introductory CS courses.
Closest thing I found in Alabama curriculum for ME was engineering design which I’m unsure if it involves any programming. I wouldn’t try to enroll in any CS classes that I don’t have to take because i don’t have much interest in it, even in a family of electrical and software engineers.