I’ve been going to a local California college with adequate rankings, but I’d like to transfer to a better ranked college with a better college environment (both socially and cosmetically). While the college I am attending is expanding, the engineering department is old, unranked, becoming quite rundown and is now very focused on space engineering (satellites). It feels almost like jail with cinder block walls and exposed pipes. I’m looking for a college that is clean, focuses on undergrads as well as grads (I’d like most classes taught by a real professor), and has great entrepreneurial opportunities. I am a conservatarian and proud to be one. I’m not afraid to debate professors or students if they attack my beliefs (so I am hoping the school’s staff isn’t too liberal or I’ll build an army against me). I don’t attack people with my ideas, but I’m not afraid to defend myself. I’ve gotten As in every college class so far, so getting into the school shouldn’t be a problem. I’m trying to complete every recommended class for transfer students, so I’m hoping I don’t run into problems there either. Anyways, CalPoly SLO if ranked in the top 5 undergraduate schools where no doctorate is offered, and I’ve been to the campus and liked it, but I know people who go there that have run into some big problems with their roommates doing drugs and getting drunk and partying all the time. I don’t drink, nor would I ever do any drugs, so if many students are like that, I don’t know that I’d be able to focus on school and have a good experience with friends (who don’t get high and drunk all the time).
My dream is to be an engineer focused on science research and innovation, so which school would be better?
I know UT is ranked top 10 for undergraduate where doctorate is offered, but I know it is very liberal. What is the atmosphere like? Compared to SLO, is this ranking better or worse?
I know in order to make it as a research scientist you need to go to the right schools or find something amazing right out of college. This is why I am so reliant on rankings.
What about A&M? What are the facilities like? What are the people like? What about the city and rankings? I believe Texas A&M is ranked top 15 colleges, but the name seems to be established well.
Should I be looking at Ivy Leagues or is the name of these colleges above better established in engineering (I figured the latter). What other college should I be considering? I also don’t want a college that is so difficult that I can’t have a life for the next few years. I’m willing to work hard, and on many weekends, but not all the time.
Lastly, I’ve been wanting to live in Texas for years now, so that’s why I’ve chosen to compare the schools above.
Thank you all in advance!