mechanical engineering colleges

College Search & Selection
21

Add Rose Hulman (Indiana) to your list. Not only will your daughter get accepted, but she will likely get merit aid. She will be closer to the top of her class than the middle. Rose Hulman consistently ranks among the top engineering schools whose terminal degree is a bachelors. The school is smaller than many on your list and because there is limited graduate study, most of the focus is on undergraduate students (more research opportunities, closer relationships with professors, etc.)

Worth a look.

22

Another place to consider that is very different is Olin College of Engineering. Every admitted student gets a half tuition scholarship. Need-based aid is stack on top of that and Olin meets need. The caliber of the students is equal to that at any top school, but the culture is unique and different. Students work incredibly hard, but they are also generally very happy. It is small and project based with terrific outcomes. There are lots of opportunities for kids who like robotics and, if she likes that area, she will find lots of kindred spirits.

We also liked some of the other small engineering schools, too, (Rose Human, WPI) and they may offer a high-performing girl merit aid equal to at least half tuition or more.

23

I would take a careful look at the diversity data for Rose Hulman - it is 70+% male and 70%+ Caucasian. That did not appeal to my daughter (or our family).

24

What do you all think of Drexel? Thanks.

25

Worcester Polytechnic Institute - school’s female president has been making a concerted effort to tilt the gender balance - last year’s incoming class was 42% female. Merit money, unique study abroad program, cool campus vibe where tech meets humanities (surprising music/theater scene). Our daughter will attend in the fall as a biotechnology major - received 27K/year in merit.

26

These facts may be helpful as you select a college and a major.

The average accepted salary for the 72% of BSME graduates from WPI in the class of 2018 was $66,708.
The average accepted salary for the 81% of BSRE graduates from WPI in the class of 2018 was $78,371.

WPI actually has a BS program in Robotics which is somewhat uncommon. The above numbers tell a story which we do not often hear discussed by Universities which do not offer the robotics major at the BS level. The WPI robotics program integrates much of the traditional ME coursework as it blends for robotics engineering.

Of the ME majors, 21% went directly on to graduate school at BU, Brown, Cornell, Stanford, UC Berkeley, U of Washington, Stanford, WPI et al.

Of the Robotics Engineering majors, 15% went directly on to graduate school at Carnegie Mellon, Johns Hopkins, U of Michigan, U of Utah, U of Waterloo, WPI et al.

To see the complete list of employers and results go to https://www.wpi.edu/student-experience/career-development and click on the PDF, 2018 Post Grad Report. ME results are found on page 45. Robotics Engineering is found on page 52.

About 42 to 43% of the last few classes entering WPI have been women. Women seem to strongly favor Biomedical, Biology and Biotechnology related majors. Only about a third of the other engineering majors are women unless you attend MIT or Caltech. Women are often well represented in areas relating to environmental studies.

If Robotics interest you, check out this major on the WPI website @ https://www.wpi.edu/academics/departments/robotics-engineering.

WPI has been striving for a more balance representation of women and seems to show some favorable FA in that area. The average GPA at WPI students is about 3.9 on an unweighted 4 scale.

WPI also has one of the very lowest loan default rates in the nation. I.E., they are able to pay back if necessary.

By the way, the women have a Rugby team! They are very strong in the area of Music minors and have a serious, full Symphony Orchestra. They have a small Pep band, but no marching band.

27

You diversity data is correct. Sadly, if women and people of color choose different schools because of this diversity data, then this diversity data will never change.

28

I second taking a look at Olin. They have a 50/50 male female split. A seriously unique approach to engineering education. Outstanding internship placement. You need to really be sure of your major as there are only 3 available: mech e, electrical & computer e, and e. The engineering degree is further broken down by concentration. Robotics is one of the most popular. They have co-curriculars taught by faculty that have nothing to do with engineering: Play With Clay, Bee Keeping, etc. Incredible student / professor interaction. And my daughter swears that the activation energy required to do anything new is practically zero.

Students can also cross register at Babson and Wellesley. Everyone is required to take a non technical concentration and often take some of those classes at the other schools. They can also participate in intramural sports at the other schools.

WPI has already gotten lots of love here so I won’t repeat, but certainly worth checking out.

One more. Rutgers, New Brunswick. With her stats, OPs daughter is highly competitive for honors college and significant scholarships including full ride.

29

For 2019 GT accepted less than 15% out of state. It is a reach school. Each year their admit rates are declining and mechanical engineering is one of the most popular majors. Many students are getting denied with outstanding stats from GT. They provide some scholarships such as Stamps but its extremely competitive. They are for the most part a loan only school.

30

If you put Olin on the list, you have to visit (in a perfect world, you’d go to every school under consideration). You really cannot appreciate how small Olin is until you drive in and park. For some its unique smallness is brilliantly refreshing and they feel an immediate pull. For others, that is a turn off. Prospective students have very polarized opinions.

I agree with all that’s been said about WPI. My son agonized between Cal Poly and WPI until 2 days before the deadline. I fear that even with the drive to accept more women and her high stats that the merit money might still not be enough. The good news is, UMD is in the bag. As long as she sees WPI (or any other school) as an equivalent but different option and doesn’t fall in love, there’s no down side to applying and seeing what sort of financial package she gets.

31

I fully agree with @eyemgh . Olin needs to be seen. Some love it, some can’t picture it. The admissions process is fairly unique and all candidates are required to attend a Candidates Weekend event to meet Oliners and for them to meet you.

I can’t wait to see where OP’s D ends up applying.

32

I am also going to be majoring in engineering next year and I have simaler stats to your D. 35 ACT 3.8 unweighted GPA w/t lots of AP and accomplished musician/ club leader. I am committed to Virginia Tech (debating waitlist offer though) and I would seriously consider VT if student happiness is a priority for her like it was for me.

33

How much would being a national merit semi finalist or finalist help in regards to scholarships/acceptance.

34

OP has stated that her daughter has full tuition at UW-Madison, and has toured the school and loves it. What is the purpose of all of these other recommendations?

@midwestmomma13 , is your question on NMF a general question? If so, NM has become a way for some schools to buy stats. University of Alabama, University of Kentucky, etc, full or near-full rides. Higher ranked schools may give token money for NM. Seems like something that would only be useful for your daughter if she were looking for the experience of going afar in addition to an engineering education.

35

The OP asked.

36

She has free tuition at Madison and hopefully she will get in, nothing is guaranteed. I was looking to see if maybe she could get full ride somewhere else. Free tuition does not equal a full ride.

37

Full rides are usually going to be competitive.

Regent’s scholarship at University of New Mexico stacks with the Amigo scholarship. https://scholarship.unm.edu/scholarships/non-resident.html

Ohio State Eminence or Morrill (Distinction)
http://undergrad.osu.edu/cost-and-aid/merit-based-scholarships

38

Given your situation, I agree with others that UW-Madison is a slam dunk. My only concern is the size of the place, which may or may not matter to your child. If it does matter, UW-Platteville could be a good safety to keep in your back pocket.

39

Have you tried the net price calculator for Rice University? https://financialaid.rice.edu/calculate-my-cost

“Beginning in fall 2019 under The Rice Investment, middle-income families with typical assets will receive grant aid to cover full tuition if they earn up to $130,000 per year, and half tuition for families earning between $130,001-$200,000. In addition, students with family incomes below $65,000 will receive grant aid covering not only their full tuition, but also all of their mandatory fees and room and board. Students receiving aid under The Rice Investment will have all demonstrated need met without any loans.” from https://financialaid.rice.edu/thericeinvestment

40

I say Go Badgers!

I agree that other UW system schools would be good safeties, like Platteville or Superior. they are all fun and even if your daughter isn’t into partying, Madison is a fun place.