My son is majoring in ME and will complete his AA at community college in Spring 2016, we are exploring ME schools for transfer. He would like to work (and intern or participate in research studies during his jr/sr years) in the sustainable energy field. He is not interested in working in a large corporation preferring an environment where there is less bureaucracy and more hands-on and variety of work and also more innovation. So far his list includes UCA San Diego, UCA Berkeley, UCO Boulder, UMass Amherst, UGA and UWI Madison - what are we missing? We need to target schools that will accept community college transfer with a GPA of 3.6 from an adult student (age 23).
Are you coming up with 55k from out-of-state tuition + housing/living?
I came up with the list by looking for schools with good ME programs doing research in sustainable/renewable energy, as well as decent admission rates (although that’s going off of general ones as transfer specific ones aren’t very obvious). I’m also applying to NJIT and Rutgers as less expensive, in-state options.
I’m her son, if you haven’t guessed by now (the internet is not that big of a place apparently).
@liliesngreen and @Ramapo2 Those OOS publics will have total COAs of $45k-60k per year, depending on the school, particularly for an older non-trad student who will not likely be living in a dorm.
Those Cost of Attendance (COA) costs include tuition, fees, room, board, books, misc expenses, travel costs.
What is your budget? How much will you and your family pay each year? Those OOS publics will not be handing over a bunch of aid to you.
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I'm also applying to NJIT and Rutgers as less expensive, in-state options.
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Don’t waste your time and money on schools that won’t likely admit you or won’t likely be affordable. The UCs are obligated to mostly accept instate transfers thru their TAG program with their Calif CCs. And unless you’ll pay their very high OOS costs if you are somehow admitted, why even waste an app?
Your COA is going to be important as to what is affordable.
If your cost is high for a match for exact type of program, gotta go with the ME degree first and way to finish. Can perhaps find internship or Co-op to get you where you want to go, or can help with your degree and then get where you want to go.
For admission opportunities, will need to check with school to see if can receive admission.
I would have my student finish at less expensive in-state option.
Briefly setting aside concerns about COA (but not for long, as M2CK might say. LOL) study/research in renewable or sustaniable engergy fairly broad. It could involve biofuels, it could involve electrochemistry (batteries) etc. Some schools do more of this kind of research than others. In the main, probably several ABET accredited programs can provide training in this field. And by the way, I’d guess that any STEM school would welcome a transfer student with your stats, if there is space in the class.
Getting back to cost, if your home state universities have what you’re looking for, and if COA is critically important, then you really shouldn’t look any further than your area STEM universities. That said, there are private universities and some lower cost state schools where significant financial aid is a possibility. Colorado, UMass and Wisconsin are likely not in that group, as far as OOSs are concerned.
The lower cost state schools I would consider are…
U Minnesota-Twin Cities
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Ohio University
U of South Carolina-Columbia
Missouri University of Science & Technology
Kansas State University conducts much research into sustainable energy and has had a great and very competitive REU in the field each summer for the past few years.
Private Schools…some privates have (had?) a reputation for generally being quite frugal with aid to transfers. So carefully scrutinize your target schools. I would think about…
Rose Hulman Institute
U of Rochester
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Rochester Institute of Technology
Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute
Washington University
U of Portland
Northeaster University
Co-op jobs are an integral part of academic study at RIT and NEU. That’s true at UVA Engineering also. There was an “urban legend” going around a few years ago that it was easier to be admitted to UVA Engineering than to other divisions of the university. Folks also believed that UVA was friendly to transfers. Check out their guaranteed transfer admission stipulations.
As far as budget, a lot of the schools would be out of reach without financial aid, (which would certainly be applicable in my case). The actual number would depend on available loans, how much debt I feel like accruing, and such, but around 20k for tuition (or less obviously) seems doable. I do realize that for basically all the out of state schools this would mean needing getting significant aid.
I’ve also considered moving to CA to work for a year to gain residency as a number of CA schools are doing work/research in this area.
Here’s my working list:
UC Berkely
Not likely I know but near if not at the top in terms of work in renewable/sustainable energy in the US.
UC San Diego
More achievable admissions wise, also a leader in work in this area.
UC Boulder
Lots of sustainable work, connected with NREL in Golden, apparently not so generous on aid according to LakeWashington.
UC Amherst
Doing work in this area - CEERE, apparently not so generous on aid according to LakeWashington.
Rensselear
Some good work in this area and a great school, obviously dependent on aid which might be possible according to LakeWashington.
Rutgers
Good school, pretty much certain I can get in and afford it.
NJIT
Ok school, pretty much certain I can get in and afford it.
Others:
GeorgiaTech (Great school, doing some sustainable work, but I don’t think I could get down to visit)
Colorado State (Seems like a good/ok school, doing some sustainable work, not as good as UC Boulder though)
Oregon State (Seems like a good/ok school, doing substantial sustainable work, not sure I could visit though)
Boston University (Just found this actually, lets you focus in r/e in any engineering major but mucho dinero)
Again, thank you all for the replies and thanks for the suggestions LakeWashington, it’s greatly appreciated. I’ll take a thorough look at them as well.
Well, Colorado State claims some of its traditional engineering departments (like Chemical Engr.) are the best in the state. UCBoulder and Colorado School of Mines probably disagree. I see more PhDs from CSM on Engr. faculty than I do from CSU. By the way, appointment to the NREL is very, very competitive.
Oregon State is more than OK. Engr. is very good at OSU. I know a student at RPI who received a great financial aid package, but that student is a varsity athlete.
Renewable energy is a very broad area, so it is hard to make suggestions without more specificity. Are your interests more specific yet? Energy generation? Solar? Wind? water? Alternative fuels for cars? As an OOS, the Colorado schools are very chintzy with aid of any kind looking to OOS students to be full payers as an income stream.
I mentioned NREL more to highlight that sustainable/renewable energy seems to be a large part of their focus. I’m not sure what you mean by appointment but I didn’t mean to imply anything more than the above.
Sorry, didn’t mean to seem negative on OSU, I’m limited to working with rankings, college websites, and other stuff I run into online which certainly limits my perception of schools.
There are some narrower areas of renewable energy that I’m interested in but honestly I want to be able to learn more about the field as a whole and get exposure to as many aspects of it as I can to better figure out what I’d want to focus on. I know that doesn’t help narrow things down any but it’s the truth.
I hear you on the Colorado schools, seems like they’ll probably be a more expensive venture than I’d care to fund.
In Calif, to become a resident for tuition purposes, you have to be there for 2 years first. You still won’t qualify for much FA there because they require that you have graduated from a Calif high school, which wouldn’t apply to you.
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As far as budget, a lot of the schools would be out of reach without financial aid, (which would certainly be applicable in my case). The actual number would depend on available loans, how much debt I feel like accruing, and such, but around 20k for tuition (or less obviously) seems doable. I do realize that for basically all the out of state schools this would mean needing getting significant aid.
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You can only borrow $7500 per year as a junior and senior. Once you’re 24, that increases by about $4k-5k per year. That still isn’t the $20k you mentioned.
Those OOS state schools aren’t going to give you money for undergrad. They charge high rates for a reason…your family doesn’t pay taxes there. Why would they bother to charge high rates if they’re going to cover them with FA??? That would make little sense.
Are you living at home now? If so, is there a NJ univ that you can commute to so that you can finish your degree w/o taking on debt?
It sounds like your interests may need a grad degree??? If so, then get your undergrad degree for cheap, and then go to grad school at one of those desired schools.
You might look at New Mexico Tech University (I may not have the name exactly right) but some of the NM schools are generous with merit.
Currently, the only ABET accredited Energy Systems engineering program is at Wyoming. It is in the ME department; take a look. Among other areas, they do lots of wind energy research - big surprise. And the University has money with lots of support from the state legislature, so they can choose to be more generous to OOS students. Laramie is 2 hours northwest of Denver or just get on I-80 for 1700 miles and take a right. And yes, there is a 24 hr diner when you exit. Jersey natives either seem to fall in love with Wyoming or freak out over the wide open spaces; there seems to be no in between reaction.
mom2collegekids -
Yes I could commute to either Rutgers or NJIT which would be good options. I would prefer to work as opposed to going for a masters, at least that’s my thought currently. As far as out of state schools, why do you think I wouldn’t be able to get any FA, I mean is there information that shows that? Not doubting what your saying, just trying to figure out where your coming from. I mean I realize that they would favor in-state but would it be that unheard of to get financial aid coming from out of state?
In the end I understand the likely outcome but I would rather try for better options than I have instate and not get admitted or not be able to afford them then not try at all and miss an opportunity. I’m aware of reality though. At least that’s what my imaginary friend Bob keeps assuring me.
goldensrock -
I was at the Grand Teton Science school for a few weeks when I was a kid. I love the west in general and Wyoming is spectacular. Of course they would be into wind energy, you’ve heard of a Wyoming wind sock right (I’m sure you have).
^^
Because most OOS publics don’t have enough aid for their OWN instate students.
If you qualify for any fed aid, you will get that, but that will be a drop in the bucket.
For example…here are the NPC results for a low income OOS student at UC Boulder
Your Estimated Total Cost of Attendance without Grant Aid $50,296.00 / yr
Estimated annual tuition and fees $31,378.00
Estimated room and board $11,730.00
Estimated books and supplies $1,800.00
Estimated other expenses (transportation, personal, etc.) $5,388.00
More
More Information on Grant Aid
Your Estimated Net Cost after Grant Aid $46,896.00 / yr <<===That is the net cost AFTER aid.
Estimated Grant Aid (typical range $3,100.00 to $3,400.00) $3,400.00
Percent of Full-time, First-time Students who received Grant Aid 31%
Tip: This net cost estimate is your approximate cost after grant aid. Grant aid is money that does not have to be paid back. Estimates of grant aid include federal aid programs and may include other need or merit aid.
More
More Information on Student Loans, Work Study and Other Aid
Your Estimated Net Cost after Grant Aid, Student Loans, Work Study and Other Aid $41,596.00 / yr
Estimated Subsidized Student Loans (typical range $3,500.00 to $3,500.00) $3,500.00
Estimated Other Aid (may include state or institution programs based on need or merit) $1,800.00
Tip: This net cost estimate is your approximate cost after grant aid. Grant aid is money that does not have to be paid back. Estimates of grant aid include federal aid programs and may include other need or merit aid.
More
@mom2collegekids - Wyoming’s OOS tuition this year is $15,600. First year OOS are eligible for as much as a $8,900 discount depending on GPA and test scores via the Rocky Mountain Scholars program for non-WUE states or a WUE scholarship for WUE states. OOS Children of alum are charged 150% of the in state rate without regard to grades or test scores, which this year is $6676. In state tuition is $4891, but WYO has these incredibly generous scholarships for in state kids, both merit and need, so it gets even cheaper for them. The academically top in state students basically go for free. Finally, qualifying veterans are awarded in state rates.
My s is the child of an alum - it is cheaper for him to go to WYO than go in state to CU Boulder, Mines or CSU. An increasing number of Colorado kids seem to be heading up to Laramie.
There is no obvious discount for transfers, but there is potential scholarship money available for OOS transfers.
@Ramapo2 true re Wyoming wind, but Colorado can be really windy too. The NREL wind facility is south of Boulder for a reason - gusts can go over 100 miles per hour and will blow tractor trailers off of the highway, just like in Wyoming. It gets pretty insane around the Front Range when the jet stream settles above us.
Thanks for the response and all the info, it’s really appreciated. One of the things that has me confused is numbers from the common data set. For UC Boulder for instance looking at the following link:
Seems to show that if you are awarded need based aid it averaged around 15k. Am I missing something entirely here about this data? I feel like I must be given the disconnect with what you posted above. Is it referring to an entire duration of a students attendance maybe? Or is it referring to in-state tuition breaks?
And the University has money with lots of support from the state legislature, so they can choose to be more generous to OOS students. Laramie is 2 hours northwest of Denver or just get on I-80 for 1700 miles and take a right. And yes, there is a 24 hr diner when you exit. Jersey natives either seem to fall in love with Wyoming or freak out over the wide open spaces; there seems to be no in between reaction.