<p>I've done tons of searching on this topic, but I have never found a good answer. My question is what are some colleges that have the best hands-on, and I can't stress the hands-on part enough, engineering programs? Basically any colleges like Cal Poly, where hands-on is their motto. I just can't see myself enjoying engineering if I can't get my hands dirty once in a while. </p>
<p>I already applied to Cal Poly, and while I feel very confident I'll get in, I need some back ups. I would prefer colleges on the west coast and hopefully a fairly decent guy to girl ratio, but I'm open to anything really. Anyone know about Oregon State or Oregon Tech Engineering?</p>
<p>I want to mention one more time that I have searched extensively, though I admit it's possible that I could have missed a thread somewhere. I feel it would be helpful to me and others to have a list of these types of schools. </p>
<p>Thanks for reading, your help is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Most engineering schools are hands on. You can get a degree at most with only doing a senior project, but I don’t recommend it. There are usually “projects” going on at the school and that is where the real hands on comes in. I worked on a project with NASA funding when I was in school and learned a lot. Highly recommend the project work above the degree requirements. </p>
<p>To find out about this kind of work, go to the various departments within the college and look at their websites and see what research is going on. That is where the project opportunities usually are.</p>
<p>My son went to Cal Poly and I didn’t find it any much more hands on than some other schools that didn’t stress it in their literature.</p>
<p>You need to check out the AAU (<a href=“http://www.aau.edu/[/url]”>http://www.aau.edu/</a>) as they do lots of research, hands on stuff. And not all schools can join this group only about 60 something members.</p>
<p>Give us more examples of what you consider “hands on”. Lots of project work, but with intense academics too? Or more of an engineering tech idea?</p>
<p>Most engineering schools have lots of hands on opportunities. The discipline of engineering is inherently hands-on. Let me just give you the example of my school, Illinois Institute of Technology; many other engineering programs have the same features. </p>
<p>In the first year students take an Introduction to the Professions course and in many of the engineering disciplines the course curriculum involves designing and building things. </p>
<p>Finally there is the capstone design course and that often has a hands on component.</p>
<p>In addition there are numerous opportunities for extra-curricular hands on work in the clubs and in faculty research labs as well as the co-op program.</p>
<p>Whichever school you choose, you will be able to find hands on experience, just look for it.</p>
<p>Personally, I think “hand on” education in science and engineering is overrated. I wasted several quarters taking “practical” technical electives when I was an undergrad – those were probably the least useful major courses I took.</p>
<p>This is the time in your life where you should try to solidify your knowledge in the fundamentals. You will have the rest of your life to work on “hand on” projects. Don’t waste the opportunity.</p>