New Blue Hen Parents: Questions?

<p>OneProudDad, I wish I could be more helpful here, but my son transferred after his sophomore year. He did like UD. He was a mechanical engineering major with an aerospace concentration. Although they had the true aerospace courses “on the books,” they were not being offered on the schedule, and had not been for a while. I’m not sure how it is now. He is very happy at his new university and will graduate in May. </p>

<p>UD’s winter session is unique and it made it possible for him to do a study abroad, which I don’t think he would have been able to do where he is now.</p>

<p>Regarding free time, my son has done A LOT of studying all four years, but he did have time to have a job on campus at UD, and he is involved with Engineers Without Borders. One thing that has worked for him is to keep on top of his problem sets and labs. He starts working on them as soon as they are assigned rather than waiting until the night before. Same thing with studying for tests. He rereads his notes and the textbook. Very helpful for the GPA.</p>

<p>He loved UD from the moment he first saw it and it was his first choice. However, he initially applied under a different major, and only decided on engineering in April of his senior year of high school. So he chose the college, and then chose the major.</p>

<p>Thanks so much to all for taking the time to answer our questions. I am interested in hearing as much as possible about engineering students’ experience. We are very excited that our son has been accepted at UDel as it was one of his top choices based on campus visits. However, we really didn’t learn much specific to the engineering program as we attended a general open house. He intends to major in civil engineering. Any comments on professors and lab facilities? To what extent are classes/labs taught by TAs?</p>

<p>OneProudDad and SoNJparent – my freshman is only in her 2nd semester. She was in the Marching Band in the fall, joined SWE and did some volunteer work with them and also joined a professional (not social) sorority (which meets once a week & has some events throughout the semester. Fall was busy. She AP placed out of a few math classes & is in the honors program. She ended her 1st semester with all As and a B. So we were very proud.</p>

<p>Of course her true engineering work hasn’t started, but she had Chem, a Calc & Comp Sci in the fall…along with an engineering survey class & the freshman honors class which involves a fair amount of writing. This semester she has Bio, another Chem, another Calc and freshman English. Without marching band, she was thinking about getting a job.</p>

<p>She studies quite a bit too. So, I think a kid can keep in balance – join things & do well in Engineering, with some discipline.</p>

<p>Current UD Parents-Thanks so much for your time. It was a great idea to offer information for prospective students and parents. I started another thread asking current applicants what their choices are, and what factors they are looking at.</p>

<p>A few responded that they are looking at safety as part of the decision making process. One person felt the area felt “sketchy”. It did not feel that way to us upon first look-we will be attending Decision Days and will try to get a feel for the area. </p>

<p>I would love to know how current parents and students feel about safety on and off campus. Feel free to look at the other thread to see what exactly was said - and respond on either thread (or both)</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>