Ole Miss or University of Tennessee for Mechanical Engineering for High-Stat Kid?
UTK will e stronger and has the Grand Challenges program - but where are you from (i.e. costs).
If high stat and just starting, why just those two?
Those are the final two of his choice for decision day this week. We are oos for both. He would be in Chancellor’s Honors at UTK but missed honors deadline at Ole Miss. He would add Grand Cook later, tbd.
If costs are same - well it’s small town vs. mid size city in the heart of the city. Ole Miss is nice whereas UTK campus is…on Princeton Review’s worst…although it’s not that bad.
He should go to the right school for him - where he felt more comfortably.
But academically - UT. But it’s engineering - my kid goes to Alabama - low ranked but beautiful. They’re getting jobs from there so they will at Ole Miss too.
But it’s about fit (and finances) - kids that go because one is deemed superior do themselves a disservice in most cases.
Good luck.
Thanks–agree. He was set with UTK and actually loved the campus and growing program (they are investing a ton of money it it with new buildings, etc.). He liked the compact campus and smaller size of Ole Miss. Better offer at Ole Miss so wondering if the rank really matters when both are ABET accredited. Did receive merit from both. Wondering if better job/intern/co-op opps out of UTK or if it’s not really worth paying more. Thanks for your feedback–trying to help him decide!
In terms of intern/co-op opportunities, I think that UTK would be better – not just because of the proximity of Oak Ridge but because of a good, widely distributed, and supportive alumni base.
Also, in Mississippi, MSU has the better engineering program compared with Ole Miss, which is playing catch-up with MSU in that regard.
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Neither one is MIchigan/Harvard, etc. so I’m sure one is better than the other but it’s marginal. My kid, at Alabama, they’re all finding jobs on their own - through indeed and linkedin…not the school. The world has changed. I’m sure some jobs come in but for the most part recruiting has changed and it’s online with Hirevue Interviews instead of formal info sessions and recruiting.
I’d assume UT is “better” as it’s a higher ranked institution (for whatever rank means) but the difference is going to be negligible. He needs to spend four years there - so it’s most important he’s comfortable.
Where are you from? There could be some culture shock too!!
Good luck.
LOL we are from IL, but he likes the South. He felt Ole Miss was too Greek, and he’s not sure he’d want to be in a frat. But now he seems to like the size. We’ll see–time is ticking–thanks for all this feedback!
Ole Miss has about 35% of its students in Greek organizations; UT has about half that amount. I doubt that your son would be able to escape the Greek influence at Ole Miss, which is likely to be magnified in a smaller sized campus.
According to UT College of Engineering website, here, Facts and Stats - Tickle College of Engineering, 40% of students are placed in co-ops and internships. I couldn’t find any comparable information about Ole Miss.
Thank you–that is a concern. UTK definitely had a more chill vibe and he is a laid back kid. Conflicted as UTK has an amazing maker space opening this fall and tons of resources…but believe he could hustle at Ole Miss and make things happen too. Older kids are artists so I am out of my wheelhouse with this one! He was looking for a hands-on program and waitlisted at GT–UTK seems more hands-on with this new building. Incredible deal at Ole Miss so hard to pass up but he is leaning towards UTK right now.
Whichever way he goes, good luck to him – and you!
Thank you!
40% is very low. It says placed. Most kids today are finding on their own - so that might be the differentiator.
You might call this person - who’s on the ole miss career planning website for engineering.
Megan Upchurch Miller
Career Planning Specialist
Brevard Hall 218
662-915-5699
megan2@olemiss.edu
Thank you!!