<p>So Santa Clara would be a good choice then, at least for the time being?</p>
<p>SCU is a perfectly good school if Silicon Valley employment is your target.</p>
<p>However, it is expensive, so you need to check how financial aid and GI money work out there.</p>
<p>If you goal is the transfer to Berkeley, it is likely that a nearby community college with good course articulation to Berkeley (see [Welcome</a> to ASSIST](<a href=“http://www.assist.org%5DWelcome”>http://www.assist.org) ; Laney and Diablo Valley are candidates to look at) has a smoother transfer pathway.</p>
<p>If I decided to attend Diablo Valley, would all my credits transfer to Berkeley or other UC Schools? I ask because I would most likely have to use the GI Bill, not so much for the tuition, but for the housing allowance. I would really hate to have to do that to then find out that I won’t have enough money to complete my Bachelor’s at UCB due to running out of GI Bill months. That would happen if the one or two years I spend at DV won’t translate to the same amount of time at UCB. </p>
<p>As I mentioned above, I only have 36 months (4 academic years) of tuition from the GI Bill. So, If I go to a school for a year, I’ll still lose one year’s worth of GI Bill, whether the school’s yearly tuition is $1,900 or $19,000. I really want to get the most bang for my buck.</p>
<p>I’ve also been looking at schools in the East Coast, like Georgia Tech, Stevens Institute of Technology, Worcester Institute of Technology, etc. How hard is it for graduates from schools like these to find jobs on the west coast or to get into graduate school at UC Schools? I would really like to live on the west coast, so if I could get a bachelor’s and get a job/go to grad school all in CA, then great! but that might not be so feasible, so I want to make sure I have other avenues that I can use to achieve future success.</p>
<p>overmind,</p>
<p>Get to know the assist website that UCBAlumnus linked, it is a great tool. It will show exactly what will and won’t transfer from any community college in the state to any four year university in the state (might just be public schools, I don’t remember). You can even do it by degree so you know exactly what you need to take at the community college. I separated from Travis AFB and started my educational career at Diablo Valley and found it to be a great school.</p>
<p>I saw that they also have veteran’s services, so I’ll give them a shot. Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>Overmind, others in this thread may have said this, but it will be important for you to get up to speed before starting a rigorous engineering curriculum. To get through most engineering degree requirements in 4 years one has to start off in calculus as a freshman. Many freshman have already had some level of calculus in high school. The math is also important for basic chemistry and especially for physics, which will probably be part of the freshman year classes depending on the major. Could you take some classes somewhere (not necessarily formally or at a college setting) just to get caught up in the math especially, but maybe the sciences also, while NOT using your GI benefits? Maybe get a job and take this classes while supporting yourself. Then when you are ready apply to a 4 year accredited engineering program and get full use of your GI benefits. Going in to a 4 year program w/o the proper math background is going to start you off at a big disadvantage, and you may have to go an extra year. Engineering curriculums are very structured and intense. </p>
<p>Also, I am confused why you are even considering private schools. The 19K per year from the GI bill won’t even cover 1/2 of the tuition costs at private schools. At a state school you basically have a full-ride! That is awesome! There are loads of people who would love to have such a deal. As others have said, in engineering the ‘prestige factor’ of the elite privates isn’t as important. And you may find the state school atmosphere and resources to be just as good or even better in some respects. There are many super engineering programs at state universities. I am more familiar with the ones in the midwest though. You should search for the ones which have a good program in your intended major and specialty, if you are considering one. </p>
<p>Good luck to you. And thanks for your service!</p>
<p>Thank you for your input! I agree that I could use some preparation before I enroll in college full time, but I’m still trying to find out what the best way to do that will be. I am a BMET, so math is not entirely unknown to me, but I could use a refresher, specially since I didn’t take anything higher than Algebra 2 in High school. I’ll have to look for some college prep courses I can take. Any other ideas are welcome!</p>
<p>Like I mentioned, I’m 26, so I don’t want to wait for too long before I get started on my bachelor’s. Technically I shouldn’t have to, since I have that AAS in Biomedical Engineering Technology, but since most schools won’t take those credits, then I have to start from the bottom. If I don’t at least start community college soon, then I’ll be well over 30 by the time I graduate! I feel that will put me at a disadvantage when it comes to job prospects.</p>
<p>As for why I have private schools listed as targets, there are several reasons: </p>
<p>Some schools participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. In a nutshell, that means that on top of accepting the $19K, participating schools will throw an extra bit of money that will then be matched by the VA. Some schools, like Stanford, only offer $3K, which means an extra $6K for tuition on top of the $19K. Other schools, however, are a lot more generous, but limit the number of students they offer the bonus to every year. Cornell, for example, only offers the bonus to 40 students a year, but their bonus is unlimited, so you basically get a free ride to an Ivy League school, which is pretty sweet! Most schools are a bit of both, like Harvey Mudd and Carnegie Mellon, which offer $5K and $8K to a limited number every year, netting you an extra $10 and $16K respectively. At Rose-Hulman and Stevens, I would get a total extra of $30K and $32K!!!</p>
<p>Another reason is the fact that private schools seem to have less students in general. Since I’m not that great at math, I figured smaller class sizes would make it easier for me to ask teachers for help, possibly making it easier to get through and possibly excel at an engineering program.</p>
<p>And finally, I’m still entertaining the idea of being a research scientist one day, so I figured getting a degree from the schools I chose would help me get to that position. I don’t really know for sure, though. If anything, I have some ideas for “inventions” that I would like to prototype while in college. I figured schools with higher endowment would have better facilities and equipment I could use for that.</p>
<p>By the way, my job in the Air Force hasn’t been particularly difficult compared to others, like SPs or PJs, so I always feel a bit guilty about taking compliments. Still, I appreciate your gratitude!</p>
<p>You will be applying under unique circumstances which may make you desirable to colleges. I know most top colleges are looking for diversity and students coming with different life experiences and perspectives.You as a vet have 7 years of real world experience and an insiders view of what it going on militarily in the U.S. If I was an admissions officer I would snatch you up. Apply to your dream schools but also some safeties. I know a boy who had amazing test scores and EC’s who did not get into his top choice schools but ended up going to WPI because they have an extensive and cutting edge robotics department. I would Google top schools for robotics and you might find some diamonds sprinkled throughout the country that will be thrilled to add you to their campus!</p>
<p>@overmind87 - Given your comment in post #27, definitely look into the [Association</a> of Independent Technological Universities: AITU](<a href=“http://theaitu.org%5DAssociation”>http://theaitu.org) schools which are research universities along with major public universities. Many of them also have entrepreneurship programs and give students assistance in commercializing their ideas. One example from my own university, Illinois Tech, is the [url=" <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20131106/bridgeport/x-cube-bridgeport-student-develops-21st-century-puzzle"]XCube[/url">http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20131106/bridgeport/x-cube-bridgeport-student-develops-21st-century-puzzle"]XCube[/url</a>].</p>
<p>While getting a taste of research is possible at most universities, a research university offers you the possibility of working side by side with Ph.D. students and get a good idea of what it will be like.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions! Some of the schools that are part of the AIUT, like Carnegie Mellon, NYU-poly, RPI and Olin, sound like they would work out for me as far as living arrangements and Yellow ribbon program participation go. </p>
<p>However, I’m starting to feel like maybe going to community college for the first two years will be more beneficial for me. I’m hoping that the smaller class sizes at CC will mean that it will be easier for me to ask any questions I might have. I feel going to a 4-year university right off the bat will end up with me in a trial-by-fire situation, which I don’t feel prepared to.</p>
<p>Another reason, however petty it may seem, is that I would like to experience some nice weather for a change. I’ve been stationed here in England for the last 3 years, and although there are some really nice schools in the NE, like the ones I mentioned above, I don’t think the weather there won’t be much different. Going to California for CC would not only allow me to prepare better, but it would also improve my chances to get into Berkeley’s EECS program (my current goal), while not entirely barring me from applying to any of those other really nice schools in the future in addition to the UC schools. All the while enjoying the nice California weather, to boot!</p>
<p>My biggest concern really is my weakness in Math: Finally got my SAT results today: 1930. 700 reading, 560 math and 670 writing.</p>
<p>I have really mixed feelings about them. I have a lot on going on in my life right now. I only had a month or so to prepare for it. And I have been out of high school for over 7 years. So, all things considered, it’s not a bad score. On the other hand, I think I could have done a lot better. I really should have put forth more effort into studying, specially in math. Maybe I’ll give it another shot later this year after a few months at community college…</p>
<p>I’m still going to apply to my dream schools, in case of a miracle, but it looks like it’s going to be CC for me. At least for the time being.</p>
<p>Would you be able to cover a year of community college expenses out of pocket? That would allow you to reserve the GI Bill benefits to pay for tuition at a more expensive 4-yr school.</p>
<p>As others have said, jumping straight into an elite engineering school is unrealistic. Even if you somehow managed to be accepted, you would not be well enough prepared to perform at the level of the other, better prepared, students. </p>
<p>You have several options. One is to start at a CC, to be better prepared in math and physics. Another is to enter a less elite but solid 4-yr engineering school, such as SUNY Buffalo or Missouri UST. </p>
<p>If you want to aim for CA, I suggest looking to see if there are any particular agreements between CA CC’s and UC’s, with preferred acceptance paths. Starting at a CC in CA could allow you to establish residency in CA also, which could help with tuition later. Berkeley is pretty high to aim however - you should also research the other UC’s - Davis, Irvine , Santa Barbara, San Diego, Santa Cruz, etc. Good luck.</p>
<p>I might be able to use my involuntary separation pay to pay for CC, but it would only be enough for one year. I’m also thinking about joining the Air Force Reserve, since they offer tuition assistance, but I need more details first to see if it’s worth the hassle. I’m also considering those other UC schools, since I know getting into Berkeley might not happen. Fortunately, they have strong programs in engineering and computer science as well!</p>
<p>Just as an FYI, the GI Bill can get you through 4 years of college. I used it through 4 (Fall/Spring) semesters, and two full summers. You just need to start that last semester with 1 day remaining. The new iteration of the GI Bill doesn’t pay in between semester (which is great), so all 36 months are used only while you are in class.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t get too caught up with prestige for undergraduate. I would look at all the UCs and Cal Poly SLO, which is a fantastic engineering school.</p>
<p>Yeah, I heard that about the post 9/11 GI Bill recently, which is pretty nice! I’m also keeping most UC schools in the running, as well as SLO. The only thing I don’t like is that for most of them, I would get a lot less money for housing a month. For example, at Berkeley I would be getting $2700/mo, but at SLO, only $1500. Other than that, though, I wouldn’t have an issue with going to it. But like all other UC schools, I’ll have to wait until the application season rolls around again in November, unfortunately.</p>
<p>…Unless I get accepted into one of my dream schools, but hey, stranger things have happened!</p>