Quick question about 3-2 program

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>To the OP:</p>

<p>Do a 3-2 program if you want the two degrees or if you are thinking you want to do engineering but aren't sure... Given that you have 3 years of your other degree you can still develop your interests. Why would you do a 3-2 program unless you wanted the two degrees? Would you do psychology and bioengineering as a pretext for a neuroscience type future? Business and any engineering degree so that you can have a leg up should it come around to promotions (promote the guy with 10 years experience and a BS in engineering and business or the guy with a BS in engineering?). History and civil because... well... you're crazy enough to want to major in history AND engineering.</p>

<p>I would NOT do a 3-2 program just do you can have some name of a school that you would otherwise not get into (as that is almost how this all sounds--how can I get in without REALLY getting in). I've never heard of Hendrix, so admittedly if I were looking at applicants and one is from some school I've never heard of and one is from Columbia, I might pause, but there's more to it then that (especially since Hendrix is a SLAC with no engineering degree, but just go with it here). It's you GPA, your experience (senior projects, internships [which come down to your personal/school connections early on]), recommendations, your ambition to participate in activities and lead them or accelerate your study so that you have many classes building towards whatever career you're after.</p>

<p>Do a 3-2 program as a building up of your academic "assets", not as a segue into a school you like the name of. Not only is it an extra year (many schools have a 4+1 programs so you could come out with an MS degree instead of two degree's... two independent degrees won't get you hired over someone else, but an MS might), but you're leaving one school after three years and dropping into a new school (new people, new city, new friends, etc) just so you can have a name.</p>

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<p>I'm interested in the 3-2 program for two major reasons: I'm not completely sure I want to be an engineer (who would be as a senior in high school?) and I want to go to the best school I can possibly go to so that I can get the best education I can possibly get and so that I have the best chance at getting a non-crappy job. It has nothing to do with the 'name' of the school. Indeed, as I already said, I'd rather go to Vandy, which is far less prestigious, than Columbia because I'm from the South.</p>

<p>"f I were looking at applicants and one is from some school I've never heard of and one is from Columbia, I might pause, but there's more to it then that"</p>

<p>But that's like saying, "There is more to an application than GPA. Why are you so concerned with your GPA?"</p>

<p>Going to Columbia, as opposed to just Hendrix, I'm pretty sure would significantly increase my chances at getting into good grad schools.</p>

<p>"but you're leaving one school after three years and dropping into a new school (new people, new city, new friends, etc) just so you can have a name."</p>

<p>Ok, but (nearly) everyone has to go to a new school with new people, new city, etc. when they leave for grad school. I would do this one year before everyone else. What's the big deal if everyone has to do it anyways?</p>

<p>"(many schools have a 4+1 programs so you could come out with an MS degree instead of two degree's... two independent degrees won't get you hired over someone else, but an MS might)"</p>

<p>are you talking about other LACs?</p>

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<p>Also I checked the financial aid that Columbia offers to 3-2 students. Here's a quote:</p>

<p>"Columbia will meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for Combined Plan Program students with an award that is comprised of University grant and a work-study job."</p>

<p>So Columbia will essentially cost me the same as anywhere else given that they meet 100% of need. In fact, it will probably be cheaper than schools that cost, let's say, $40K a year and don't fully meet need. </p>

<p>So I would do this:</p>

<p>Year 1: Hendrix $17,000
Year 2: Hendrix $15,000
Year 3: Hendrix $15,000
Year 4: Columbia $12,000
Year 5: Columbia $12,000</p>

<p>That sounds very affordable...and it just sounds like a good deal.</p>

<p>I dropped Hendrix's price down to $15K the second and third year because my dad's income dropped substantially since last year due to the economy. Also, I'm estimating Columbia to be significantly cheaper than Hendrix because CU meets full need, whereas Hendrix is very poor.....to say the least.</p>

<p>(Also, just switch Vanderbilt with Columbia and the same would be the case because Vandy meets full need as well.)</p>

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<p>I guess I did to a bit of "Dont do this, do do this!" but I'm amazed at the picking apart of the post. Reading all of it from the beginning...</p>

<p>No, I'm talking about non-LACs. The thread doesn't start with "I am going to Hendrix and want to know about the 3-2 program". I am assuming there are options other than Hendrix or LAC's. </p>

<p>I think the other factors are more important than the school... it's not like saying there is more to your app then GPA, so say screw it. A GPA is a number that they can sort you by (min requirements for programs, internships, etc). Like the GRE. They are things that will break you, but won't make you. A crappy GRE or GPA makes you an easier target for the trash when they have to rank people (I suppose you can say the same for the undergrad "rank" too). Alternatively, I don't think being from a "top dog" in engineering program vs a lesser ranked program (OSU, Vandy, most state schools even--still good schools mind you) will be a make or break anything. It's engineering, it's not medicine, law, finance. And if it's not name that is drawing you, but rank (so that you can get a job/grad school offer?), I hope you went to one of America's top 100 highschools too. Rankings are great, like a GPA for the schools that we can sort them by. I am of the opinion that top 10, 20, 40, 100, as long as you have competent professors and you care enough to try then you're fine.</p>

<p>Now to the most recent question: do the 3-2 program if you have to, otherwise finish your BS and apply to grad school. After the 3-2 program would you be applying to for a MS program or just going to work? If going to work, then again I say ditch spending an extra year (and $15,000) and just get an MS (cost or no cost). But to do so, you'd need an undergrad major in engineering, right?, so does Hendrix even have one (I assume no, otherwise the 3-2 program is an insult to Hendrix engineering)? How do you plan to pursue an MS after Hendrix?</p>

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<p>I believe I already mentioned that I'm a senior and have already applied. Every school I applied to is an LAC...so universities that offer engineering for undergrad aren't an option (But it's obviously not your fault for not reading every last word of this thread, lol.)</p>

<p>"I think the other factors are more important than the school... it's not like saying there is more to your app then GPA, so say screw it."</p>

<p>I was sort of exaggerating, but the quality of your undergraduate school is a significant factor in graduate schools admissions though, right? It may not be as important as GPA, test scores, recs, etc. but it's still important...right?</p>

<p>"And if it's not name that is drawing you, but rank (so that you can get a job/grad school offer?)"</p>

<p>Well it's not just the rank that I think is a factor for graduate school admissions, it's also the education itself and experience outside of class. Surely Columbia, being ranked pretty highly overall, offers a top education and college experience.</p>

<p>"After the 3-2 program would you be applying to for a MS program or just going to work?"</p>

<p>I think I'd apply to grad schools.</p>

<p>Here's my line of thought. Going to Columbia for two years will only cost $9,000 more than going just to Hendrix for four years. (Hendrix would cost roughly $62,000. Hendrix and Columbia for five years total would cost roughly $71,000.) Surely adding Columbia to my list of undergraduate colleges will increase my chances of getting into a good grad school, and further getting a decent job. Even if my chances at these things are only slightly increased if I go to Columbia, they're still increased. Also, wouldn't the higher quality education (for my major, the most important aspect of my education) and college experience be worth $9,000 in itself? </p>

<p>And it's just $9,000 dollars. That wouldn't be hard to pay over time.</p>

<p>So combine all the advantages of Columbia together (increased chances at grad school admissions, a better education, and a better experience), and doesn't it just seem like paying $1000 a year for 9 years (if that's roughly how loans work..I'm not sure) is worth all of those things? I think so.</p>

<p>Plus, I see the additional year of college as a positive, not a negative...</p>

<p>Is the above compelling, or is there something I'm not considering, etc.?</p>

<p>edit: one more thing. given that I must attend an LAC next year (because I only applied to LACs), wouldn't it also be a bit of a disadvantage when I'm actually in grad school for engineering if I only went to Hendrix for undergrad? Hendrix obviously doesn't have any engineering courses, so I would have no experience to bring to grad school. However, if I go to an engineering school for 2 years after 3 years at Hendrix, I'd have engineering experience to bring to grad school engineering. Wouldn't the lack of engineering experience be a big negative when I'm actually in grad school?</p>

<p>so, ignoring the cost, there are only positives if I go to a 3-2 school and I'm avoiding negatives. and its only for $9,000. it just seems logical to me...</p>

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<p>
[quote]

And it's just $9,000 dollars. That wouldn't be hard to pay over time
Is the above compelling, or is there something I'm not considering, etc.?

[/quote]

Well, if you get out of school one year earlier you will start paying back the loans right away, instead of continuing to accumulate debt for an additional year. So the difference is more than $9,000. Of course, your life expectancy is increased if you get a better education. </p>

<p>If you really wanted to start engineering now, some good engineering schools are still taking rolling admissions. Purdue, for example.</p>

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<p>Of course, you're still conveniently ignoring the fact that most engineering students take 5 years for a degree.</p>

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<p>Took me 6. I got a minor in music and did some civil engineering courses in waste water treatment because I thought I wanted to do more environmental stuff. Had to retake my second fluids course too. And, since the courses are only offered once a year I had to wait a whole year to get back on track. Though, part time status taking 1 core class a quarter, plus some lectures series in philosophy and psychology, for my last year was quite relaxing.</p>

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<p>Of course, you're still conveniently ignoring the fact that most engineering students take 5 years for a degree.</p>

<hr>

<p>Who are you talking to, lol?</p>

<p>It seems like your post was direct towards JohnWillkins, but he hasn't posted today.</p>