<p>S invited to Honors program w/ full tuition scholarship at Temple; narrowly missed Honors w/ small merit scholarsship at Rutgers SOE. Rutgers has the more established Engineering program, but might his chances for research, internships, etc. be better where he is at the top of his class (Temple) or in the middle (Rutgers)? Will his prospects for grad school or employment be diminished if he chooses Temple? Both schools are ABET certified. Advice?</p>
<p>I would pick Temple. Graduating with honors always looks good and its city location would give him a lot of opportunity to intern. I live in Philly so I know many kids that go to Temple and they all love it. I don’t know much about Rutgers except that it’s not exactly the most competitive school, whereas Temple grads get a lot of recognition, especially in Philly. </p>
<p>Also, it’s almost impossible to turn down a full ride, especially when there isn’t much difference in the programs. </p>
<p>I don’t know the answers but D is considering Temple (she is a junior now) so I am curious to hear what responses you get.</p>
<p>For D, the fact that Temple is in Philly is a big selling point (for city life as well as ease of access to internships in the city), as would be the Honors program. </p>
<p>For me, full tuition is a biggie too. What’s the cost difference? (Are you NJ residents?)</p>
<p>How much would each cost after scholarships and before loans?
Before we learn any other details, I’d pick Temple beause there’s no major difference in quality and full tuition + honors program would certainly make his experience better at all levels (fewer financial worries, freer choices for internships then career, closer relationship with professors, other perks.)
Be aware however that it’s not in the best neighborhood in Philly. It may not matter to your son, especially if he’s used to urban living.</p>
<p>Actually, Rutgers School of Engineering is ranked #53 in USN&WR; Temple is not in the top 100 for Engineering, hence our concern. I do agree about the Honors citation and the advantage of being in a large city (although Penn & Drexel are there, too, and both are ranked higher than Temple). On the other hand, I have read that where one goes for undergrad doesn’t matter that much as long as the school is ABET certified, which both are. We are NJ residents and the cost difference is about $30K. Did I mention that the Temple scholarship also includes three $4K stipends for summer study abroad, internships, research, etc.? We would defer to S, but he is as conflicted as we are! All opinions are welcome.</p>
<p>MYOS1634, all good points, especially about fewer financial worries and closer relationships with profs (Rutgers is HUGE!) Thanks!</p>
<p>That ranking applies to Graduate programs, not undergraduate programs, and while not completely false for undergrads, doesn’t really apply at that level because, as you said, the programs are ABET accredited, so the content and the sequences pretty standardized.
There should be enough internships to go around in Philly, even with Penn, Drexel, Vilannova, St Joe’s, etc.
Engineering as a career or a field is mostly performance-based; where you went to school, as long as it’s accredited, doesn’t really matter. The stipends for study abroad, internships, and research would be more useful than “Rutgers” the name, since it’d help your son distinguish himself and make valuable professional connections.
I don’t often recommend Temple (in part because of the part of the city it’s in) but in this case, it sounds like the right choice. But don’t make any decision “on paper”: your son should spend an overnight there, or an admitted students day - attending a class (very important), reading the college paper (to see what the students think about, what concerns them and what is going on on campus), eating in the cafeteria and listening to conversation (can he see himself eating there every day? Could he easily join the conversation?), etc.</p>
<p>MYOS1634- He is going to Temple’s admitted students day this Sunday and to Rutgers’ the following Saturday. I will suggest that he arrange to spend a day at each school, perhaps during his spring break in April. Thanks for the advice, as well as the clarification about rankings and accreditation. You have been very helpful! :)</p>
<p>Actually Rutgers is ranked #43 for undergraduate engineering programs where a PhD is the highest degree offered by USNews; Temple is ranked #115. </p>
<p>I know someone who graduated from Temple in the early 80s with an electrical engineering degree and is among my few high school friends who has NEVER been without employment since graduating from college. </p>
<p>Temple is a much better school today than it was then. If the student doesn’t object to the location, I’d take the money and run! That scholarship and admission to the honors college is a swell deal. </p>
<p>Temple is definitely making changes. New generous merit scholarships, new (whoa) dorm, neighborhood is evolving…IMO it’s a school to watch. While the hood is, well iffy, it’s got a great secure campus. My 15 yo daughter did a weeklong engineering program there last summer and liked it very much. </p>
<p>I agree that a good visit, perhaps with overnight, certainly with class sit-in, discussion with career/internship office, would be in order.</p>