<p>My D is a very bright African American high school student interested in chemical engineering and biomedical engineering. We've visited several schools and, as of now, her favorite is Carnegie Mellon. She's also interested in Duke (I know, no chemical engineering), Harvey Mudd, University of Michigan, University of Delaware, University of Maryland-College Park, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. Most, if not all, of these schools have chapters of the National Association of Black Engineers. They also have women in engineering groups. </p>
<p>While the number of women and minorities pursuing engineering as a career is increasing, it looks like there still is a gap. I recognize how important it is for students to feel welcome and supported at college, by both their peers and professors. I'd like for my daughter to attend a school that will help her flourish in her chosen field. I'd also like for her to have a good time - to be part of an inclusive student body.</p>
<p>What I'd like to know, especially from other minority female engineering students out there, is what their experiences are at the schools my D is interested in. Do some of the schools do a better job than others in supporting African-American female students? Are there schools not on her list that she should consider?</p>
<p>I think you have done your homework. All that you mentioned look good with the exception of Duke and Harvey Mudd. I wouldn’t bother with either of them. You might want to see if Drexel and Univ. of Pitt. could also be of interest but I don’t see them being any better than the ones you have mentioned. All very good choices.</p>
<p>I’ve been to a bunch of Women in Engineering youth programs at UMD-CP that have been fabulous. Their SWE is really strong and often teams up with their office of minorities in engineering for some fabulous offerings. They are definitely committed to the minority students in their engineering college.</p>
<p>She might want to look at MIT. The engineering school, at the undergrad level, is around 38% women (and undergrad overall is 45% women). The incoming freshman class is 25% underrepresented minorities. I found it to be a pretty supportive place for women, engineers or not. I can’t speak about the minority experience, but there is an Office of Minority Education, and a counselor who specializes in African-American students among the counseling deans. ChemE, especially with a bio overlap, is very, very big there right now.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I find myself also viewing Georgia Tech very favorably. I believe they benefit from direct enrollment and 3+2 programs with Spelman and Morehouse. MIT looks great and has about 10% AA enrollment, but I understand that it’s a real pressure cooker. Acknowledging the reality that engineering is a challenging major, my D still wants to have some time for a little fun - student drama productions, good spectator sports, acappella groups, etc.</p>
<p>Haven’t gotten any feedback about Carnegie Mellon, VTech, Univ of Del or Michigan. Any experiences to share about those schools?</p>
<p>It is hard as hell, but people support each other. And nearly everyone is involved in “a little fun” of some sort - it’s a work hard, play hard environment (with tons of acappella groups ;)). That said, it’s certainly worth considering that it’s a very difficult school (regardless of major). And there is a small graduation rate gap - 85% for AA vs. 93% for the whole school (though I don’t know what happens if you adjust that for socioeconomic status).</p>
<p>GaTech is very supportive of AA engineers. You also should investigate Rice, which is always ranked among the top few schools for diversity and interaction between students of different backgrounds.</p>
<p>I’m not Wobudong, but I can answer this…very well. If you look at US News’ engineering grad rankings (which are based entirely on reputation, which is what you are asking about), Rice is #35. In biomedical, which you mentioned that your D was interested in, it’s top 10.</p>
<p>i don’t have a link, but i remember reading while being a student at Michigan that we have one of the highest numbers of female engineering majors. </p>
<p>Chemical Engineering and Biomedical engineering will have plenty of girls, i think 40% or maybe more. We have a SWE(society of women engineers) that’s very active, there’s tutoring and professional help, there’s also a minority engineering student office, they provide help with classes, past exams, study materials (it’s available to all students of course)</p>
<p>And Chemical engineering and biomedical engineering are both small majors at Michigan, so it’s a very close group, they all hang out and do homework together.</p>
<p>I really appreciate all of the input on the schools. My D and I will consider this in putting together the “list.” It’s interesting to me that I haven’t heard a thing about Virginia Tech or Carnegie Mellon as a choice, either pro or con. We visited the campuses, did the tours, thought they both were nice but would be real interested in a student’s perspective.</p>
<p>Smith is the only women’s college with an engineering program, albeit a general engineering degree. If you’re looking for a supportive environment, you might find it there.</p>
<p>Uhh and why exatly would you not bother with Duke and HMC? I know HMC goes out of its way to help female and minotirty students (some would actually say too far).</p>
<p>But anyway, I don’t quite understand marnimom’s rational. Why not juist ask “Schols for Engineering Students”? I don’t understand why race and gender is a huge factor for applicants. Schools are not going to be racist and sexist. Even if there are biases against females and minorities in high school, those biases cease to exist and possibly turn in favor of these students in college. At HMC, I see professors treating females a lot better than males. There are many summer research programs that accept 100% of female applicants and aren’t available to males at all. I think students will feel racially accepted anywhere once they stop thinking about race. Choosing schools specifically based on race is de facto segragation.</p>
<p>I was in Materials Science & Engineering at CMU, and our program was over 50% female. African-American students at CMU aren’t exactly common, the “diversity” CMU talks about is mostly different kinds of Asians. I know there’s a fairly active SPIRIT group at CMU for African-American students, and I’m not aware of any actual racism going on on campus, people are treated as equals so long as they’re willing to do work and not just leech off of their classmates.</p>
<p>Anyway, I loved CMU and thought it was a great school, and most of my friends really enjoyed it there too. The main key to loving CMU is wanting to do tons of work, and having a passion for the field you’re going into.</p>
<p>In the perfect world that may be true, but alas, we’re stuck in this one. Racism and sexism is a reality today still, whether you want to admit it or not. It’s just not as widespread as it used to be. You may have seen females treated better than males, but I’ve seen the opposite at times, both in academia and professionally.</p>
But this is for college, not employment.
Perhaps we’re supposed to weigh in affirmative action into consideration?
Btw in case someone misconstrue what I wrote, I’m not condemning it if [affirmative action] it is what you’re inferring.
It almost sound sarcastic if I sound it out…</p>