small project-based engineering school

<p>I'd like to attend a smaller school for engineering, but I'm a social extrovert. It seems that most engineering schools are so full of nerds that are mostly introverts and gamers, that I fear I'll hate school for a lack of social connection. I have a low 2100 SAT...any recommendations for a school that offers a good hands-on/project-based mechanical engineering program where I might fit in?</p>

<p>Look at Franklin W Olin School of Engineering</p>

<p>How small is small? I’m afraid that at some of the mainly tech schools in your range (RPI, Rose Holman, WPI) you might isolate yourself with your incoming prejudice.
I think you need to think slightly larger to increase the student body diversity (of interests).</p>

<p>For example: Cal Poly SLO - 18K students, small school feel, learn by doing approach, 1K in ME [Mechanical</a> Engineering - Cal Poly](<a href=“http://me.calpoly.edu/]Mechanical”>http://me.calpoly.edu/)</p>

<p>Great suggestion in Cal Poly … excellent for hands-on. That’s what they are all about!</p>

<p>Yeah Cal Poly looks like a good school for you. It just depends on what you mean by “smaller”.</p>

<p>I agree with Poly. Although the school has 18K students, it feels much smaller because most class sizes are 30 or less. </p>

<p>I’d also reccommend Harvey Mudd College. It is a small liberal arts school, but if you want to get out and meet non-science majors, the other Claremont schools are nearby.</p>

<p>Olin, Rose-Hulman, and RPI are others you should look into.</p>

<p>Harvey Mudd or Olin would definitely be my first choice, but a 690 SAT math seems to fall short of their projected 50%tile groups. So even if I got in, I fear I would struggle, and I don’t want to flunk out. Cal Poly also appeals with 2 considerations…I have arthritis and when flair ups occur I move pretty slowly, which could be a problem if I have to physically cover a large campus. The second consideration is the CA budget cuts. I’ve heard they’re doubling/tripling class sizes, and I want classes no larger than 30. Thoughts…</p>

<p>I went to Poly. Project based work is stressed significantly. I wouldn’t call it a small school though.</p>

<p>Though not a small school, how many buildings would a mech eng major have to navigate? What are class sizes this year?</p>

<p>They are not doubling or tripling class sizes at Poly. They are decreasing enrollment, though, and increasing out of state enrollment.</p>