I was accepted to the 4+1 program but would like to know from anyone, especially students…what would you say pros/cons would be…ex:financial, job opportunities, too rigorous with co-op. Could you get a decent job with just 4 years and maybe your job will help pay to go back to school. Stevens is one of my top 3 schools, so this decision could sway me if its worth it. Going to Admitted students day and will ask the question but sometimes they always make it sound great.
afaik, 4+1 allows you to continue your scholarship for your +1 year but I am not sure how much you get for that fifth year. It’s nice but I don’t think it is that compelling of an offer, overall. Nice but not a primary reason to go to Stevens.
I don’t think it would be too rigorous with coop. If you have AP credits coming in, that will help. You can also do less coop rotations. The normal coop rotation is 5 jobs but you can do 3 or 4 if you need to do more classes to stay on schedule, and still be in the coop program. Or you can just do internships during the summer outside of the coop program.
If you get a 3.80 GPA or greater your first semester, you will also be eligible for the Scholars program (opportunities for paid research and free classes in the summertime, priority scheduling).
I hope a student answers you with their personal experience.
thank you…I would like to hear from a student following this path and maybe from someone that said yes during your application and then decided after a few semesters, you decided against it.
The coop program is one of the top reasons ppl go to Stevens. It is totally doable to do the 4+1 coop and get a master if you take a few extra classes and take classes during the coop semesters. Stevens just got ranked #3 for return on investment. They are doing something right. My dd is doing 4+1 coop and planning on getting a masters during that time. I think it is pretty common there. The students, on a whole are highly motivated.
Thank you. I thought once the decisions came in it would be easy to choose…Didn’t realize this was going to be so tough. Did your daughter have any hard time finding co-ops? Where they in New York or where you able to find any in NJ.
My son is in the coop program. They do it by lottery. You get your number, and that determines which group you are in. The first group gets to sign up for interviews first, and then they admit subsequent groups to choose what is left over.
He has done the lottery 3 times. He has had a mix of good and bad numbers. Even if you get a bad number (choose last) you will still have options. People with zero or one interview are the first to choose when new opportunities come up. Also, if you stay in touch with the coop office, they will let you know when new interviews are available. You can also find your own coop (talk to office to find details).
The locations vary. The ones in NYC and Hoboken/Jersey City area are highly sought after since you can commute via public transportation. Those go quickly.
There are also opportunities available all over NJ and in NY out of the city. I have seen ones in Ramsey, Nutley, Lakewood, Neptune, Sparta, Long Island, Carteret, Woodbridge, Edison, Lakehurst, Parsippany, all over. So don’t worry about that. You just have to keep looking if you don’t find something at first. The coop office will really try to help you out and get you a placement.
btw you can accept the 4+1 Masters and then decide later. By accepting now, you are not committed to that path.
If you change your mind later, or are able to transfer into the Scholars Program after your first semester (you can’t do both) that is fine.
thank you. it sounds like such a great oppurtunity!