D23 is interested in ME, and finances probably mean this will mean SUNY (maybe CUNY but probably not).
What are your impression of ME at the various SUNY schools? New Paltz has a smaller program, but she is interested in it in particular for a few reasons. Where does it fit into the mix? How does to compare to UB, SB, Bing?
Perhaps she can compare the required courses and the in-major upper level electives available at each school to see which better matches her interests.
That would make sense, but maybe she isn’t as advanced as many kids? She would have no idea what the upper level courses even are. It is tough to evaluate as a 17 year old.
Between 50-60% of engineers will end up not finishing up in engineering. So if she won’t have an idea of reading the classes as to whether or not they interest her, you should find a school with other majors that may also interest her because she will likely end up in a different major.
Engineers typically are math and science interested - whether it’s astronomy or weather or especially physics.
You might be overthinking this. Most ME programs are approved by ABET so she’ll be taking about the same courses no matter where she goes. Senior year is generally when you choose electives to get an emphasis in one area or another, as you can see by this sample plan at Mechanical Engineering Eight Semester Plan | SUNY New Paltz So she’ll have 3 years to decide what area of ME to emphasize.
If there’s someone who’s always known they want to go into some focused area of ME then it might be worth looking for a program that has more courses in that particular area, but the general set electives offered at all schools are going to be fine to prepare a ME student for any chosen career field.
She can do additional specialization, if she wants, by pursuing a MSEE. Many schools now offer a 5-year program to do this, such as BS/MS Accelerated Program | Department of Mechanical Engineering I wouldn’t make it an absolute requirement in choosing schools, especially given the high dropout rate for engineers, but it could serve as a tie-breaker if she couldn’t otherwise choose between schools.
As to that dropout rate, I think almost all the students admitted in engineering could do the work. They may find something else they like better they hadn’t considered, or decide it’s too much work. She should know that for each STEM class she will be spending 6-10 hours outside class doing homework, studying, going to office hours, etc.
Interesting u say this. My son just signed up for …I think it’s called…sustainable Energy. I think his first MechE elective. Senior year.
Bumping a bit. But some additional thoughts. I appreciate comments thus far.
1- stats would get her into “better” schools
2- the better schools are hike
3- have the whole Gladwell thing in my head- whereby the top 1/3 get all of the STEM degrees and the bottom 1/3rd wash out. She’d be top 1/3 at New Paltz and bottom 1/3 at SBU and Bing.
4- regarding 4, what are your thoughts. I fear her washing out and then being a bit lost, but if her being one of the better students (her SAT is 300 over 75ile) admitted gives her a better chance of getting the degree…
I also think you are overthinking this. All of these schools are very good. I would choose based on fit, which appears to be New Paltz…? It’s also a small school, which might be a plus for her.
Wash out / weed out is mainly an issue in competitive situations like premed or where there is competitive secondary admission to major. Or where the student is not able to handle the rigor of the major at any college. Or where the college is too expensive and the student runs out of money.
Gladwell writes books. Books he needs to sell. Ignore…