<p>Is there anything Swarthmore engineering has that a large university like UC Berkeley couldn't offer? Both schools seem great for different reasons and with the aid, the price difference between them is negligible. I would greatly appreciate any input. :]</p>
<p>Swarthmore is similar to Harvey Mudd in that it has a preeminent engineering program/degree in a non-university (i.e. LAC) setting. An advantage over UCB presumably is that you are immersed in a far more intimate and first rate undergraduate liberal arts setting (Berkeley is otherwise a huge state school). Good choices to have.</p>
<p>The main thing that Swarthmore would offer that Berkeley would not is the experience of a small liberal arts college. It is probably possible to take a good selection of courses outside of engineering at Berkeley, but it is a necessary part of a Swarthmore engineering program.</p>
<p>One thing available at Berkeley that is not at Swarthmore is the ability (or even requirement) to specialize in one type of engineering or another: civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, etc. At Swarthmore an engineering major graduates with a BS in general engineering.</p>
<p>If you don’t intend on going on to graduate school and intend to make a career, or at least start a career, as a practicing engineer, a program such as UC Berkeley may be a better fit. If you think you’d want to go on to graduate school anyway, and don’t really intend to start off a career as a civil engineer or chemical engineer (for example), and really want to be sure to develop the “liberal arts” side of your education, Swarthmore may be a better fit.</p>
<p>But the choice may depend more on what kind of learning environment suits you best. It is hard to imagine 2 educational settings that, while both being top notch academically, are more different in size and atmosphere.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice! At age 18, I’m obviously not sure I want to commit myself to a career in engineering, and I’m also interested in economics and political science. I heard Swat is great for those areas of study as well. :]</p>
<p>As far as grad school goes, how helpful is a masters degree for engineers career-wise? I have been researching it online, but I keep coming up with conflicting answers.</p>
<p>DS graduated from Swat in engineering a couple of years ago, so let me try to tackle your questions.</p>
<p>The Swat engrg program is tiny–usually about 30 students intending to major in engineering in the freshman class, which gets whittled down to half that by graduation. The B.S. is ABET certified and you do concentrate in a subfield–in my son’s year about half in civil engineering. But the number of subfields is limited, no chemical engrg in particular. You can take engineering courses at Penn–Swat will even reimburse you for your SEPTA ticket–if the course isn’t offered at Swat. Scheduling can be tricky tho, given the numerous required lab courses. (Wharton classes are NOT available to trico students tho–Swat, Haverford, Bryn Mawr.)</p>
<p>So that’s the downside of the small size.</p>
<p>The upside is the personal attention you’ll get from the engineering faculty from the start and the close friendships among the engineering students. Everyone, Honors or not, has to do E90, basically a senior thesis, which includes an oral presentation to the entire engineering faculty and engineering students. </p>
<p>As I’m sure you know Swat is very strong in econ and political science. </p>
<p>A lot of engineers do double major, graduating with both a BA and BS. I’m not sure if it’s offered any more but Prof McGarrity used to mentor a program in Engineering and Public Policy, which might align with your interests. </p>
<p>At Swat you will learn how to write, how to communicate, how to work in groups, and how to analyze the broader social and economic implications of engineering decisions. There is no place to hide. </p>
<p>I know nothing about the Berkeley engineering program other than it has long been considered one of the finest in the country. Your question there might be how/whether it will be affected by the California budget cuts. Swat’s finances are in pretty good shape.</p>
<p>As for the need for a master’s: I know of several students who were able to pass the FE exam during their senior year at Swat–and one woman who just passed her PE, without going to grad school. DS and others did go to grad school though, in my son’s case b/c his narrow area of interest was not taught at Swat. (A master’s is equivalent to a year of professional work in determining your eligibility to take professional engineering exams in the states I know about.) </p>
<p>If at all possible you should visit.</p>