<p>Georgia Tech does not seem to have a big selection of H/SS majors, though.</p>
<p>[GT</a> | Degree Programs](<a href=“http://www.gatech.edu/degrees/]GT”>http://www.gatech.edu/degrees/) lists the following H/SS bachelor’s degree programs:</p>
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<p>Note the absence of such common H/SS majors as English literature, history (general), political science (general), and psychology.</p>
<p>I’ve taught at Cal Poly, some Cal States, and at some of the UCs. You’re right in that the fundamental courses are largely the same, but the material is taught at a faster pace with some graduate level concepts sprinkled in at the more competitive colleges because the kids can handle it. At a tech school with average SAT math test scores that aren’t even close to 700 (pretty surprising in my mind), how can the kids be expected to handle advanced material at a fast pace?</p>
<p>I too look at college as an investment. In today’s tough economy, it’s not uncommon for engineering companies to desire a masters/graduate degree from a top school. Needless to say, it’s easier to get into a top engineering graduate school coming from an elite engineering undergrad. This is even besides the starting salaries from elite privates that are substantially higher than the usual tech salaries. </p>
<p>A Stanford/MIT/Hopkins/Northwestern engineer is not “just an engineer” - that is why the former few are coming out with new startups every day. They will almost always have access to options and doors never open to grads from the typical tech schools.</p>
<p>What I think he was saying was that the prestigious college helps students get into grad school which may help with employment prospects. If you look at the graduate student bios from many top engineering and geology institutions, you’ll see that most of the grad students came from top schools, far more than would be expected if prestige of a school within the field played no role in graduate school admissions.</p>
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<p>This is true but it’s not a surprise. You need to be aware that there are several levels of engineering firms. Some firms only produce some low tech devices that most engineers can create. Some firms provide products that require high technologies and very strong teams of engineers. Some high tech firms don’t look at your resume if you don’t graduate from a good engineering school. Not all engineers are equal.</p>
<p>Isn’t it fairly common for good engineers to have grad school subsidized by employers?</p>
<p>In the past, many technology firms had very generous programs to allow employees to get grad degrees at company expense, including paid time off to finish a degree. Ah, the good old days.
I don’t think you can generalize any more about what companies offer. There are fewer giant companies with great benefits and lots more smaller companies with a greater variation in benefits.
Another thing to consider is that I find most engineers I know are working 50-60 hours a week, not including commuting time, so there is less time to go to school while working.
It probably varies a lot among different disciplines and business sectors (government versus a small start-up for example). So I think it is worth staying for a master’s degree rather than waiting to do it later while employed.</p>
<p>Some schools are offering a co-terminal BS/MS combination where you can get both degrees simultaneously with the financial aid package that the student has for undergraduate study. This is usually much better than you get for a MS program after you graduate (unless you go to a program that provides TA and RA support for Masters students). I believe RPI has these as does my school, IIT. I am sure that they are available elsewhere as well.</p>