DS17 looking for Electrical/Computer Engineering degree…He’s a high school junior who is pretty intellectual and quite political. I think he would fit in well at some of the LAC’s but he’s adamant to get that eng degree as well. He’s a pubic speaker in Extemp/Debate who also loves to figure things out and fix them…he loves coding and can fix plugs, lamps, hang ceiling fans at 16yo. He’s president of his forensics team and has decent EC’s…probably going to be a NMSF from TN…(we hope). He loves gaming and is working on starting a Youtube channel for all that Xbox stuff…he’s teaching himself the editing software and producing the videos in his spare time of which there isn’t much. He loves writing as well.
We are going to Virginia Tech during spring break, and we also want to see Rose-Hulman. There is a huge distance between the two so I figured we could add Ohio State to the trip and see some Buckeyes, but I need suggestions. We can’t really afford RHIT since the most we could spend each year out of pocket would be $20K (EFC is in the $30s), but i wanted him to see it anyway. We have been to UA and Auburn already. Visited UTK and Tenn Tech as well. He likes all of those but I don’t think there was a ‘spark’ at any of them.
My concerns are that the engineering schools won’t give that writing/humanities/public policy part of his brain any attention, and that the LACs don’t really offer engineering except for a small few. He doesn’t want to a 3/2.
Any and all thoughts are appreciated…he’s open to double majors, different schools, long distance (though I’m not a fan of a drive home over 8 hours)…I would even take loans though I despise debt if we can find the right place that services the intellectual and STEM path for him. He wants to do his share so he is happy to take the Stafford loans each year.
We could be totally off the mark with this college tour and the schools we are visiting. If they are good schools for him, and this tour would be productive, do you guys know of any schools that would fit this kid in that general area to go see along the way?
What about medium-sized to large private research universities that have liberal arts and other colleges in addition to engineering schools?
I’m a student at one of those (Northwestern), and as an engineer, I have plenty of chances there (not “here”; currently studying abroad) to debate ad talk politics and all sorts of non-engineering things with people from diverse intellectual and personal backgrounds, and its awesome.
Yes anything like that sounds perfect. He loves Chicago as well. It seems somewhat affordable now that i’m looking at it, and I had previously discarded the notion that $68K per year was impossible. The NPC is saying $39K each year which would be a stretch though and feels very uncomfortable. Our family business is probably throwing off the numbers since I am not sure how to enter those numbers…But like I said, if its the absolute place, I am open (have to convince hubby though)
My first thought reading your post was University of Rochester as long as he is okay with cold. Intellectual campus with the possibility of merit aid, engineering, medium size university, fairly open curriculum and option of 5th yr fr.
You may want to research Lafayette College in Easton, PA. They have engineering, they also have a strong debate/forensics team. My S’s best friend attends there and has had a wonderful experience.
Waving hi from TN! We were a bit underwhelmed with the financial offer from VATech-- financially not doable for us. I would look at honors colleges within larger universities-- often the honors college require seminar classes that focus on humanities/social science/global interests which may appeal to the that side of him while still being able to pursue the engineering major.
I would try running the net price calculator on some of the LACs that have engineering such as Lafayette, Bucknell, Union, Trinity. For full disclosure my D is at Lafayette (loves it) and I agree with the post above – it sounds like it could be a great for for your S if it is affordable.
Swarthmore…the MOST entertaining direct mail campaign ever! The snarky tone in their writing is exactly who he is…I but its 13 hours away, and we aren’t very familiar with the northeast, to be honest. Totally open to it.
One more to add to your list: Trinity U in TX. It’s an LAC, despite the “University” in its name. They offer Electrical Engineering and have an excellent CS department. They also offer great merit aid to kids with high stats, and it looks like they even have a debate scholarship, as well (which would stack with other merit aid): https://new.trinity.edu/academics/departments/human-communication-and-theatre/human-communication/scholarships
Their new $280m science center that houses both engineering and CS is nothing short of spectacular.
An engineering curriculum anywhere will include substantial liberal arts – about 25% math and science and usually about 20-25% humanities and social studies. Different schools have different levels of student choice in the latter area.
This sounds like my kid. I have been wondering if students in schools of engineering have the same liberal arts/general ed/core requirements as students in other schools within the same university. Or does this vary by institution?
Rochester is in USDA Zone 6a (average annual extreme minimum temp -10F to -5F), while Chicago is in 5b (avg. -15F to -10F), so there is a difference, but living in 5b about 30 minutes from 6a, I’d say the zone difference isn’t significant.
You may want to look at Clemson University. They have a good engineering program and also have a fairly new program call the Lyceum Scholars program which also has a scholarship program. It studies the classics and emphasizes political thought and the basis of a free thinking society. You can find out more on their website.
I wouldn’t underestimate the ability to “engage” at a large public research university (like “The” Ohio State University). These are schools that pride themselves on excelling as comprehensive universities, in areas from public service, humanities, to engineering. They also have a huge number of ECs, clubs and organizations that he could join, including getting involved in leadership positions, student government, and political parties. The list is endless.
Sticking with OSU as an example (thought I’m more a SEC kinda guy), they have over 1,200 student organizations…check out the student organizations at OSU:
Gator is right! He can find what he is looking for at a large public, so keep them on the table if affordable. I also thought of U of Rochester and Tufts, though I don’t think Tufts offers merit money.
My D is a McCormick alum - and she was big in her NU engineering discipline debate. She is also a first-class artist and athlete. Also have son who is a current engineering student / athlete - and I had opportunity to see both kids do their Engineering First presentations - and it is amazing to view the tremendous results generated by the freshmen students.
NU’s current Ad Campaign is “Northwestern Direction” -http://www.northwestern.edu/about/our-people/index.html and is all about attracting and helping the right brain & left brain student. NU wants your engineering student that likes to debate!
@Mom24boys U of Roch is good for him…doesn’t mind cold, however, I was a little confused with the NPC…the merit aid of $12000 made the grant go down $8000 and work study go down $$2000. I understand there’s less need with the merit and this happens at lots of schools, but it still rankles.
Adding others you mentioned to the list…thanks so much!
@happy1@college_query Thanks for info on Lafayette…why does PA have to be so far away?? Just kidding. Adding to the list and will update when DS gets a chance to look at the websites. Thanks!