<p>Dukect, there are LOTS of schools which will give your son a good education in either of those fields. The top-ranked programs at MIT and Carnegie Mellon are obvious choices, but the other major engineering schools would meet his educational goals, too.</p>
<p>Beyond the big schools, places like Rose-Hulman, Harvey Mudd, and Olin are well known in engineering circles. Some places with lesser prestige you might look into are Cal Poly-SLO, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Alabama-Huntsville, San Jose State, Union, Rowan, Bradley, and Milwaukee School of Engineering. All would be good choices, and they are among the MANY schools which meet the threshhold of providing a good engineering education. Once you meet that threshhold, you can base your school choice decision on other factors (size, location, cost, etc.).</p>
<p>Note that even among the small list I gave, there are differences. For instance, Cal Poly and MSOE are very much “hands-on” schools. Obviously, it’s a good idea to have a fit between the school’s emphasis and the student’s interests.</p>
<p>ASU also has a highly regarded landscape architecture program. I think you are wise to look at the program first and the overall school second. Especially if you have a focused student.</p>
<p>One concern I would have with entering a highly regarded program at a not so highly regarded college is the possibility that the student will change his mind about his major (it happens a lot), but then find that the other programs at the school are of disappointing quality–even to the point that the student might feel compelled to remain in a program that he no longer cares for. I can’t imagine allowing my teenager to commit to a field as narrow as landscape architecture without being assured that he has an acceptable escape hatch. (Of course transferring to a better institution is always an option, but once friendships and community ties are established at one school, it can be an unappealing alternative, as well as a difficult one if grades aren’t quite strong.)</p>
<p>MommaJ, I would only agree with you if the student was entering a BA type of degree and to not pick a college for the major as the primary selection criteria as many kids change majors. However, I disagree with you when it comes to specialized degree programs such as the BArch in Landscape Architecture or the BFA in Musical Theater as two examples. Students who enter such programs, apply directly to the program (including portfolios or auditions and such) and in fact, the only students who are appropriate candidates for such specialized degree programs are those prepared to make a 100% commitment to that field. If a student even has an inkling that they have more than one interest or is not sure of this major or wants a double major or a back up plan, etc., then such a student is not truly the ideal candidate to enter such programs that require a commitment, let alone a large portion of their academics will be in this major (not like a BA major where 30% of the coursework is in the major, but rather where 65% or more coursework will be in the major). It is a different college selection process than for those seeking a BA degree. Sure, some will still change their mind or realize it is not for them but they can transfer in such a case. </p>
<p>PSI…your son has gotten into two top programs in his field and that will bode well for him as those in the field will know which programs are top notch. Yes, you do have to look at the rest of the university and so I am not discounting that, but it is a secondary selection factor. As I said, when my kid sought a specialized degree program, she went where the best programs were located, but if she had a choice, she preferred a strong program that was also in a more selective university setting and so she was able to get that in her case, but if she had to, she’d have attended a top (very selective) program in a less selective university. I don’t know what other schools your son is applying to and don’t have the top UG Landscape Arch programs at my fingertips, but perhaps there is a very selective program in a more selective university that he might gravitate toward. Then again, so much of his time will be spent in studio with the other arch students (I have a kid in grad school for arch and so I know this field well).</p>
<p>D. is in extremely selective program that used to accept only 10 freshmen and now is cancelled. She considers herself very very lucky to get in while it was still available. She had to go thru extensive application process with interview (by invitation only). She is at state school. In regard to academics, she is with general student body, taking the same classes. She needs to maintain GPA=3.45 to retain her spot in a program and she will need certain Graduate admission test score. Classes have been extremely challenging, but she is successful survivor so far (junior) with GPA=4.0. She has graduated #1 in her class from small private prep. school that consistently sends couple top kids to very top Ivy’s (Harvard and such). D. had no desire to go to any elite school and very happy with her choice and opportunities that top caliber students have at state university, including full tuition Merit scholarships, the best job on campus, research lab interships and others.</p>
<p>There is a poster, gbesq, with a D at K-State. She turned down more highly ranked schools to attend K-State’s strong animal science program. I believe she is very happy there. You might PM her for more info about her experiences.</p>
<p>Psi, I know one young graduate and two 4th year students in the regular (as opposed to Landscape) Architecture program at LSU. From what I’ve heard, the kids in this program are serious competitive students who spend many hours in the labs in the Design building. Like all college kids, they make some time for fun, but I seriously would not worry about a party atmosphere. LSU is a big school and the Architecture kids are their own tribe basically because they spend so much time together. If everyone around you is focused, you wouldn’t even be aware of what other people on campus were doing unless you chose to.</p>
<p>Within the Architecture program, they submit a portfolio at the end of sophomore year to “apply” (or to stay in) the remainder of the program. This requirement keeps the students focused. There also seem to be numerous travel related educational opportunities within this program, both in the U.S. and internationally. The one young graduate I know received multiple job offers prior to graduation and is working for a firm in Boston. Good luck to your son!</p>
<p>soozievt, you hit the nail on the head in regard to entering into the design majors. Many majors in schools of arch/land arch/design are pre-professional or professional programs and seem different from other BA/BS majors. These programs seem more like grad school, in many respects.</p>
<p>to the OP
S is in a competitive program at his not first tier public state flagship campus.Almost all the programs in his major were housed at non top tier schools, and the ones that were in higher tiers he rejected for one reason or another. The saving grace is that he is in the Honors College program at his school,which has provided a cohert of students like him, and a great selection of honors specific coursework (both for general ed requirements like Englsh, and for enriched offerings),different housing options,activities and scholarship opportunities.His experience has been positive overall.
D also took this option as a music performance/honors college student at ASU a few years back.It worked out beautifully for her.</p>
<p>My son who is a junior is looking at aerospace or petroleum engineering. He has very high grades in challenging classes but does not always do well in standard tests. He hasn’t taken the sat or act yet. He also wants to continue in marchng band. We are looking at programs all over the country. I am leaning toward what the op was talking about. Trying to find a great program in a lesser tier school so we may get some merit money and he may be able to march. I know at the Texas schools, along with LSU and Alabama the marching band is competitive and takes alot of time. I don’t know how these kids manage engineering and band and other stuff.</p>
<p>The band isn’t a deal braker but he would sure like to continue marching. Would settle for pep band if necessary. Does anyone have any suggesion for him for top programs in lesser known schools. We are Virginia residents but he is willing to consider anywhere.</p>
<p>hokiefan, have you considered Texas Tech or Texas A&M? I have heard that both have good petroleum engineering programs. Tech may be a little easier to get into if you are out of state.</p>
<p>A surprising evidence for this is San Jose State University Computer Engineering Department. It’s 2009 ranking is 5th in US for colleges with BS/MS.</p>
<p>1 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, IN
2 Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CA
3 California Polytechnic State University–San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
Cooper Union New York, NY
5 Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA
San Jose State University San Jose, CA</p>
<p>It beats nearby private well regarded Santa Clara University as well as others more known colleges/universities in and outside California.</p>
<p>psi,
Check out the University of Georgia – [College</a> of Environment and Design](<a href=“http://www.ced.uga.edu/]College”>http://www.ced.uga.edu/)<br>
They have a very good Honors Program these days, too, and offer some really nice scholarships for tippy-top students. (Wish these resources were around when I was there!) My roommate at freshman orientation many moons ago was an LA major and in the honors program as well.</p>
<p>UMD is very highly ranked in comp sci and engineering, too…we know lots of kids who take the merit $$ over bigger name schools and have done quite well.</p>
<p>hokiefan and psi…look at NC State for engineering and landscape architecture.
S1 has a good friend who came from Iowa to go to NCSU for the Landscape Arch. program. I have seen his drawings…really good. He also spent a semester abroad (Prague) through the NCSU College of Design. </p>
<p>Hokiefan, the NCSU band (The Power Sound of the South) is really good but don’t think it’s overly competitive. A friend’s D is currently a member. I think they practice three times a week.</p>
<p>The landscape architecture program at University of Georgia is in the top 3 programs for both undergrad and grad I believe.</p>
<p>And Engineering is indeed a focal program at NC State. My daughter visited this campus to look at another program and the Engineering programs there appear to be well funded and highly regarded.</p>
<p>Engineering and Geology at LSU are strong programs with opportunities for internships with local oil companies. I work with a lady whose daughter graduated with an undergrad degree in Geology and had a summer internship with Exxon in Houston making a higher salary than either of her parents make; she’s now enrolled in a Ph.D. program in New Mexico I think. The internship with Exxon was contingent on having a Ph.D. program offer/accpetance in hand because they encourage graduate study.</p>
<p>Petroleum engineering is a bit different. You can’t just say they are strong in engineering and hope they also have petroleum so look a little closer hokiefan.</p>
<p>I would look to the oil producing states and programs with strong links to Industry</p>
<p>Texas, Oklahoma, LSU and other gulf state schools are very strong. Look into Missouri Rolla as well as it is Highly regarded school in those circles. Penn State is also solid.</p>
<p>There are some good programs in the Rockies as well
Colorado School of Mines is a top 10 program imho.</p>
<p>Univ of Wyoming has a very intriguing program and excellent industry connections. The marching band is called Rocky Mountain Thunder and well regarded. Very affordable school with good scholarships as well.</p>