Transferring, Civil Engineering-Is it worth it?

Transfer Students
1

Hey folks. I’m currently at Clarkson University for Civil Engineering and am considering transferring.

Let’s assume for the sake of this discussion that all finances are off the table.

I’m looking at the following schools: Cornell, WPI, RPI(accepted), UMASS Amherst(accepted), and Northeastern. The unspecified decisions have not come back yet; I am optimistic aside from Cornell.

The story is as follows: I was a so-so student in high school. Never really tried, did well in easy classes. I got into Clarkson and have attended it for the past year, doing extremely well-student government, multiple clubs, research. I have a better social life than I ever thought possible(definitely was not super popular in HS, now I have a solid friend group here). To top it off, academically speaking I’m doing phenomenally, I’ve gone from a 3.4 weighted in HS to a 3.923 here, on track for a 4.0 this semester.

The academic gap is what draws me to transferring. I’m doing better at Clarkson than I thought possible now that I’m working hard on my studies. The million dollar question is, is a more rigorous and stronger program better for me, or should I stay at Clarkson? While Clarkson has a strong Civil Engineering program, the schools on my list have a stronger program and all have better locations, campuses, climates, food(not a serious gripe but at Clarkson it’s reallllyyyyy bad), and I imagine more university funding.

Not to mention, is it worth it to give up what I have here? I’ve got friends, activities; both of which can be regained I suppose. But I also have a few job offers, a few research teams I can join, and Clarkson has an impeccable career center, only beaten(in schools on my list) by Northeastern.

What do people think is worth it? Do I take a chance on a stronger program, or stick with what’s tried, true, and working? Personally, I don’t see myself coming back next year. But I worry that it’ll be hard to get back what I’ve gotten here.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance folks.

2

Engineering is pretty much the same everywhere. Your classes won’t necessarily be more rigorous, and your classmates won’t necesarily be smarter becuase engineering is a famously demanding major everywhere that does weed out the folks who aren’t hardworking and committed. There may be some up-grade in the general student population, but again not necessarily.

As for your current options for research, etc. there can be advantages in being the bigger fish in the smaller pond. I expect that is what you are wondering about - will you lose some better opportunities if you do transfer. Well, what are your research interests so far? Are the faculty at X, Y, or Z working on related topics? What do you see in their websites and lists of publications? What evidence can you find there about the strength of their funding sources right now?

And, when the aid packages come in, are any of the places at least as affordable for you as Clarkson?

One last thing. If the food really is that dreadful at Clarkson, how soon could you move off campus or into a dorm where you don’t have to be on a meal plan?

3

Food: The best I can do is my junior year, I’m currently a Freshman. Unfortunately, even that’s not certain.

My research interests tend to lie a bit more outside the lab; there’s a project based on LEED for communities I’d like to get involved with provided I stay, beyond that I’m looking more at sustainable materials/systems and design principles, as well as infrastructure. I’ve just been trying to get experience for the time being, but most of the civil engineering department at Clarkson(save for the LEED project) seems to be outside of my interest area.

I would need to do more looking. Clarkson has been pulling back funding because enrollment is down this year, and certain aspects of the school are combining into what I worry may be a self-fulfilling prophecy. I know RPI has a few transportation research areas. I’ll be looking more at this when I have a list of what’s financially viable or not.

I am presuming for the sake of this discussion that monetarily speaking, the schools are viable personally. Clarkson is around $30000 for me, I am hoping to remain within $10-15000 of that, all costs included. UMASS Amherst currently lies within that range. I have an acceptance from RPI, but am waiting on financial aid. I am waiting on decisions on everything else.

Right now, I’m trying to narrow down what matters, and as a general rule, what’s worth it and what isn’t. I can focus on the specific stuff such as research, etc, when I have decisions and hopefully financially viable choices.

4

The answer is in your question. Clarkson, food aside, is serving you well. For whatever the reason, your skill set appears to be thriving at Clarkson. If you were not happy there, you would not be questioning the transfer option.

Clarkson is not “chopped liver” no matter what bragging you may hear from/regarding other schools. Their academics are known and respected in the engineering world. You are not risking job placement or graduate school opportunities by graduating from there. If you keep up your GPA and aspire to a graduate degree, you will be a very strong candidate anywhere. If you want to impress strangers at parties who are not familiar with engineering schools, go to Cornell for your MS.

As a WPI alumnus, I do hope Clarkson continues to run circles around RPI Hockey! Check out your record! See http://www.clarksonathletics.com/schedule.aspx?path=mhock Stay involved in the university life and savor what Clarkson has to offer.

WPI '67, club ice hockey player. (we do not have our own an ice rink).