Okay, so i originally had a list of 15 schools and I have been able to narrow it down to 6. Montana State, Barrett Honor College at Arizona State, Colorado State, Washington State, University of Oklahoma, and University of Minnesota.
All of the schools are about the same financially, Montana being a little cheaper than the rest. I toured Barrett and the Arizona State campus and really liked it and am starting to lean in that direction but wanted to get some advice on here before I commit anywhere first. I am looking to major in chemical engineering. I enjoy sports and having an active social/nightlife but I am also very studious and hardworking in school. Looking for a fun time, with great academics, and great chances of being hired by top notch employers at graduation. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Minnesota has by far the top Chem Eng of your schools listed. You’ll need decent stats to get in Eng. there and do well your freshman yr to get in Chem. but if you are willing to dedicate yourself it will be worth it.
Thanks! I already got accepted into the engineering department there. 32ACT and ranked 7/360 in my class. The main draw back for me with minnesota though is the weather. Sub zero weather everyday for 4 years seems pretty rough. Especially when barrett seems to have a good program and is 80 all winter
So you’ll only be attending school in Dec, Jan and Feb? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_the_Twin_Cities 
@dmorris1017 - Erin’s Dad is correct - April - Oct in MN is very nice and comfortable. Who knows, you may want to attend a summer session, then where would you rather be. Minnesota also has an extensive tunnel and bus system, where you don’t need to go outside if you don’t want to. But, most importantly is the long term view. Where will you get the best education and career opportunities? Not that rankings are always valid but they are an indication. In Chem Eng., US News has MN #3, one step ahead of Stanford. Not sure how you’d pass that up.
What are your parents saying? Do they have a preference? Have they said that they’ll pay for these schools?
Are these schools your least expensive?
Are you having to take out loans to attend them?
edited to add…
You mention that your parents aren’t paying and that you’re “on your own”…You really should have said THAT in this thread. You say that your parents will pay for food and your ticket home to Alaska.
So…how would you pay for ANY of these schools???
YOU can only borrow $5500.
Recently, there was a mom posting that her D would like to attend a particular school that would leave her with $70k in debt…and the mom said, “well, it’s her choice”.
Uh…mom had NO IDEA that she would be expected to cosign the majority of those loans. oops. Suddenly “choice” was no longer an option.
Minnesota-Twin Cities has one of the best ChE departments in the U.S. Arizona State is good. Colorado State claims it has the best ChE department in the state.
You are apparently a student in AK. Have you looked into WUE schools which give you a tuition break? http://wiche.edu/wue ASU is on there, as are Wash State and Colo State.
Due to scholarships, and some of the money I have saved I will be able to get through my first year of college with maybe 10,000 to 15,000 dollars that I would have to make up. I can probably get my parents to help me with that because that is just the first year and then I will be eligible for the GI bill which according to the GI calculations will bring down the cost to maybe $2,000 for everything for the most expensive school on my list and that will be for my 2nd and 3rd years, and if my sister stays in alaska I will be able to use it for the 4th year as well. So I just need to get through the first year of college finances.
Hmmm. There are a lot of “ifs” in your plans.
For a cost bargain and an excellent engineering education, take a look at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. SDSM&T draws students from the west coast as well as the midwest. The total cost of attendance for a non-South Dakota resident for the 2013-2015 academic years was approximately $21,000.
I talked with my parents and they are willing to help me the first year with the loan I will need to get through the first year.
No offense to south Dakota, but that really isn’t the place I see myself being. Outside of school I don’t see much to do around that area and the there is 8 males to every 1 female at that school so I don’t think I would enjoy life at SDSM&T. And with the approximate cost being around $21,000 that puts me pretty much in the same situation with the colleges I listed in my original post when scholarships are included.
So really, I would appreciate help with input on any of the schools I orginally listed. I am in alaska, I don’t know a ton about the lower 48 and what it is like at these schools besides arizona.
Actually, the ratio of female undergrads at Mines is approximately 25%. And there is a chapter of ‘Women in Engineering’ that is very active at Mines. The president of Mines is a woman, Rhodes Scholar and former Member of Congress. As for “…much to do around the area,” you ever hear of the Black Hills and the Badlands region, or Mount Rushmore. Loads of recreational activities exist in and around Rapid City, SD. And not as much snow as Juneau or Ketchikan, LOL. But enough of my cheerleading; Mines isn’t for everyone.