<p>Yes, WPI does not report its SAT scores to the US Department of Education. It isn’t possible to compare WPI with other schools. I think it is a red flag about WPI.</p>
<p>Data comes from US Dept of Ed IPEDS website searcheable database. Hard to use. Queries are complex.</p>
<p>I appreciate that list also, thanks very much!</p>
<p>I wonder if i should post this topic, or a similar one, in the College Life forum, since I think that’s perhaps more in line with the nature of my question.</p>
<p>If the reporting is done separately from the CDS, then perhaps you are not allowed to submit SAT data if it the school **does not require **students to submit SAT scores? That would be my guess. WPI is test-optional (perhaps the only test-optional engineering school). But most students do submit SAT or ACT and the scores are pretty high (of course, because poor test takers didn’t send theirs). 88% submit SAT scores, 28% submit ACT.
So I would object to your use of the term “red-flag” with respect to WPI.</p>
<p>Also, I am looking on the National Center for Educational Statistics and I’m seeing lots of different tools. Could you please post a link to the one you are using? I would like to investigate more. I might ask someone at WPI as well.</p>
<p>I heard back from WPI and my theory was correct. When they fill out the data for IPEDS survey they are not allowed to input SAT/ACT test scores if they state that SAT/ACT scores are not required of all students. I can see why IPEDS would do it that way. But it can certainly skew search results in this case and for any other test-optional school. Just something to be aware of when using tools like that :-)</p>
<p>For the record, in the last year WPI graduated 823 total students with bachelors degrees:</p>
<p>247 of those were women</p>
<p>222 were women in STEM fields</p>
<p>149 were women in Engineering fields, specifically</p>
<p>Although this is great information (I am a mom also of a daughter who would like to major in engineering), I think what you are asking is more about the college culture of an RIT, WPI, etc… I wondered the same thing. There are several schools that I wanted my daughter to consider but she refused simply because the male/female ratio was too skewed. I think at RPI it is somewhere along the line of 70%male/30% female. She was just not interested. It’s too bad - I don’t know how these predominantly male schools attract more women!</p>
<p>I think WPI is doing a bunch of things: outreach programs with K-12 schools to get girls interested in STEM, summer programs on campus for middle and high school kids, significant merit scholarships for good female applicants, activities and support on campus for women, and continued expansion of academic programs that seem to interest women the most (biology/biotechnology, biomedical engineering, environmental, pre-med etc.). Also, participation in sororities is at a much higher level than fraternities. I’m sure there is much more that I am just not aware of since I only have a son there
This year’s freshman class was 34% female, so it is creeping up every year.</p>
<p>firsttimelisa that is exactly what I hoped and apparently women at these schools are so few on CC that not one has responded to either of two threads I’ve started on this But there has been helpful info shared nonetheless. </p>
<p>I think at this point D will just have to visit a couple and see how it feels.</p>
<p>As for the skew…I guess this is also why so few LACs will allow their ratios to get much past 60/40 F/M and prefer to stay close to 50/50. When things are WAY out of whack the school becomes less desirable on its own and significant merit and other programs are needed to balance. Truth is D would probably not consider these types of schools were it not for opportunities to get more support/pay less.</p>
<p>OHMom, one of my D’s high school friends is a sophomore at WPI. She is having the time of her life. She joined a sorority (not something anyone expected, including her) sings a cappella, was in a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta this fall, etc., etc. I’m sorry that I can’t be terribly specific, but she is happy academically and otherwise. She did not have to factor in finances when she chose WPI, but she did get a nice merit scholarship nonetheless.
Definitely worth your time to take a look!</p>
<p>You should definitely look at the University of Maryland (A. James Clark School of Engineering). Not only is it high on the lists for % of females, it really is an outstanding program. </p>
<p>They really place a high priority on retention in engineering, so they have amazing support. Here is the link to the special living-learning community for female engineers called FLEXUS (the male counterpart is VIRTUS)
[Flexus:</a> The Dr. Marilyn Berman Pollans Women in Engineering Living & Learning Community | Women in Engineering](<a href=“http://www.wie.umd.edu/undergrad/flexus]Flexus:”>Flexus | A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland)
Read through and make sure to open up the syllabi at the bottom of the page to get a better sense of the program.</p>
<p>Several years ago, they revamped the engineering program to include what they call “Keystone” classes to make sure that freshman have access to the best professors from the beginning rather than just as an upperclassman. </p>
<p>The decision of going to a university that does or does not have “tech” in the name is a personal one. Since there is already a low percentage of females in engineering, going to a “tech” school, in my opinion, exacerbates that. At least in a non-tech school, there is the opportunity to socialize with peers that have different interests (translate more female friends, less isolation). </p>
<p>On the bright side, a female applying for engineering is gold. </p>
<p>Is she a junior or senior? If she is a junior, and therefore hasn’t applied yet, bear in mind that for UMD, it is critical to apply by the Nov 1 priority date. That is the only way to be considered for merit scholarships. It is not a commitment, so no worries. </p>
<p>Best of luck in the college app/decision process.</p>
<p>Oops - forgot to mention this program that might be of interest, not only to get a feel for engineering options, but also to get a feel of the campus at Maryland.
[High</a> School: Exploring Engineering at the Univ of MD (E2@UMD) | Women in Engineering](<a href=“http://www.wie.umd.edu/k12/e2atumd]High”>http://www.wie.umd.edu/k12/e2atumd)</p>
<p>mary, that’s good to know about UMD - that summer program is actually on her short list of programs for this summer! If she is accepted and the dates work, she’ll go. I’d really like her to have a summer experience with it to see what she thinks.</p>
<p>She’s also doing a one day program called WIE Dream at Ohio State this winter, also to “get a feel” to see if engineering interests her.</p>
<p>She is a sophomore, just beginning her search.</p>