which college to chose?

[bert5412]

im am currently a junior in high school. My parents/teachers/councelers are all trying to help me chose a college to go to, but im having a hard time deciding. Could anyone recommend some colleges. Im looking into engineering, i have a 3.6 GPA, probably gonna score a 2100 on SAT's, im taking engineering electives, excel in physics and mathematics, and i live in pennsylvania.

currently im looking in to pennstate, RIT, and MIT

[MotorToad]

I know nothing of your financial situation, but out of state tuition has killed the college plans of a lot of people. Even if you have scholarships you have to maintain those scholarships, and that might not be as easy as it seems if you luck into a "friend" or two that doesn't like clothes. For engineering, the important things are ABET (http://www.abet.org/) certification, projects (FSAE car, autonomous robot competitions, etc.), and internships.

If I had the option, I would chose a college that's in state, close enough to keep ties at home, but far enough that the 'rents won't drop by on a whim. If you're strong enough academically to completely exist without those social ties I mention, then go anywhere you care to.

[bert5412]

that you.
I looked into ABET and it seems my top choices had ABET certified programs

as far as my finatial situation, lets just say my parents have it covered

[Johannes Factotum]

I actually go to RIT. I don't know that much about Penn State or MIT but here is what I know about RIT .

RIT is sort of an odd case there are a lot of engineers and computer geeks but there are also a lot of art students. If you get into a group of friends that contains both you can have a really great time.
The best part about RIT, academically, is the fact that engineers are required to do co-ops and the school is set up to help you find them. This means that you get about 15 months of work experience where you are getting paid 12 to 20 dollars an hour.
The most common complaint about RIT is that there is nothing to do. This is true if you don't try and join a group or reach out. If you do reach out there is more than plenty to do. I currently do a sport, student government and am double majoring.

If you have any questions email me

[faranim]

I had very similar GPA and SAT scores when I was looking at colleges. I ended up choosing the University of Delaware (I am from NY) because they offered a 1/2 tuition scholarship based purely on my grades. All I had to do was maintain a 3.0 to keep the money, which was easy for me. And I feel that their engineering and computer science programs were both very good - I was able to land a great job right out of college. They also supposedly have one of the best Chemical Engineering programs, but I am more of a computer person

[22/7]

I know nothing of your financial situation, but out of state tuition has killed the college plans of a lot of people. Even if you have scholarships you have to maintain those scholarships, and that might not be as easy as it seems if you luck into a "friend" or two that doesn't like clothes.

This is really more of an issue for state schools than private ones.

[RockoTDF]

I know nothing of your financial situation, but out of state tuition has killed the college plans of a lot of people. Even if you have scholarships you have to maintain those scholarships, and that might not be as easy as it seems if you luck into a "friend" or two that doesn't like clothes.

This is really more of an issue for state schools than private ones.

Private schools are even more expensive than out-of-state schools though.

To the OP:
You seem to have high aspirations, and the credentials to have lots of options. Just keep in mind that sometimes reputations/ratings in certain areas may be counterintuitive (or meaningless in the case of ratings). For example, look at any science/engineering area, and you will see that 9 of the top 10 schools are expected (MIT, Caltech, berkeley, etc) but one of them is some Big State U or place you've never heard of that would be cheaper and not the most stressful four years of hell you have ever experienced.

Are you planning on going into the workforce, do you have any interest in grad school, etc? its a long way away but the more you know now the better you can plan.

[22/7]

Private schools are even more expensive than out-of-state schools though.

Yes and no. The thing about private institutions is that they hand out far more academic scholarships (per person attending) than do public ones. It was actually *much* cheaper for me to go to a private school 900 miles away (tuition just under $30,000/yr, not counting room, board, books, etc.) than it was to stay instate and go to a state school (tuition just under $20,000/yr) because I was able to get scholarships. Many people assume that this is the only number to look at when pricing schools, but it certainly is not. My scholarship availability at the instate school was 0, which is the same amount I paid at the private school.

[pr1mu5]

I'd recommend a public community college, if you don't know the difference between 'chose' and 'choose'.

[zingmaster]

There is no alternative for visiting a college. It depends on where you feel the most comfortable. When you visit, ask yourself if you can really see yourself attending in the fall. Look at it this way: In the end, you're going to get a good education, regardless of where you go. Don't get caught up in the names. I could have gone to Carnegie Mellon, but instead I came to UW - Madison. It's impossible to describe why, since it's a gut feeling and everyone's standards and expectations are different. I don't know if you've visited these places yet, but I would highly recommend it. Talk to professors about the programs. Walk around. Take it all in. It'll feel weird at first, but you'll get better the more you do it.

[bert5412]

There is no alternative for visiting a college. It depends on where you feel the most comfortable. When you visit, ask yourself if you can really see yourself attending in the fall. Look at it this way: In the end, you're going to get a good education, regardless of where you go. Don't get caught up in the names. I could have gone to Carnegie Mellon, but instead I came to UW - Madison. It's impossible to describe why, since it's a gut feeling and everyone's standards and expectations are different. I don't know if you've visited these places yet, but I would highly recommend it. Talk to professors about the programs. Walk around. Take it all in. It'll feel weird at first, but you'll get better the more you do it.

thanks for the advise. I've already visited a few colleges and I'm going up to RIT in december. your post also made me realize that I am getting way too caught up in picking a college (which is partly my parents fault)

[Ketzerei]

Cornell has an engineering school which (as I'm led to believe by my friends who are in it) is pretty good/definitely not too easy. If you ever come visit I can get one of my engi pals to show you around if you want.

[phycoman]

I am a recent grad of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Terre Haute, IN), where I did electrical and mechanical engineering. The other main school that I considered was Case-Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH). Personally, I liked both schools very much. I actually attended a summer program at Rose-Hulman after my junior year of high school, where I spend three weeks on campus. As for Case-Western, I knew a professor there, and also attending an over-night program run by the admissions department, where I stayed with some students on campus. The schools were different in size, environment, and many other things, but both appealed to me greatly. In the end, I chose Rose-Hulman, because I liked the smaller campus body, and the focus on undergrad education because these were most important to me.

My biggest suggestion would be to visit the campuses, and get a feel of the student body, professors, everything and anything you can. I would really suggest an over-night stay if possible, because you can get immersed in the school experience a little more, without your parents or admissions around. Also, I would suggest going to classes while you are there. If you do an overnight program, ask a student if you can go to a few classes with them (or ask the admissions office if you can sit in on one).

It is a pretty big decision, but one that you being a junior have a long time to look into. Also, I looked at several other schools, including University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Bucknell University. I am originally for Pittsburgh, so that's why a lot of schools I looked at are from that area. If you have any questions on my experiences with the schools I looked at, post back here, or PM me, I'd be happy to talk with you more.

[bert5412]

thank our for all your reples. im definitly going to look into visiting the colleges that interest me

[aleflamedyud]

I am currently a junior in high school. My parents, teachers, and counselors are all trying to help me choose a college to go to, but I'm having a hard time deciding. Could anyone recommend some colleges? I'm looking into engineering, I have a 3.6 GPA, I will probably score a 2100 on the SAT's, I'm taking engineering electives, I excel in physics and mathematics, and I live in Pennsylvania.

Currently I'm looking into Penn State, RIT, and MIT.

First of all, learn to write proper English. You'll never score well on your writing SAT with what I saw above (I corrected it for you in my quotation.), and you'll never go far in the work world if you can't communicate well. Not everyone speaks in equations.

Second of all, disregard nearly everything your guidance counselors tell you. They are worse than useless the vast majority of the time, and can best serve you by filling out useless paperwork whenever possible. Don't feel ashamed about increasing their workload, because getting you into college is their job.

Third of all, take a damned hard look at yourself. What you see determines where, when and how you will do your best.

Beyond that, there are no hard-and-fast rules except this one: avoid art school.

[zingmaster]

I am currently a junior in high school. My parents, teachers, and counselors are all trying to help me choose a college to go to, but I'm having a hard time deciding. Could anyone recommend some colleges? I'm looking into engineering, I have a 3.6 GPA, I will probably score a 2100 on the SAT's, I'm taking engineering electives, I excel in physics and mathematics, and I live in Pennsylvania.

Currently I'm looking into Penn State, RIT, and MIT.

First of all, learn to write proper English. You'll never score well on your writing SAT with what I saw above (I corrected it for you in my quotation.), and you'll never go far in the work world if you can't communicate well. Not everyone speaks in equations.

Second of all, disregard nearly everything your guidance counselors tell you. They are worse than useless the vast majority of the time, and can best serve you by filling out useless paperwork whenever possible. Don't feel ashamed about increasing their workload, because getting you into college is their job.

Third of all, take a damned hard look at yourself. What you see determines where, when and how you will do your best.

Beyond that, there are no hard-and-fast rules except this one: avoid art school.

He's got a point, ya know. Proper English is a good place to start. I don't care if this is only a forum; be careful of how you say things.

But I wouldn't necessarily listen to that thing about guidance counselors. My counselor was very helpful, but I suppose it varies by school. You'll just have to meet yours to find out.

And about art school...heh, music isn't exactly the most promising area of study either. But do what you want to do. Still, I like what he said--take a damned hard look at yourself. From every aspect. That'll help.

[b.i.o]

If you're a junior you should be getting a pretty large list of potentials together-- 10-20 is good. In the spring and over the summer you can make visits and see what you like and what you don't. Sites like collegeboard.com can help with getting general lists together. Books can also be helpful--the Princeton review's guide to the 300-something best colleges was the best thing that I found for a quick profile of a college--I liked especially that it had perspectives from the students on the school rather than just the stats, which tell you very little.

[janusx]

I recommend Purdue University Engineering program (West Lafayette, IN) it's a strong program and gives you a lot of flexability being a large school.

[joeframbach]

I looked at several other schools, including University of Pittsburgh

Just... don't live in Towers your freshman year. You'll turn into a drunk.

[rflrob]

If you want to do aerospace, I'm led to believe that CU Boulder has a darned good program. Something about being in close proximity to NORAD ... I'm not sure how good the school is otherwise, and how happy students tend to be, though, which can also be important factors.

[Phi]

Apply to UCSD too (And maybe Berkeley? Eh, it's not for everybody. But let's just say that the UC system is nice for engineering, and that's where I'm applying)

[zingmaster]

It's more than choosing a good program, though. So all these people who are telling you to apply to a certain place just because of the program are relying too much on name. Really, what matters the most is whether you can truly see yourself enjoying the college for all four years...or however long you plan on staying. Anywhere you go, you will get a good education. There is no doubt about that. Look at it this way: you could study under famous people but hate where you live, or you could study under mediocre people and love where you live. I'd say the latter option is far better. And hey, these people had to know something in order to get a teaching job, right? If the classes don't offer you the challenges you seek, go to the professors themselves. There are always plenty of ways to get more out of college than just what they hand you in lecture.

[hobbesmaster]

Look at it this way: you could study under famous people but hate where you live, or you could study under mediocre people and love where you live.

Also keep this in mind: large research universities will always have people famous for something.

[zingmaster]

Look at it this way: you could study under famous people but hate where you live, or you could study under mediocre people and love where you live.

Also keep this in mind: large research universities will always have people famous for something.

True, but I was talking from an extreme viewpoint to make a comparison. If you had to choose between atmosphere and academics, it would be wisest to go with atmosphere. People could argue that point. But you're right, chances are that you'll get the best of both worlds, especially at a larger university.

[Azrael]

I'd like to second the Purdue & Cornell suggestions.

If you're looking at RIT, there's RPI to keep in mind too.
Same thing with WPI, if you're willing to come to MA.

[Puzzlemaker]

I umm... actually only applied to one college. And got in.

[aleflamedyud]

I'd like to second the Purdue & Cornell suggestions.

If you're looking at RIT, there's RPI to keep in mind too.
Same thing with WPI, if you're willing to come to MA.

Sure, if you actually want to deal with the Rensselaer Ratio.

I chose not to go to RPI last year. Can't you tell?

[Marbas]

I'd like to second the Purdue & Cornell suggestions.

If you're looking at RIT, there's RPI to keep in mind too.
Same thing with WPI, if you're willing to come to MA.

Sure, if you actually want to deal with the Rensselaer Ratio.

I chose not to go to RPI last year. Can't you tell?

I actually spent a two-week stint at WPI as part of a summer program and I would actually recommend against it as well, WPI has the same horrible gender ratio problem and well, the campus just has this sort of...ingrown...feeling. I can't really explain it. The place feels dead. The general atmosphere of the campus really put me off, but if you asked me to explain...I couldn't.