Next semester will be my last semester in Community College. I really need to get out of my "comfort zone" and start going to *real* school again. After taking a few engineering classes, I realized that it'* probably the way to go. The great thing about both of the schools I'm looking at is that I can always transfer back to computer science if I wanted to. Basically, I'm looking at two schools right now, Kettering in Flint and the University of Cincinnati. I'd really like a school with an accredited engineering program and a co-op program. Also, my hs grades weren't good at all, but I got a 1320 on the SAT and a 28 on the ACT, also my GPA right now is a 3.7, so the acceptance rate should be more than 50%. Other than that, I really don't care. So does anyone have any ideas of other schools I can look at?

(the specific major I'm thinking of is Mechanical Engineering)

not sure on the details, but my friend just got accepted into the Colorado school of mines. apparently its good for engineering?
he'* not going there though

University of Illinois. Engineering grads tend to get snapped up from my alma mater.

Just don't run into the problem I have. I was going to a Community college in Ohio and now that I am going to Portland State here in Oregon they did not accept any of my technical classes towards their program. The only ones they are giving me credit for is things like Psych, English comp and such.

RIT in Rochester. Already a couple members in the area, good engineering programs and they have Coop oppertunities. Also have Comp Sci and Software Engineering (which I graduated from last year) incase you want to fall back on that.

With the grades for your college, HS grades shouldn't matter.

Kinda randomly stumble on your post, this might be my first time wandering into the lounge haha.

I actually go to Kettering right now (graduated HS in 06, a soph at KU). I cant express how strongly I encourage you to go to Kettering.

Anywhere you go in the engineering field, people know about Kettering. It has been ranked as the best engineering school in the nation for almost 10 yrs. The graduate hiring rate is somewhere close to %100, and i think the average starting salary for ME'* currently somewhere near $60k.

The co-op experience is awesome, I'm actually working at my co-op right now near grand rapids. I've already learned/accomplished so much and I'm only 19, its crazy to think about sometimes. Also, the money is great, I make around $10k during the two 3-month cycles at my co-op.depending on your employer, people can be making over $20k by the time youre a senior. Also the schedule is nice, by the time I'm getting sick of classes, the 11 week term is over, and its off to work!

Those grades are almost exactly what I had when I applied and I got in with no problems, and I think that makes you qualified for the presidential scolarship ($10k/yr).

Its a really small campus (really just 3 large buildings) so its easy to get around. Also being such a small school, the student body is pretty close. Its a pretty challenging school, also so we all really work together haha.

The few bad things: It'* in Flint, get a car alarm haha. Tuition is really high (around $32k), after all my scolarships I still have around $10,000 a year (pretty average for most students) to pay using loans. Lastly, its pretty challenging, but being such a small school with a limited amount of professors, there are lots of study aids, and tons of free tutors.

Alright I'm done with my sales-pitch haha, Let me know if you've got any other questions!

edit: other things I just though of: its pretty hard to transfer in credits, some people really get screwed by that. Also, I think Kettering does have a computer engineering major if that'* what you're really interested in.

I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Mathematical Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It is affordable, close, and has a new engineering program. U of I is more prestigious but also WAY more expensive. I am happy where I am but haven't started any actual engineering courses yet.
Grant

Thanks for responding, especially Pink. I've been wanting to ask a Kettering student a few questions, so I'll use this chance to do just that . What'* the social life like? I didn't find too much info on the website, but it seems like a close nit community. Is there a lot to do? Do people hang around the dorms or go out around Flint? Also, you said the course load is difficult, how about the core classes? English and social sciences are my weakness, I really can't stand those classes. I've never gotten lower than a B in a math class, so I doubt they will be an issue. I haven't visited the campus yet, but I'm probably gonna do so in the next couple months. Maybe we can meet up.

RIT is a consideration. I haven't done too much research on it, but I know there'* a few people on here that go to it, so I'll check it out. Also, yeah I realize that most of my credits won't transfer to Kettering, so that'* a consideration too. They will transfer to UC, however.

Pink, I'm probably gonna PM you later tonight, but I'm not gonna be on my computer until later... probably around midnight. Thanks, again!

You could apply to Waye State in Detroit. Thats where I am, and ME is also my major. It has a very good engineering program and is nationally ranked in the top 10. Unlike Kettering Univ. tuition is not through the roof, but it is not cheap either. The College of Engineering'* buildings are very close together. Co-ops are available, but are more for upperclassman. But study abroad programs are abundant to underclassman. The possibility of working outside the big 3 or the auto industry period is greater at Wayne State because we have several study abroad programs that are government funded in hopes that you come work for them in any of their 16 diff. organizations.