weldon

Please give me your opinions of the relative quality of engineering programs in general, and Chemical Engineering in particular, at TCNJ vs. Rowan. I am aware that Rowan is particularly well-known for engineering, but TCNJ may be a better school overall in terms of strength of the student body and overall programs. I am hoping to hear from individuals with real insight into these programs, since as I say I already have some idea of public perceptions.

hinmanCEO

lots of people from NJ go to university of maryland or penn state. two awesome public school that are not as expensive as CMU or princeton.

weldon

Thank you. However, I was wondering about engineerng at TCNJ and Rowan?

Bet77

Not sure if it is to late to help you ... my son is starting engineering at Rowan this fall. He looked at all the engineering schools in the northeast. He picked Rowan over VPI, Penn State, a military academy and many other good schools. Logic from his perspective - small engineering classes being taught right away by the real professors. He anted to get his hands involved right away on projects. He did not want to be one of 1800 freshman entering engineering.

weldon

Not too late at all, thanks. May I ask what engineering discipline your son is majoring in? And, in your/his view, is Rowen recognized as a quality school to the point where internship and later job opportunities are good?

racnna

definitely rowan....

Bet77

He is starting in Civil but is more mechanical from my perspective ... but I am just the mom. This summer he is already working at an engineering firm doing survey work and CAD (sp??) computer. A step in the right direction. Too soon to tell about internships. I would think if you wanted it you could get it. I think I remember them indicating that they have an individual dedicated in the engineering college to help with internships. The good news about a school like Rowan is that it is small enough to be able to get to know the teachers. That means you have potential to get good recommendations from someone who might actually know you. Of course that has the potential to also be an issue if you’re the type of student who might rather not be known by the teachers! At the end of the day it is important to look at enough schools to get a sense of what would work for you as a student.

Corbett

TCNJ is more selective overall, and is probably stronger in liberal arts. But its engineering program is smaller, and offers fewer options, than Rowan's.

The original poster asked about "chemical engineering in particular". But if ChemE is of particular interest, then Rowan appears to be the only choice. Rowan has an ABET-accredited ChemE degree program. TCNJ, on the other hand, apparently doesn't offer ChemE in any form: ChemE is not offered as a distinct degree program, nor as a specialization in the general "Engineering Science" program.

toblin

I have visited both, and it's Rowan all the way. No comparison what-so-ever. Rowan in fact has one of the best undergrad ChemE programs in the country with both the faculty and facilities to support it. And as mentioned previously, TCNJ does even not offer ChemE.

To me, TCNJ's engineering program seemed like a LAC's casual afterthought compared to Rowan's. TCNJ doesn't have any purpose built engineering facilities, none, just converted classrooms. Rowan on the other hand has a very large, purpose built, very comprehensive, state of the art engineering facility. Mr. Rowan's $100 million dollar gift back in the mid 90's that started Rowan's engineering program appears to have been well invested.

Rowen WAY over TCNJ for engineering. TCNJ WAY over Rowen for the liberal arts.

weldon

Thanks for all the info.