So, unless I get off the umich waitlist, I'm probably going to Georgia Tech. I'm pretty excited because it's one of the top engineering schools.
I've already payed the deposits and everything so there's not much I can do now.
I understand that Tech has a great co-op program, and a lot of people do it, but a lot of those people also don't finish in four years, which is the only thing I'm concerned about. I also want to do study abroad, but that can also impede finishing on time.
So what I'm wondering is if it is possible to major in AE and do a co-op and study abroad and still finish in 4 years? I want to also get a masters soon after, so I don't really want to get slowed down by not finishing in time
First of all, a co-op requires three semesters, only one of which can be a summer semester. The standard plan already puts you at taking 16-17 credits per semester to graduate in four years without a co-op. A study abroad will most likely put you further behind, as you probably won't have all of the classes you need in a given semester offered wherever you're at.
Just being real... no, it's probably not going to happen. The minimum co-op is 3 semesters, which would automatically put you behind one year. So unless you come in with a crap load of hours it's going to be extremely unrealistic. I personally think that the extra year is justifiable when you consider the fact that you spend it working full time for a legitimate engineering company (with pay!).
The problem with graduating in 4 years isn't a GT issue, it's an engineering issue. You'll run into 135 hour engineering programs at every engineering school.
It's definitely doable (since it's what I'm doing) but it's not going to leave you with any free summer semesters, and it definitely depends on how many credits you're coming into Tech with. Also might depend on your major as well since I know some are more than others. Personally, I'm a MechE and we require 126 to graduate (I believe it's higher for incoming freshman since they just redid the curriculum). I believe AE requires 132 which shouldn't be too much worse.
I came in my freshman year with 16 AP credits. So far I've been averaging 15-17 credits/semester. If you'd like to study abroad, definitely do that during your first 2 years since later on, you won't be able to get the necessary classes on a study-abroad curriculum for you to graduate in four years.
Also, you should look into applying for a 5 year BS/MS program which may or may not be what you are looking for since you are looking into getting your MS.
Here's how my four years were laid out: (came in with 16 creds)
Fall - 15 creds
Spr - 15 creds
Summer - Study Abroad 9 creds
Fall - 17 creds
Spr - Co-op first sem
Summer - 14 creds
Fall - Co-op second sem
Spr - 16 creds
Summer - Co-op last sem
Fall - 17 creds
Spr - 12 creds
I am applying to tech next year, and am hoping and praying that I qualify as a ps scholar semi finalist, and then finalist. Otherwise, based on financial aid, it would probably cost my family around 30-34k per year, leaving me with around 128k debt at graduation. I don't know if we can afford that, so my question to you is: how much money do you think study abroad/ co-op programs save a student on average? (I plan on trying to do both). And do these programs prolong graduation, or is it still possible to graduate after only 4 yrs with co-op and/or study abroad? Thanks for your time!
What is the rush in graduating in four years? The majority of Tech students graduate in 5 or 6 years. Take advantage of all that Tech can offer. Co-op, study abroad, intern, etc. Don't be so anxious to get out into the "working world"; you will have the rest of your life to do that. If you are coming in with AP / IB credits, use those extra credits to your advantage and take courses that interest you. It frees up credit hours toward your degree and provides some flexibilty. Bottom line: take your time and enjoy these years at Tech because you will never have them again.
yes, GPBurdell32, it is. And that's why I want to graduate in 4 years. Do you or does anyone else know how much money I can make if I co-op and intern the other 3 summers?
From reading the FAQs, it looked to me like students don't pay tuition while they are doing co-op semesters, but get to remain students by signing up for their co-ops as an audit class. Is that correct?
So I was thinking that the tuition wouldn't go up for the time doing a co-op. Is that right?
PS
You do not pay tuition while doing co-op, that is correct. In fact, you make money from it; quite a sizable amount, in fact.
Additionally, if you are out-of-state and you do study abroad, for that semester you pay in-state tuition (plus like $2000, but whatever, you're still paying much, much, much less than OOS tuition), so that's always a plus.
