<p>What are some schools with good, hands-on engineering programs that aren’t ridiculously ruthless to transfer in to? I.e. what engineering programs are overachievers and go more unnoticed? I got slotted on the small Stanford waitlist this last application year as a sophomore transfer, so I guess I am a “competitive” candidate for tough schools, but I certainly need to select some “(non-reach) target” and “safety” schools to apply to for the fall.</p>
<p>Oh and P.S., I am an economics major who wants to double in engineering (yes I know that this will take a while…), so private schools look like the best avenue of approach for me, as they generally more tolerant of changing courses of study. I’ve heard that switching into engineering is much, much more difficult at public universities with impacted majors. </p>
<p>IMO, most schools that have “overlooked” engineering programs worth a grain will mostly be public, especially in California. However, I think University of Santa Clara is an excellent private school, with an underappreciated engineering program and is close to Stanford if you happen to get wait listed.</p>
<p>Other’s I would apply to; UC Davis and Cal Poly.</p>
<p>FYI, I’m an adult student who is from northern Virginia ^.</p>
<p>Only applied to Stanford because I actually want to go to school there. To the contrary, did not apply to any Ivies (which are much closer in proximity and have more local influence) because I have very little interest in any of them at this point.</p>
<p>Wait, are you interested in “hidden gems” or not? Stanford isn’t really “hidden”, and the Ivies aren’t exactly gems either (compared to the other ones).</p>
<p>I teach at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith and I think it’s a hidden gem. Average class size of 15 students, awesome professors who focus on teaching first, great facilities. But I admit - I am biased.</p>
<p>Looking back, I found that location matters a lot for jobs. A hidden gem to me is like San Jose State (SJSU), in the middle of Silicon Valley. Just like any school near NYC can get access to the finance world, any school near some companies you’re interested is a hidden gem.</p>