Carnegie Mellon VS Swarthmore VS Lafayette (Major: Mechanical Engineering)

EyeVeee
Sat, 08 Apr 2017 17:45:48 +0000

I think your summary of Pros and Cons is pretty much spot on regarding Lafayette and Swarthmore. I can’t speak to the Grading issue, but CMU Pros seem reasonable.

As for rigor, I think you may be overstating any differences between the schools. Engineering everywhere is tough, and Swarthmore is notoriously difficult for all subjects.

I can tell you that Swarthmore is an amazingly supportive environment (the program you’ve listed that I have intimate knowledge of). The size of the class means you know everyone, and the professors and staff are amazingly available when help is needed.

Another thing you mentioned was about resources. CMU and Swat have roughly the same endowment, yet Swat has 1/10th the students. Swarthmore has resources, they’re just displayed on a much smaller scale. Lafayette’s engineering building (and campus as a whole) is very nice.

Not having the specific major you’re looking for is more important if you’re not planning to attend graduate school. If you are, then the general degree is less of an issue. I would dig into this area when you visit. Can you design a course of study that focuses on bio-med? What placement success has the school had for grad schools?

At Swat, depending on your early success and time available, you could do an honors program that would integrate Engineering and Biology. Someone has to have already done this…so ask the professors at Swat about how your interests might be supported. I’d suggest you do that for all 3.

Being close to home has major advantages (especially if you’re going to do any extra curriculars that the family might want to attend (sports, theater, music, etc.)). They’re all good schools, so don’t stress over making “a mistake”…there is no wrong answer here. Good luck!