I am from the Midwest and I like the Mid-west feel, but am interested in going to a school in the Northeast so i was wondering if people knew from experiences of any colleges that have the more Midwest-comforting feel. I am looking to major in Civil Engineering so small LACs would not work. Thanks!
If you want it to be just like how, why not just remain at home?
Because I want to experience a new city/area, but also have that communal feel at the university. Also, if I broaden my college search to many different geographic areas then I am able to be introduced to schools I would not have considered before.
RPI might fit the bill.
Colleges in the East that are offset from the Eastern megalopolis may offer characteristics similar to Midwestern schools. Look into the University of Rochester.
Civil Engineering is not as common in the Northeast as some of the other engineering disciplines…
U Rochester might work culture wise, but it does not offer Civil Engineering.
WPI tends to be more “laid back” than RPI. It is probably your best bet if you are looking for a “technical institute”. It is known for a very “hands on”, project-based approach. One of the larger Engineering Departments in Massachusetts, but smaller by Midwest standards. Little to no Arts and Humanities graduates. Location is a mid-sized city about 50 miles/1 hr from Boston.
University of Vermont is a small state school that tends to feel more “laid back”. Strong in Environmental Engineering (which tends to be grouped with Civil). It was founded in 1791, so it was called a “public ivy”, but it does not have the high concentration of “type A” personalities. Charming campus, in a small city, but gets quite a bit of snow (depending on what you are used to}.
Bucknell and Lafayette are LACs that offer Civil Engineering. Bucknell also offers a business degree so it grants a high percentage of professional (Engineering and Business) degrees compared to a “traditional” LAC. Both schools also have D1 athletics (Patriot League) which tends to give the culture a more competitive feel than a “traditional” LAC. I am not as familiar with the locations.
Tufts is a small research university that offers Civil Engineering. It is also strong in Environmental Engineering, but smaller than U Vermont. The Engineering Department is about the same size as at Bucknell. Founded by Universalists (who were very “laid back”) in 1852. Engineering is known for its “net zero attrition rate”. Athletics are D3 (NESCAC).
Location is a suburban city just outside of Boston.
Best of Luck!
When I think of the midwest I think of “down to earth”. From what I have read, Bucknell may not fit the bill. I did hear that Lafayette has a friendly environment. U of Rochester sounds like it could be in Ohio or Michigan from what I have heard. Univ of Vermont is expensive coming from OOS, but you will find outdoorsy types. plus some rich kids from Boston and NYC.
@diamondking2, people from upstate New York remind me of people from the Midwest - down to earth, not as materialistic as people closer to NYC.
If you’re looking at state schools, University at Buffalo might be worth looking at. I’m pretty sure their Civil Engineering program is highly regarded. There will be plenty of kids from southern NY, but I think there will be plenty from the northern part of the state as well.
It’s cold up there and it snows a lot, so I’m not sure if that’s a deal breaker.
UMass Amherst and Syracuse are two other schools that have Civil Engineering and I believe have solid reputations as well. I have no idea what the students are like at either place. Maybe others here can chime in. Clarkson is another one that might be worth looking at.
UMass Lowell, University Of Rhode Island, and University Of New Hampshire also have Civil Engineering. Not sure of the vibe, but might be worth inquiring about.
Penn state does in my opinion