How would you rate mechanical programs at these schools?

LakeWashington
Tue, 12 Jan 2016 15:02:10 +0000

There’s good advice here from the usual suspects, including Eyemgh and Boneh3ad.

Also, it seems to me that many good ME programs can lead to a career with NASA or the military. For example, students from the relatively unheralded but excellent engineering departments at U of Akron and Case Western Reserve University get jobs at the nearby NASA John Glenn Flight Center in Ohio. CWRU might provide adequate financial aid to you, given your circumstances. However, U of Akron is a public university. Therefore, the likelihood of great financial aid for an out-of-state applicant probably isn’t high, but by all means investigate their scholarships if you’re interested.

Like others said, your list of target schools is fine. Another STEM university to consider if finances are critical is South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. Total COA for an out-of-stater at Mines is about $22,000. Recent graduates of Mines are employed at NASA. Mines is also rated very “Military Friendly,” by veterans groups, for its support services to students with military backgrounds or currently in ROTC programs. Incidentally, Mines has received research grants from the military on more than one occasion. Finally, Rapid City is a laid back place and there is an LGBT student organization on campus.