How would you rate mechanical programs at these schools?

VMT
Mon, 11 Jan 2016 12:19:38 +0000

With an EFC that low, I think you should consider in-state options like Pitt or Penn State or private schools. Michigan and Purdue are great schools for engineering, but I don’t see how they are affordable to you.

You would get a very good education at Penn State and would be well-prepared for grad school if you have very good grades and take advantage of research opportunities available to you. The weather is terrible in the winter, not a lot of sunshine. It was my state school so I did not have a warm weather option (though winter at Penn State felt especially gloomy). The biggest issue with Penn State today is you have to apply to the major, and in order to control class size, enrollment is limited in the more popular majors. I assume ME is one of those. Entry is strictly based on GPA. They do have an Aerospace major and other related majors. At any large state school, you will have a wide array of courses available to you. You would be served well by Pitt, too.

Also, if a graduate degree is in your future, this should be paid for through a stipend, or working for a company that will pay for it.

You should go into the military if you want to be in the military. This is not the only path to NASA. I don’t even think it’s a common path. I believe a graduate degree would help. As someone mentioned upstream, a lot depends on whether NASA is in a hiring mode when you are looking for a job.

As an aside, Drexel is expensive and I don’t know anyone who has had full need met. It’s a very good school known for their co-op program.