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As I mentioned earlier, I don’t believe that all LAC’s with engineering are created equal, and Swarthmore appears to be the exception to the rule. Because it offers a general engineering degree only, without specialization, the workload is far less demanding than would be the case at Lafayette, Union, etc., where the degree is specialized and a significantly greater number of credits are required for completion. Swarthmore seems to be the one program that really does keep its liberal arts character.</p>
<p>As for the schools in contention, none are the so-called “tech” schools, and all of them offer a vast array of opportunities outside the engineering program. The only question is whether he’d be able to take advantage of those opportunities if he decides to stick with engineering. The “tunnel vision” required to successfully complete an engineering program is going to limit his exploration outside that field. Not bar, but limit.</p>
<p>My bias is towards doing the liberal arts program now, while he has the chance. He can always get a professional degree later, but he can’t go back to college. Obviously, that may not be the most cost-effective approach. And it may not be the preferred route for a teenager who really wants to believe that he already has his whole life figured out.</p>
<p>By the way, regarding math and physics, the kid enjoys math. Did not enjoy physics so much because he found it quite difficult. He still scored a 4 on the physics AP test, though, so perhaps not all is lost. ;)</p>