<p>Aspects of 3-2 LAC/Engineering School programs has been the subject of many posts in the Engineering Major discussion section.</p>
<p>Very sound perspectives in the current thread. From my own reading elsewhere I gather that many kids that start out as 3-2 applicants decide not to leave their LAC.</p>
<p>I second the suggestion that the OP’s daughter either attend an engineering college from the get-go, or start at Community College. Many university engineering schools have guaranteed transfer agreements with community colleges. There are dozens of engineering schools out there that may meet your expectations. Keep in mind, any state university other than your own will be expensive. Look for public universities that are aggressively seeking non-residents.</p>
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<p>Some are not. South Dakota Mines has a lower out-of-state list price than many in-state list prices. South Dakota State is even less expensive.</p>
<p>deb- thanks for the advice. One of the schools we toured last spring was WVU Institute of Tech. VERY small school, VERY rural. BUT affordable and the day we were there we were given an almost 2 hour tour by Dr. Gray, the Engineering and Science Outreach Coordinator. She is also the First Year Programs Coordinator. She asked my daughter what she was interested in and then proceeded to explain all the engineering fields they offer.</p>
<p>I was impressed. Its also ABET accredited. I think that’s the type of school that she will do well in. She needs someone that can offer extra help and care about her- a place where she’s not just a nameless face in a crowd. </p>
<p>Plus, if she can get her gpa up a little, she can qualify for in state tuition which would take $8K off the bill. If she can’t its still affordable. :)</p>
<p>I’ll have to expand my search to include South Dakota and all New Mexico. I think there is a place for her, it’s just going to take some digging. The CC community is always a wonderful place to get both sides of a story, so based on the information received here, I think I’ll be nudging her to go to a small 4 year engineering school.</p>
<p>thank you again everyone for all your help with this matter. you guys are great.</p>
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This really is not correct. In order to be a 3-2 program, the student has to get several of the basic engineering courses (eg statics, strength of materials, thermodynamics, dynamics) out of the way before Junior year. These are “engineering courses” and are the same courses their compatriots at the engineering schools are taking. Often there is also an “Intro to Engineering” course which covers the basics of the types of work involved in different fields. It’s not like the student arrives at the Engineering school with no clue. Well at least not much less clue than the other students there.</p>