Hi. For a little backstory, I’ve been a student at HPU for almost a year. My parents wanted me to go to this school so I went, but now I have the option to transfer and I think I should, since UNCC is an engineering school. Still, I’m nervous I’m making the wrong decision and my family thinks its a “downgrade”. I was hoping for any advice for people familiar with the school.
Definitely not a “downgrade”. I think they just probably bought into everything HPU told them. UNCC doesn’t try to sell itself in the same way. If you want to be an engineer you should transfer to UNCC because HPU is not ABET accredited. ABET certification is what gets you hired, despite what HPU has sold your parents about “life skills”.
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Definitely not a downgrade. UNCC has a great engineering school. Also, HPU does not have a great reputation in NC. I know if we got an applicant from there, we’d be wary about hiring them. It has the rep of being a “pay to play” school where rich kids who need pampering go. (Sorry, but that is how everyone who I know, and many who have talked about it online view it.)
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Thank you so much for the reply, I had absolutely no idea that they weren’t even credited. My parents unfortunately loved the security and “resort” vibes this place gave.
Weirdly as an NC native, I had only heard positive things from my high school teachers but I really don’t even feel like I’m in college half the time. I wish I had heard beforehand about that. Thanks you for confirming that UNCC is a great school 
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Will you still be able to get on-campus housing? That would be my biggest immediate concern. On-campus housing at UNC Charlotte is limited, and off campus housing if you are new to the school/area doesn’t seem ideal.
It really makes sense to go for an ABET accredited engineering degree, so that part doesn’t feel like a downgrade to me.
My feel is that the vibe at UNCC might be a little more practical and down to earth, definitely more in-state kids, much more diverse than HPU. Some sports but overshadowed by other NC publics. Lots of Charlotte kids end up at UNCC for various reasons, which can give it a bit of a commuter school feel. Dorms and food are good but probably wouldn’t compare to HPU.
I would think carefully about the reason your parents wanted you to go to HPU, and consider if any of those reasons still apply. UNCC does not give a “country club” feeling at all, and it could definitely be a shock if you aren’t ready for it. If you are ready for the challenge, UNCC engineering would do that. It made a giant jump in the rankings this year, and I would not be surprised if it continues to grow in reputation in the coming years.
Good luck with your choice!
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Thanks so much for your reply! I live pretty close to UNCC and my parents won’t let me go there unless I commute anyways, so I don’t think that will be an issue. Honestly I didn’t want a country club school, I really just want a good engineering program and social life.
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I vote UNCC too. Not a fan of HPU at all. The ABET accreditation issue is huge.
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You are going to school; not your parents.
Dependent upon the discipline of engineering, as others said - you will need to be at an ABET accredited program.
In fairness to HPU, they show a 99% placement rate in the Webb School of Engineering (but it has more majors). Can you get a placement report? It’s very generic on line - what types of jobs are their engineering grads get?
You won’t get jobs that have this in their listings - which is many. Good luck to you.
THIS POSTING IS FOR ENGINEERS GRADUATING FROM AN ABET-ACCREDITED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM in** December 2023 or May 2024.
the curriculum must be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) as a professional engineering curriculum.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering from an ABET-accredited university
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Thanks for the reply! I actually plan on going for electrical engineering, and I (naively) was unaware of the ABET accreditation. I plan on transferring to make the most of the years I have left 
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Before leaving you might ask HPU for their placements…specific to engineering as they have other majors within the school.
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In NC, ABET lists Duke, NC A&T, UNCC, NCSU, and WCU for EE.
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Thanks for the reply! Since they are not accredited, I don’t plan on staying at this school. This is also along with the many other issues I have with it.
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Thanks for compiling this list! :))
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