DS16 intends to major in aerospace engineering. (class of 2026)
He has spent over 1000 hours creating highly detailed models of fighter aircraft using 3D software. Also spends a lot of time reading military aviation news and knows trivia about fighter aircraft. His goal is to use CFD software to model his aircraft and evaluate performance parameters ahead of the college admission season.
He is a self-starter, can derive almost all math & physics formulas from first principles and refers to several websites and videos to teach himself math & physics. (in the last 6 months he has completed all of Calculus 2 and is half way through Calculus 3 at the math class material that is posted online at Lamar University)
Can you help connect the dots to go from a student who is comfortable with math & physics to someone who can use CFD (and/or FEA) to take his hobby to the next level?
CFD experts in the forum:
Appreciate any input you may have…books/other modelling tools/advice - his dream is to design fighter aircraft (propulsion/airframe design fascinate him)
@Erin’s Dad:
As far as I know, my son will be OOS in every state (since he/my family doesn’t live in US) - please correct me if this understanding is not right
I can afford $40K per year - can stretch to $45K
Some possible colleges to look at include UMich, Purdue, Ohio State.
Run the Net Price Calculator on each school’s web site to see how affordable they may be.
Embry-Riddle has scholarship opportunities for international students. Here’s info from their website:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Student Scholarship consideration is given to all types of applicants — including freshmen, transfer, international and graduate students — who apply for admission, and who submit an international scholarship application. The scholarship decision is based on academic merit and demonstrated financial need.
Embry-Riddle Scholarship
All foreign citizens and Americans living abroad who apply for freshman admission are automatically considered for the Embry-Riddle Scholarship, created in honor of the University’s namesakes. An official score on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) is required for consideration. The amount of the award can be significant if the applicant scores well on either of these examinations.
I’d agree with the Purdue and Ohio State recommendations. My D is a Senior at Purdue, friends with many in the very well regarded astro/aero program. She did a summer camp at Ohio State where she took controls of one of their training aircraft on a demo flight.
Michigan is certainly a great school, but the price is over the stated $45K (NPC says 68K without aid).
Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech could be in the mix.
Embry-Riddle has a very good aero program - my only concern recommending it is a lack of comparable quality options if one chooses to change majors. And the price is also over the stated threshold.