“Buying a $250,000 car to use as a taxi isn’t a very good idea.”
This is sorta the same question,in this ongoing thread. Read the first post (definitely a different feel since the parents don’t know how they are paying for college) then the last post by @HPuck35. #62.
Don’t know if you would also like to comment since your in this actual space also.
One option to consider is the combined program being offered at Columbia and other schools. Here is an example. There are even affiliates that you can spend the first 3 years at and then transfer to Columbia if you meet some requirements
https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/learn/academiclife/engineering/combined-plan-program
@surelyhuman - The program you cited (a “3-2” program, in which one spends three years getting a BA degree (including the foundational science and math courses), at the “3” school and two years getting a BS in engineering at the “2” school (Columbia), IMO, has significant disadvantages. Many students do not complete them, opting not to transfer out of the school in which they made friendships and have established a sense of belonging over the first three years. Many desire to graduate with their “3” school class (in a 3-2 program, you graduate after 5 years with both degrees, in most cases, so you would not be graduating with the class in which you started at the “3” school). Financial aid or scholarships that one had in the “3” school usually do not transfer to the “2” school, and many engineering “2” schools offer little or no financial aid to the 3-2 program transferees. Finally, do you really want to spend 5 years in undergraduate school?
On the upside, at least from Columbia (and other schools that have 3-2 programs) you get a genuine, bonafide ABET accredited undergraduate engineering degree (which you will not get at U of Chicago).
Many schools offer dual degree programs within the same school. You can get a BA in a liberal arts subject and a BS Engineering in the same school in four years if you are willing to put in the extra effort to take the extra classes. You can probably do it at Columbia as well starting out there rather than another “3” school. A few schools in the NY/NJ metropolitan area offer those options, NYU, Stevens, Rutgers, and others for example. An advantage of them is that your financial aid and scholarships would apply to all four years, and, you do not have to spend five years in school. Five years at those schools is also an option if you need it.
Michigan has a dual degree in lsa and engineering also. Just a lot of work I presume.
@Knowsstuff - Yes, many schools do. I think they should be considered before 3-2 programs. And yes, a lot of work is definitely required. I know a few people who did this. The student has to have discipline and great time management skills.
^ Dual degree can take longer than 3/2 because you have to fulfill two sets of degree requirements. Northwestern actually allows a double-major with Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences that should take five years. You have to get admitted to the engineering school first but then you are free to pick up a 2nd major at Weinberg. I’d look into something like that first.
Just as an update DD was just extended an offer to attend USC’s Viterbi School of engineering REACH program (which is essentially a recruiting visit for there grad school of engineering) all expenses paid by USC. So all is apparently not lost in attending UChicago’s non ABET accredited Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering as some might suggest.?