My eclectic son is a junior in hs, Texas, 3.28 gpa, 24 act but that was first try and ought to be able to get it to 28 or so. LD LD(dyslexia) and honestly, not a serious academic BUT excels in what he is interested in. Has been working since he was 13 when the RC store he frequented hired him to do repairs in the back room, soon was on the floor selling and excelled at this. Next was hired (again, didn’t apply, they asked him to come work for them) at the photography store for the professional, as he is such an avid photographer and knows so much about it…charismatic and eager learner. Has won a national HS photography award. Set the school record in physics for a project building a model car with rubber bands and other set materials. Like I say, eclectic. A budding barista, is now brewing beer at home…not interested in drinking, just likes to make things!!
Anyway, forgive my long winded explanation that he is not an idle loafer, just not an academic.
Am interested in RIT due to the engineering technology programs, the co-op programs, and as a side bar, he would like to (not mandatory) pursue mens rowing in college, as he is a strong crewman all through HS (6’, 6.45 erg, very committed and enthusiastic).
Know of Florida IT, anything else we are overlooking? Any experiences at RIT to share or anywhere else? Purdue has been suggested, but I don’t know if the academic criteria could be handled…so many schools on let you apply to the engineering school come sophomore year or so, and then, with a 3.6 or better…dont need that. Not looking for an “easy” school, but one where he could excel at his eclectic gifts! Thanks so much for any thoughts.
I believe both Northeastern and Drexel have engineering as well as established co-op programs. You’d have to do some research about rowing and LD support at each school.
The University of Cincinnati has engineering technology and co-op. I don’t know much more about it though.
My S went to RIT. He had a better GPA in college than in HS. (Not an academic either but worked in classes that interested him.) It was a good fit for him (he was a game design and development major). There is a lot of math and physics in the first year, but they were generous with AP credits so he had to take only a few humanities type classes. ( He had 3’s on both English APs and got credit for both, plus AP Psych and History)
We looked at RIT last March with D. I was really impressed by the presentation, and I’ve worked with some of the faculty before. It is a unique place. By all means visit if you can. They have some of the best photography programs in the country (being close to what barely remains of Kodak), as well. It sounds like it could be a great place for him.
I like U of Rochester & CWRU a lot, but I don’t see them as being very similar to RIT. I would say that RPI farther east might be more similar, but more difficult to get into, as well.
And rowing on the Erie Canal in nearby Pittsford, NY is terrific! (Also, RIT is very convenient to the Rochester airport.)
From what you wrote elsewhere in the post it sounds like your son is going to be a success! However, and it pains me to say this because I don’t have any alternatives to offer, I wonder if an engineering program is going to be right for him. Some schools include hands-on work in their curriculum, but there’s no getting around the fact that there is going to be a ton of math, of difficult math. RIT says
Its going to be like this at any 4-year engineering or engineering technology program. Students who manage to get seriously interested in calculus and differential equations are few and far between. The classic knock on engineering education is that students don’t see the tie-in between what they learn in class and the real world. Schools like RIT and the like do what they can to show relevance and provide projects, but the fact is that all that math is more like 4 years of hazing than anything relevant to what technicians and engineers actually do. Once out of college people use computer programs to solve the equations, but you’re not going to earn a degree unless you’ve shown you can do it by hand and pass the classes.
Also another fact to be aware of is that while RIT may be somewhat easier to get into (58% admittance), this can be deceptive. They like to give certain students a second chance but in return the first two years, especially in engineering, are very rigorous and are intended to weed out weaker students.
That being said however the graduates the school produces are absolutely top notch and the co-op program is one of the best in the country for getting you a job at graduation.
Montana State University has a very hands on program, encourages co-ops, would admit him without hesitation, and is in a fun area. Expect poor financial aid as an out of state student.
Michigan Tech in the rural UP part of Michigan could be another safety that he might want to explore. Very tech focused, so not great should he change his major, but does promote hands on learning with co-op opportunities.
The perennially recommended University of Cincinnati has one of the most extensive coop programs of any university and offers engineering technology. He should get in without any issues although the out of state tuition might be a non starter.
The University of Hartford and the University of Dayton may also be worth looking into although I don’t know how hands on those programs are.
wow, when hen, thanks…i see you are an OU fan. We are in Texas (that area south of you!). Anything 'round here? Seems all these are quite far away. But great thoughts. He LOVES Montana!! Great post, thanks so much…
Did you check into SMU and other Texas schools who might have engineering but the environment and support you want for your son? You might have to visit some schools and talk to departments.
Not just an OU fan, an OU student. If you’re interested in touring an engineering heavy state school with optional co-ops, opportunities for hands on work, and multiple engineering technology programs, consider Oklahoma State University - Stillwater. Boring town, but a great program. Personally having lived in Bozeman, MT and Oklahoma, I think OSU is a far better school than Montana State, although MSU obviously trumps OSU in terms of natural beauty.
The University of North Texas also offers engineering technology, although I know little about the program (am going down there this weekend though).
when hen, ah, great, happy studying!! thanks for the tip on OSU, i have heard that as well…
mommcd, he could hit a golf ball from his back yard to SMU, so he is not interested, lol!! darn shame, too, great school. yep, just know UT and A and M are out…and he wouldn’t want to do an off main campus deal. thanks!!
Columbia Engineering is relatively small. A bit of intimacy within a large university. And yes, there is the Columbia Crew team. Admission isn’t easy but not impossible.