<p>Let’s say both students attend high schools where their quality of students is equal.</p>
<p>Student 1
Within the top 10% of his class, SAT>2000, very strong in Math and Science (5s on AP tests and A+ on honors/AP courses), has won some regional awards in Maths competitions, has never been exposed to engineering during his K-12 education nor does he know anything about programming, computers, and is definitely not a tinkerer or a hands-on person.
Will attend the state’s flagship.</p>
<p>Student 2, from magnet high school:
Top 25-40% of his class. Average SAT (not higher than 1700). All normal courses. Engineering has always been his dream. Interests include computer programming and tinkering; could built a well-functioning robot on his own. Posseses basic knowledge of carpentry and soldering.
Will attend the local satellite university.</p>
<p>Who is more likely to finish an Engineering degree?</p>
<p>Quite possibly both of them. Quite possibly neither of them. The one(s) who can pass the math and the physics can move forward in the curriculum. Don’t pass Calculus, don’t pass Go, don’t collect $200, don’t earn an engineering degree. Those still left can decide if engineering is a good career fit.</p>
<p>Probably #1 - getting through an engineering degree requires a high degree of book smarts and discipline, and that is what this student has demonstrated. The lack of passion may be a factor, but the lack of hands-on knowledge is not that big a deal, as such skills represent a small fraction of the degree and not much more of most professional positions.</p>
<p>Student 2 certainly has some attributes and skills that will help, but may not be well suited to the academic rigor even at the local U. Whether they finish the degree or not, they appear better suited to the more hands-on ends of engineering, which they can reach either with an engineering degree or with a technology degree… which appears to be a better match!</p>
<p>Student #1 sounds much more likely to successfully complete an engineering degree, which depends more on good grades in math and physics classes than on tinkering ability. </p>
<p>Honestly, I’ve seen both students succeed in an engineering program, and do well as engineers. As such, the question of who is more likely to succeed is irrelevant since each student is unique. </p>
<p>In other words, if it’s possible for both students to succeed, the question of whether or not any one person will succeed really comes down to motivation level, and effective use of resources available (i.e. time management, study groups, professor office hours, tutoring if needed, etc).</p>
<p>With that said though, Student #1 will have it much easier in college than Student #2.</p>