Alright so I'm a bit lost as to where I should go at the moment. I'm fairly certain that I'd like to do engineering, but would like to keep at least a little bit of liberal arts in the mix, primarily foreign language. At the moment I've been admitted to my in-state schools (Colorado University, Colorado State university, and School of Mines) as well as UBC in Vancouver.
So far here are my initial opinions on each school:
Colorado State University
-I would do the Honors Program (which would be a nice transition from IB with seminar style classes and other bright people) and could easily double major or easily concentrate on engineering as well as liberal arts (languages, philosophy, etc.)
-A large campus with 20-30k people in a fairly small city would be interesting and have a lot to do.
-The large campus also means that there are more people competing for internships that are offered, and perhaps a lower rate of job placement after graduation.
-Decent engineering program from what I've heard, but not outstanding per se.
-Is probably the cheapest of the in-state options and about a 2hour drive from home. (far but not that far)
Colorado University
-It would be easy to double major as with CSU.
-The large campus would have a variety of things to do and participate in, much like CSU.
-Better engineering than CSU but I don't know if I'd be able to do an Honors program.
-As with CSU, the large campus probably limits probability of easily finding internships and jobs upon initial graduation.
-Is in scenic Boulder and roughly 2.5hours from my house.
-Costs a few thousand more than CSU but nothing too drastic.
Colorado School of Mines
-Certainly the best engineering school in Colorado (or at least most reputable).
-Is in Golden (small city) nestled against the mountains but right on the outskirts of Denver.
-I've been told from students that there's an abundance of choice for internships and jobs, with near 100% job placement upon graduation.
-It'd be difficult to do a double major but I've been told that many students take liberal arts classes at the local community college (ex. some foreign languages not offered at the school, etc.)and credits transfer over. So it'd still be possible to take courses in French and what not but without majoring/minoring in it.
-A humanities focused Honors program is there which would be interesting and a nice transition from IB.
-Costs a few thousand more than CU but again nothing traumatizing.
-Close proximity to the mountains means lots of skiing, cycling, etc.
University of British Columbia
-Reputable engineering program (from what I've heard).
-Opportunity to double major in a liberal arts program.
-The sheer adventure of being in a foreign country/culture and surrounded by a lot of people from those cultures.
-Proximity to Vancouver and what it has to offer, while remaining off on its own.
-It would cost a lot more to travel back and forth (roughly $500/plane ticket from what I've seen) so I'd see my family a lot less.
-Large campus would have positive and negative aspects like CSU/CU, so internships/job placement might be less than Mines.
-Did I say awesomeness of being in a different culture and country?
-Possibility of future living/working abroad would be much easier?
-Costs $5k-8k USD more than other universities, which to my parents is daunting and unappealling.
Anyways, sorry making you guys read so much (for those that did). I hope that since this is somewhat of an internationally based community with a lot of folks who are interested in sciences/engineering, that some suggestions and advice will be offered. As far as plans after college I think that I'd like to try and work abroad and travel the world a bit, maybe even do some humanitarian projects to gain work experience as well as help people.
Thanks,
Tony
_________________
Oh and obviously UBC would be near some SWEET riding, but Colorado is like that as well (not on the magnitude of Whistler perhaps, but still) and hopefully I can do at least some collegiate riding even if it's road riding.
So far here are my initial opinions on each school:
Colorado State University
-I would do the Honors Program (which would be a nice transition from IB with seminar style classes and other bright people) and could easily double major or easily concentrate on engineering as well as liberal arts (languages, philosophy, etc.)
-A large campus with 20-30k people in a fairly small city would be interesting and have a lot to do.
-The large campus also means that there are more people competing for internships that are offered, and perhaps a lower rate of job placement after graduation.
-Decent engineering program from what I've heard, but not outstanding per se.
-Is probably the cheapest of the in-state options and about a 2hour drive from home. (far but not that far)
Colorado University
-It would be easy to double major as with CSU.
-The large campus would have a variety of things to do and participate in, much like CSU.
-Better engineering than CSU but I don't know if I'd be able to do an Honors program.
-As with CSU, the large campus probably limits probability of easily finding internships and jobs upon initial graduation.
-Is in scenic Boulder and roughly 2.5hours from my house.
-Costs a few thousand more than CSU but nothing too drastic.
Colorado School of Mines
-Certainly the best engineering school in Colorado (or at least most reputable).
-Is in Golden (small city) nestled against the mountains but right on the outskirts of Denver.
-I've been told from students that there's an abundance of choice for internships and jobs, with near 100% job placement upon graduation.
-It'd be difficult to do a double major but I've been told that many students take liberal arts classes at the local community college (ex. some foreign languages not offered at the school, etc.)and credits transfer over. So it'd still be possible to take courses in French and what not but without majoring/minoring in it.
-A humanities focused Honors program is there which would be interesting and a nice transition from IB.
-Costs a few thousand more than CU but again nothing traumatizing.
-Close proximity to the mountains means lots of skiing, cycling, etc.
University of British Columbia
-Reputable engineering program (from what I've heard).
-Opportunity to double major in a liberal arts program.
-The sheer adventure of being in a foreign country/culture and surrounded by a lot of people from those cultures.
-Proximity to Vancouver and what it has to offer, while remaining off on its own.
-It would cost a lot more to travel back and forth (roughly $500/plane ticket from what I've seen) so I'd see my family a lot less.
-Large campus would have positive and negative aspects like CSU/CU, so internships/job placement might be less than Mines.
-Did I say awesomeness of being in a different culture and country?
-Possibility of future living/working abroad would be much easier?
-Costs $5k-8k USD more than other universities, which to my parents is daunting and unappealling.
Anyways, sorry making you guys read so much (for those that did). I hope that since this is somewhat of an internationally based community with a lot of folks who are interested in sciences/engineering, that some suggestions and advice will be offered. As far as plans after college I think that I'd like to try and work abroad and travel the world a bit, maybe even do some humanitarian projects to gain work experience as well as help people.
Thanks,
Tony
_________________
Oh and obviously UBC would be near some SWEET riding, but Colorado is like that as well (not on the magnitude of Whistler perhaps, but still) and hopefully I can do at least some collegiate riding even if it's road riding.
lthumbsdown:
