High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by Patrick Dingle at 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST


College Student on team #639, Red B^2, from Ithaca High School and Cornell University.



I am trying to gather a list of 1-3 line quotes on how FIRST teams played a role in choosing where you go to college.... So I am posing the following question: To what extent did FIRST play a role in choosing which college you go to?

Again 1-3 line responses are best so I can easily put them in a presentation to our admissions office, but longer ones are also fine. Also please put your name, high school, and where you are going to college in the message. Thanks very much.

Patrick

Can you post your results?
 

Posted by Andy Baker at 04/24/2001 10:11 AM EST


Engineer on team #45, TechnoKats, from Kokomo High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



Patrick,

This would be great ammo to give to some engineering schools in our area. People in Indiana are trying to start teams at Rose-Hulman and Valporaiso, but the administrative support is not there yet.

Also, this would be good stuff to give to current college teams who can always use more support.

So, can you publish or post the report you are making for the rest of us to use also?

Keep up the good work!

Thanks,
Andy B.

Re: Can you post your results?
 

Posted by Kris Verdeyen at 04/24/2001 11:45 AM EST


Engineer on team #118, Robonauts, from CCISD and NASA - Johnson Space Center and Friends.


In Reply to: Can you post your results?
Posted by Andy Baker on 04/24/2001 10:11 AM EST:



Andy,

I graduated from Rose and Terre Haute South (but not in that order), and after one great year in FIRST, I'm trying to convince my high school teachers and some of the college administrators I know to get involved.

THS and Rose are already involved in Botball (and doing very well), and I'm trying to persuade them to take that extra step and go for FIRST. If anyone else is trying to get a team started in Terre Haute, and wants to join forces, let me know.

Just for a clarification - is Delphi planning on sponsoring Rose's team, or is this (the proposed team at Rose) just something you heard through the grapevine?

Kris


: Patrick,

: This would be great ammo to give to some engineering schools in our area. People in Indiana are trying to start teams at Rose-Hulman and Valporaiso, but the administrative support is not there yet.

: Also, this would be good stuff to give to current college teams who can always use more support.

: So, can you publish or post the report you are making for the rest of us to use also?

: Keep up the good work!

: Thanks,
: Andy B.

Yes and no
 

Posted by Andy Baker at 04/24/2001 2:13 PM EST


Engineer on team #45, TechnoKats, from Kokomo High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.


In Reply to: Re: Can you post your results?
Posted by Kris Verdeyen on 04/24/2001 11:45 AM EST:



Kris,

Yes, there is some interest at Rose. A Rose-Hulman student named Charlie Elwood (elwoodcn@hotmail.com) is heading the charge at Rose to try and start a team there. He has a couple of professors interested (Dr. Berry and another), but nothing definite yet.

As far as Delphi's involvement, we are here just to help, not sponsor another team. A few of the Indiana teams (292, 377, 461, 535) have used us to help themselves get support, but Delphi is not interested in sponsoring another team in the area (unfortunately).

We can help someone in the Terre Haute area try to start a team, but they are on their own with regard to funding and sustaining a team.

By help, I mean that we (our team) are willing to take the time to go down there, do demos, talk to teachers/administrators/companies about starting a team.

Andy B.

So then where IS Delphi interested in starting a team? ;)
 

Posted by Jessica Boucher at 04/24/2001 2:41 PM EST


Student on team #237, Sie-H2O-Bots, from Watertown High School and Eastern Awning Systems & The Siemon Company.


In Reply to: Yes and no
Posted by Andy Baker on 04/24/2001 2:13 PM EST:



Just curious ;)

-Jessica B, #237

Good question
 

Posted by Andy Baker at 04/24/2001 4:15 PM EST


Engineer on team #45, TechnoKats, from Kokomo High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.


In Reply to: So then where IS Delphi interested in starting a team? ;)
Posted by Jessica Boucher on 04/24/2001 2:41 PM EST:



Jess,

This is a good question. I cannot speak for Delphi as a whole, but I'll give you my opinion on this subject.

Delphi (and many other companies) is going through a tough year financially. If the current economic trends persist, I would be very suprised to see Delphi sponsor more teams at this time. All of the Delphi teams went through some major budget cuts in '01, and luckily, our team was ready for it.

IF we would be starting more teams, I would concentrate my efforts on starting a team in two places: Mexico and North-central Indiana.

Delphi has many plants along the Rio Grande, and there are not too many programs like FIRST available to Mexican students.

The Mexican students would eat this stuff up, in my opinion. We (a few engineers on the TechnoKats) have lobbied our division of Delphi to start a team down in Mexico, but our upper management is not keen to it right now. Once the economic tide changes and we start making a profit again, the issue will be pushed once more.

Our other option with expanding Delphi's sponsorship (again, in my opinion... not Delphi's) would be to start more teams in our community. Right now, there are only 10 FIRST teams in Indiana. But, there are also some major corporations in Indiana who have no clue what FIRST is (Lilly, Conseco, GE Plastics, GM Truck - Ft. Wayne, Suburu-Izuzu, etc.). So, there are some ripe sponsors here in the state.

Andy B.

Speaking of Rose-
 

Posted by David Kelly at 04/24/2001 10:50 PM EST


Student on team #234, Cyber Blue, from Perry Meridian High School [IUPUI] and Rolls-Royce/ NEC/ NASA KSC/ Peregrine/ Trilithic.


In Reply to: Yes and no
Posted by Andy Baker on 04/24/2001 2:13 PM EST:



3 Students that graduated from our team last year are also going to Rose. They have talked about starting a team. I don't know how much they talk to Charlie, but they know him pretty well. [One reason is because Charlie was on Team 393 & 234 and team 393 are CLOSE. (You know what I mean Andy!!!)] I will make sure that they get a hold of Charlie to get this rolling a little better.

David Kelly
Student Captain/ Webmaster/ Driver
CB Team 234

P.S. I don't know if you know yet Andy, but I'm not going to be able to come to IRI. I have SAT's in Greenwood on the same day. When I signed up I never even thought about IRI. But I may be able to come up on the Friday before, because we don't have school. If you need any help, email me. I can't go thorough this withdrawl yet!!

cbteam234@home.com

Also speaking of Rose.
 

Posted by Kris Verdeyen at 04/25/2001 11:05 AM EST


Engineer on team #118, Robonauts, from CCISD and NASA - Johnson Space Center and Friends.


In Reply to: Speaking of Rose-
Posted by David Kelly on 04/24/2001 10:50 PM EST:



Also speaking of Rose:

I wonder how many teams had Rose-Hulman graduates as Engineers on the team or had Students graduating that planned to attend.

Team 118 had two, and we're about as far away from the school as it gets, so I'm sure that the Indiana teams have many more.

Re: Also speaking of Rose.
 

Posted by Kris Verdeyen at 04/25/2001 11:06 AM EST


Engineer on team #118, Robonauts, from CCISD and NASA - Johnson Space Center and Friends.


In Reply to: Also speaking of Rose.
Posted by Kris Verdeyen on 04/25/2001 11:05 AM EST:



:Team 118 had two....

Two engineers, that is, and maybe one student.

Re: Can you post your results?
 

Posted by Patrick Dingle at 04/24/2001 5:44 PM EST


College Student on team #639, Red B^2, from Ithaca High School and Cornell University.


In Reply to: Can you post your results?
Posted by Andy Baker on 04/24/2001 10:11 AM EST:



Andy,

I will do my best to post my results and any documents/presentations I make, probably next week. Basically I'm trying to make either a brochure or powerpoint which would appeal directly to colleges, especially admissions offices.

Patrick

: Patrick,

: This would be great ammo to give to some engineering schools in our area. People in Indiana are trying to start teams at Rose-Hulman and Valporaiso, but the administrative support is not there yet.

: Also, this would be good stuff to give to current college teams who can always use more support.

: So, can you publish or post the report you are making for the rest of us to use also?

: Keep up the good work!

: Thanks,
: Andy B.

Re: Can you post your results?
 

Posted by Becky Allen at 04/24/2001 6:16 PM EST


College Student on team #356, The Enigma, from North Little Rock High School and Pulaski Academy and UALR/Hendrix College/NASA.


In Reply to: Can you post your results?
Posted by Andy Baker on 04/24/2001 10:11 AM EST:



Andy,
I know that Rose-Hulman and my college, Hendrix College, play one another in Division III. Rose-Hulman is very much like Hendrix. Smaller school, private, etc. If your college student is interested, maybe Hendrix could help out and put a little pressure on Rose. We wouldn't want one private school to out do another, would we?:) Just a suggestion. Let me know if he or you need any help.
Thanks!
Becky Allen

Re: Can you post your results?
 

Posted by Anthony Lapp at 04/24/2001 6:51 PM EST


Engineer on team #221, MI Roboworks, from Michigan Technological University.


In Reply to: Can you post your results?
Posted by Andy Baker on 04/24/2001 10:11 AM EST:



I second Andy's suggestions. I run a team at Michigan Tech and we can always use info that supports students going directly to colleges with a robot. Please post what you get. Thanks.

Anthony Lapp
221

Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by Deej- T190 at 04/24/2001 10:22 AM EST


Engineer on team #190, Gompeii, from Mass Academy and WPI.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



Colleges with FIRST teams were a definate must!!! Last year I attended RIT (Rochester NY), and first heard of them as a high school freshman watching them win the National Championship with the awesome Tigerbolt. What impressed me the most was that it was pretty much their first year in the comp. This year I transferred to WPI for a few reasons, one cause it was closer to home, two it had a FIRST team (RIT didn't last year...no good). Don't know if that answers your question, but theres an answer.

Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by Matt Leese at 04/24/2001 1:19 PM EST


College Student on team #73, Tigerbolt, from Edison Technical HS and Alstom & Fiber Technologies & RIT.


In Reply to: Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Deej- T190 on 04/24/2001 10:22 AM EST:



Deej, you've got it partially right. 1996 was the first year RIT was involved with FIRST. However it was the 4th year for Edison Tech (the high school) and the second year for Harris/RF (the sponsor).

Matt who sometimes has to correct the teachers on the history that THEY went through and he didn't...

Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by Deej- T190 at 04/24/2001 3:46 PM EST


Engineer on team #190, Gompeii, from Mass Academy and WPI.


In Reply to: Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Matt Leese on 04/24/2001 1:19 PM EST:



Matt, yeah I know about the RIT connection. I was doing some research on my own about teams a few months ago about teams that started up during the first 4 or 5 years of the competition, when i saw that edison tech was a sponser and that Harris had been a part too. Thanks for the follow up.

deej

: Deej, you've got it partially right. 1996 was the

first year RIT was involved with FIRST. However it was the 4th year for Edison Tech (the high school) and the second year for Harris/RF (the sponsor).

: Matt who sometimes has to correct the teachers on the history that THEY went through and he didn't...

Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by colleen - T190 at 04/24/2001 10:50 AM EST


Engineer on team #190, Gompei, from Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science and WPI.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



I got accepted to BU last year without knowing they had a team. At nationals, everyone kept telling me they saw a BU sponsored team, and sure enough they existed! That sealed my decision. This year I, like Deej, transferred to WPI for academic reasons. However, had they not had a such a great FIRST team, I probably would have just stayed at BU and dealt with it.

(But I still love Team246!! you rock!)

--colleen shaver
1996-1999 - Clinton High School/Nypro Team 126
2000 - Team 246
2001-? - Team 190 WPI/MassAcademy

Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by Tim Baird at 04/24/2001 12:06 PM EST


Engineer on team #190, Gompei, from Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science and WPI.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



When choosing colleges last year, the presence of a FIRST team was a major component for me in addition to an excellent mechanical engineering program. It basically came down to WPI and Northeastern, both of which have high quality FIRST teams. The secondary reason for me choosing WPI was the terrific scholarship that they award to a high school junior or senior. This is just one more example of why colleges should sponsor FIRST teams and give out scholarships.
Tim Baird

Wow, Im the first senior to respond.....;)
 

Posted by Jessica Boucher at 04/24/2001 3:00 PM EST


Student on team #237, Sie-H2O-Bots, from Watertown High School and Eastern Awning Systems & The Siemon Company.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



My quote:

"Before FIRST, I wanted to do international relations. Through my leadership role on my team, I knew I wanted to go into international business administration. With a major like that, I thought that it would be tough fitting in FIRST, but thankfully even business schools are seeing the teamwork, communication, and fundraising involved to get one of these teams off the ground...it's good to know that FIRST will still be a constant in my life."

Jessica Boucher
Student Leader & Head of Communications, Team #237 (Watertown, CT)
International Business, Babson College

Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by Chris Orimoto at 04/24/2001 4:16 PM EST


Student on team #368, Kika Mana, from McKinley High School and Nasa Ames/Hawaiian Electric/Weinberg Foundation.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



Even before I got involved with FIRST, I was interested in going into engineering. FIRST provided me with a way to work with my "goal". It was unlike the high school sports I've played...it was different. Honestly though, I can't say that it affected my college choice too much. I applied to all the schools that I wanted to go to because of their academic reputation. I only ended up with like 4 choices in the end. I chose (most likely) to attend the University of Washington...which sponsors a few FIRST teams. However, I think my personal choice would be to start up my own FIRST team.

Hope that helps (although its a little vague)

Chris, Team #368

my quote
 

Posted by Chris Hardman at 04/24/2001 4:30 PM EST


Student on team #111, WILDSTANG, from Rolling Meadows and Wheeling High schools and motorola.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



my quote "i have always liked taking things apart and putting them together. However i always loved that software controlled everything. So being on a FIRST team and watching what software can do influenced me to choose Computer Science as my major"

Chris Hardman
Team 111
Grand Valley State University

: I am trying to gather a list of 1-3 line quotes on how FIRST teams played a role in choosing where you go to college.... So I am posing the following question: To what extent did FIRST play a role in choosing which college you go to?

: Again 1-3 line responses are best so I can easily put them in a presentation to our admissions office, but longer ones are also fine. Also please put your name, high school, and where you are going to college in the message. Thanks very much.

: Patrick

Re: my quote
 

Posted by Mike Soukup at 04/24/2001 8:13 PM EST


Engineer on team #111, Wildstang, from Rolling Meadows & Wheeling and Motorola.


In Reply to: my quote
Posted by Chris Hardman on 04/24/2001 4:30 PM EST:



Nice to hear you finally say some nice stuff about software instead of making fun of us. We'll make a computer geek out of you yet!

Mike

Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by Kate T190 at 04/24/2001 5:15 PM EST


College Student on team #190, Gompei, from Mass Academy of Math and Science and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



FIRST pushed my interests from teaching to engineering. Because of it, I applied to WPI, RIT, and UNH. While I chose WPI based on academics, financial aid, and closeness to home, FIRST still had quite a bit to do with it. WPI had a well established team; I had people willing to help me restart the team at RIT; and UNH was interested in starting a team if I organized it. So wherever I went, there was going to be FIRST, I'm really glad I chose to come to WPI.

Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by Becky Allen at 04/24/2001 6:10 PM EST


College Student on team #356, The Enigma, from North Little Rock High School and Pulaski Academy and UALR/Hendrix College/NASA.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



"I've always been one of those people that isn't really bad at anything, but on the other hand, I never had a forte for one subject. When I found FIRST in high school, I was hooked. FIRST spans so many different elements, that it is impossible not to find something you like or do well. On my college team, I like to be involved in everything. While I may not end up majoring in engineering, I'm glad that my college sponsors a FIRST team. It showed me that my college was interested and dedicated to technology and the future. I know that when I graduate I will work for a large corporation; I just haven't decided what I will be doing. FIRST instills and demonstrates task management, responsibility, communication skills, and dedication, just to name a few. No matter what career path I choose to take,I am confidant that in the future these skills will become valuable assests. If a college wants to challenge and make their students better, a FIRST team is crucial. Even though I'm no longer on the same team and I'm miles away from home, I still have one constant in my life, FIRST. Sometimes, as in my case, FIRST not only affects high school students, it guides college students. Every college must invest in FIRST."

Becky Allen
Team #16-Baxter Healthcare/Mountain Home HS--The Bomb Squad
Team #356-Hendrix College/UALR/NASA/North Little Rock HS/Pulaski Academy--Enigma

Sorry this is so long. You may edit any part of it that you wish.

Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by Joe Ross at 04/24/2001 6:43 PM EST


College Student on team #330, Beach Bot, from Hope Chapel Academy and NASA/JPL , J&F Machine, and Raytheon.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



I would have never heard of RIT if it hadn't been for their FIRST team in 97 and 98.

Joe Ross
Beachbot 97-2001
Tigerbolt 2002-?

PS, for those who haven't heard yet, I am transferring to RIT, made my final decision last night.

PPS, is this the only 1-3 line response yet?

Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by Lora Knepper at 04/24/2001 10:34 PM EST


Other on team #177, Bobcat Robotics - Adoptee, from South Windsor High School and International Fuel Cells.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



It was FIRST that took me from music to engineering. I told admissions that if they did not have a FIRST team they would soon be get one if they admitted me - because without FIRST I would not even have applied.

~ Lora

Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by Janna at 04/25/2001 4:40 PM EST


Student on team #349, The RoBahamas, from International Academy and Ford Motor Company and Robert Bosch GmbH.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



My college decision was mostly based on the course offerings for my intended major, biology, but I hope FIRST will play a part in my college experience. I'll be going to the University of Michigan, and even though they don't sponsor a team right now, I actually like that because it will give me the opportunity to help start a team and share this awesome life-changing gift to some new high school kids.

Janna Hutz

Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by Steve Brierty at 04/27/2001 8:45 PM EST


College Student on team #461, Westside Boiler Invasion, from Purdue University.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



I was a member of team 141, West Ottawa High School and Johnson Controls. The fact that Purdue is one of the top engineering schools in the Midwest, combined with their fledgling FIRST team convinced me to take my quest for a degree in engineering here.

Side note: Anybody at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, how does it look for getting a team started there? I might be at U of M next year, and I would love to help out a new team.

Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by Brandon Heller at 04/28/2001 11:14 PM EST


Student on team #449, Blair Blazers, from Montgomery Blair High School and NASA Goddard, Sigma Space.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



For me, either the school already had a FIRST team, or I was going to start one from scratch. The more important factors in my college decision were class size, academics, people, and the campus. That said, I'll be attending Wash U. at St. Louis in the fall, and will probably be starting up a FIRST team there.

Brandon
Team 449

Re: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
 

Posted by Brandon Heller at 04/28/2001 11:17 PM EST


Student on team #449, Blair Blazers, from Montgomery Blair High School and NASA Goddard, Sigma Space.


In Reply to: High School Seniors please read (and college students)
Posted by Patrick Dingle on 04/24/2001 9:44 AM EST:



For me, either the school already had a FIRST team, or I was going to start one from scratch. The more important factors in my college decision were class size, academics, people, and the campus. That said, I'll be attending Wash U. at St. Louis in the fall, and will probably be starting up a FIRST team there.

Brandon
Team 449

P.S. Is anyone else in this forum going there?