[archiver]

Posted by Mike Sperber.

Engineer on team #175, BuzzRobotics, from Enrico Fermi High School and UTC/Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems.

Posted on 10/13/2000 2:34 PM MST


In Reply to: The BEST School posted by Michael Martus on 10/11/2000 7:17 PM MST:



Wow! This is a good one.

The BEST school is the one where you feel the most comfortable. It could be a top rated school, but it may not be. Maybe a better way to look at this would be, which is the RIGHT school?

You should select a school based on a number of factors, including (but not limited to):
- quality of education
- size
- location
- accessibility of professors
- curriculum
- comfort

Each person will look at the same school in a different way.

I can't tell you what is the BEST school, and why. But I can try and give you some things to do, and look for:
1) VISIT as many school as you can. Don't just rely on pictures, videos, and the internet. The more schools you visit, the more comfortable you will be visiting others. You never know what school you will like.

2) TALK to as many undergrads as possible. They are the most qualified people on campus when it comes to knowing about undergrad life. Make sure you don't just talk to those in your possible major.

3) GO to the engineering department and SPEAK with the dean and various professors. KNOCK on their doors, and introduce yourself. You may be surprised how willing they will be to talk to a prospective student.

4) WALK around the campus. Try and see every little corner. Make sure to check out the engineering labs and facilities. (While you are there, ask one of the grad students who are stuck in the lab to explain what they are doing.)

5) ASK questions. Ask anybody and everybody questions. Don't just rely on the admissions officer to answer your questions. They have a lot of answers, but not every answer.

6) The STUDENT COMMONS/UNION is a great place to sit and go through the school's information packet. Not only can you get in some good reading about the school, but you can see the real students, not just the students shown in the pictures. Plus it is a great place to TALK to the students (see above).

7) TRUST your gut. The most underutilized resource in selecting a school is your gut. You will know the moment you walk onto a campus whether you like it or not. You will know if you are destined to spend your college days at the school. But, if it doesn't feel right, don't give up on the school. Still take the time to TALK, WALK, and ASK, it may be the right school after all.

One more thing.... One of the major differences I have noticed between schools is what they prepare you for, after graduation.
Some schools do a great job preparing you to enter industry (the real world). Others do a great job preparing you to go to grad school.

Just some thoughts.

Good luck.
-mike
(Univ. of Rochester BSEE'94, MSEE'95)