Return to the College Advisor Home Page Return to the College Advisor Home Page "Do you love science and math and want to be in a place that knows how to educate you in the furthest reaches of science and math?" asks Teresa C. Duffy, Dean of Admissions at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. That's the defining question that indicates you're ready to search out the best engineering institute for your particular interests. Engineering institutes come in all sizes and shapes to serve the multitude of facets of a technical career. "The first cut is what do you like and want to do," suggests Duffy.
Many universities have excellent engineering departments that bear consideration; however, an institute that focuses exclusively on engineering provides a technical education in a different context.
Duffy sums it up by looking at the depth of understanding Rensselaer students receive in physics and the importance that is placed on research opportunities at the undergraduate level. At major universities, most research is focused on the graduate level. "Undergraduates are low on the totem pole," she says. "Researchers are not going to let some junior or senior tinker in their labs." But at Rensselaer, undergrads work closely with professors doing sophisticated research. "Undergrads have access to them literally across the board," she says.
Jennifer Barton caught the way Rensselaer emphasizes hands-on learning on her campus visit there. It's what made her decide to study chemical engineering at Rensselaer. "Students have time to do more experiments and not be worried about other liberal arts studies," she observes. She felt that engineering at the universities she visited was more of a sideline. "Pick a school that totally focuses on math and science," she advises. "Maybe I will change my major here at Rensselaer, but I know it will be math and science oriented."
Because of the specialized focus of an institute like Rensselaer, Mike Stern, who is a dual-degree major in information technology there, was able to get a wider spectrum in computers that covers both hardware and software. "I like to have a broad knowledge about what I'm learning," he says.
He also was fascinated with the top-of-the-line equipment he saw. "It was like the labs were built for me," he confides. Duffy agrees that for technical students, access to the latest computing and science equipment is paramount. With their concentration on engineering, institutes often offer a first-class education coupled with state-of-the-art, cutting-edge research.
But before you get too excited about all the equipment you'll get to play with, Duffy advises researching what disciplines each institute is strongest in. "Look at the department that has a phenomenal presence," she suggests.
However, many engineering students start off their technical education unsure in what specific direction they want to go. Barton at first wanted to become an environmental engineer, but she decided to first get a chemical engineering degree as more can be done with it.
"First and foremost is academics," states Duffy. "The rest is supplemental." Engineering and computer science are demanding fields of study, and Duffy admits that freshmen start off at a rapid clip. If you haven't had physics and calculus I in high school, you are automatically placed at a disadvantage.
She also searches for those students who have pushed themselves and not settled for the easy classes. Since all schools are not equal in what they offer, Duffy compares the curriculums that students had access to with what they chose. She also wants students who "add value to our community." By this she means someone who has not been staring at a computer all during high school but has found out there is more to life.
"You don't apply casually to a place like Rensselaer," Duffy stresses. The students who thrive in an environment like Rensselaer are those who are serious, dedicated, and focused.