Alright, so here's the scoop. I am 21 years old, and will have finished my AA degree after the Fall 2011 quarter. I have decided on a major in Mechanical Engineering. I have sifted through the schools in my area and applied and been accepted to both of the following schools:
University of Idaho (for the spring 2012 semester)
Eastern Washington University (for winter 2011 quarter)
Now, that being said, lets review my financial situation. I work summers and rake in some cash, so I have some saved up. If I sell my car, I can pay cash for the first semester at U of I. The entire first year could be paid for at EWU. I receive NO financial aid, so just do not ask. lol.
I'll try and make this easy to read:
University of Idaho:
2nd in the area for engineering
$25k/yr for tuition (+living, etc) which would decrease to 5400/yr after the first year (upon receiving "in state" status)
Eastern Washington University:
Fairly low on the list for an engineering school
$6k/yr tuition and I can live at home (free )
Mechanical Engineering program is NOT ABET certified (because it is a new program)
My question is, what would you guys do in this situation? I'm looking for some advice from people who possibly already have degrees in engineering or related fields; Does the pending ABET certification make much of a difference? Is it worth the extra cash to go to the University of Idaho? In terms of my first job, does it seem that which school I graduated from have a large effect on the likelihood of being hired?
Sorry for the novel full of questions.. lol
University of Idaho (for the spring 2012 semester)
Eastern Washington University (for winter 2011 quarter)
Now, that being said, lets review my financial situation. I work summers and rake in some cash, so I have some saved up. If I sell my car, I can pay cash for the first semester at U of I. The entire first year could be paid for at EWU. I receive NO financial aid, so just do not ask. lol.
I'll try and make this easy to read:
University of Idaho:
2nd in the area for engineering
$25k/yr for tuition (+living, etc) which would decrease to 5400/yr after the first year (upon receiving "in state" status)
Eastern Washington University:
Fairly low on the list for an engineering school
$6k/yr tuition and I can live at home (free )
Mechanical Engineering program is NOT ABET certified (because it is a new program)
My question is, what would you guys do in this situation? I'm looking for some advice from people who possibly already have degrees in engineering or related fields; Does the pending ABET certification make much of a difference? Is it worth the extra cash to go to the University of Idaho? In terms of my first job, does it seem that which school I graduated from have a large effect on the likelihood of being hired?
Sorry for the novel full of questions.. lol