Many of my first year classes covered the basics in engineering, chemistry, physics, and other sciences. I picked up quite a bit though most students retain about a third of what they learn. Some of your classes will definitely build on themselves (ie when you take statics, you will need to redraw from your physics). However, the courses are easily paced since material is normally reviewed or otherwise sample problems will be demonstrated in class, some of which are mostly similar to homework problems. The engineering courses are definitely not for the faint of heart, I took a 3rd/4th year class (Chemical Processes for Environmental Engineers) that ran deep into water chemistry. Some of the less brilliant students had trouble following as the class pace was quite quick. I do remember some of my other first and second year classes have a quick course pace. This is definitely a step up from my high school. My school progressed slowly through material to keep the much less intelligent students on board. If you're taking several AP courses and/or you are doing quite well in school, GPA 3.0+ (3.5+ recommended), you will enjoy the pace of some of the basic courses and will do fine C+/B- and probably higher in even the toughest of classes. If you are, perhaps, not a brainiac, you can still do well in the classes with help from the learning centers. Sometimes, even the smartest of students can benefit from these centers as they can work with other students in simply doing work, as what happens in my department at the Student Success Center
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
I do like it here quite a bit. I've lived in the dorms my first two years and moved to on campus apartments my third/current year. In the dorms, you will make a lot of friends that would have otherwise seemed impossible to have done, especially if you live in a learning-community hall (there are a select few halls in the dormitories that give you a closer-knit bond with your hallmates through several planned activities). One of these activities is the winter carnival snow statues that are resurrected each year into beautiful masterpieces. It makes the campus scene very enjoyable in february after all the snow. Another aspect of being here that I like is the opportunity to play as many intramural sports, attend Division I games for free, enjoy the snowboarding/ski hill, portage lake golf course, and free admission to the indoor Gates Tennis Center all for $64 per semester. If you are an active student, this is definitely a bargain. Another cool thing is broomball-a sport played like hockey without skates, with modified brooms and a 6 sized ball. It is the best equivalent for many students to being in a varsity sport since broomball has such a high tradition and support level throughout the community. Some of the downsides of living here can be the tremendous amounts of lake effect snow we receive. The BIGGEST downside however is the distance away from home you will have to be. Since this college is located in the far western upper peninsula of Michigan, you will likely be quite isolated from family. You may come from MN or WI which makes you a bit closer, but you will pay out of state tuition=$30000. If you are in-state, which basically means you are from the Metro-Detroit area, Saginaw, Grand Rapids, you have a long drive my friend. If from any other state, you are probably looking at either a LONG drive or an expensive plane trip home.
Another good thing about the university, something that just came to mind, is that there are GREAT! opportunities to take a le...
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Well I quite covered that in the previous:
OUT OF STATE (NOT MI)=$30,000 typical
IN-STATE (MI)=$17,000 typical and maybe a bit more (dorms)
It is the second most expensive school in Michigan second only to UofMich. The education is pretty good and Michigan Tech has a very good reputation. A college degree from Michigan Tech is very good in the eyes of many employers. In previous years (when the economy was better), most students would get internships from companies that came to the Michigan Tech career fair.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Take science and math oriented classes and apply for scholarships to help pay. Also, research each of the majors you may be interested in-mechanical, environmental, chemical, electrical, civil engineering or computer science, physics, mathematics, geology so that you don't waste time and MONEY on courses. I have a good head in each of these due to my lengthy career here so feel free to ask me and especially one of the representatives on the admissions page.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
This is a science and engineering-oriented university. It's biggest programs are in the engineering department, so if you enjoy the engineering challenge, then this is the right school for you!! It also has some good program majors in the sciences department such as material sciences and mechanical engineering technology. It is THE #1 school for forestry, so any interest in the woods would do you well.
Many of my first year classes covered the basics in engineering, chemistry, physics, and other sciences. I picked up quite a bit though most students retain about a third of what they learn. Some of your classes will definitely build on themselves (ie when you take statics, you will need to redraw from your physics). However, the courses are easily paced since material is normally reviewed or otherwise sample problems will be demonstrated in class, some of which are mostly similar to homework problems. The engineering courses are definitely not for the faint of heart, I took a 3rd/4th year class (Chemical Processes for Environmental Engineers) that ran deep into water chemistry. Some of the less brilliant students had trouble following as the class pace was quite quick. I do remember some of my other first and second year classes have a quick course pace. This is definitely a step up from my high school. My school progressed slowly through material to keep the much less intelligent students on board. If you're taking several AP courses and/or you are doing quite well in school, GPA 3.0+ (3.5+ recommended), you will enjoy the pace of some of the basic courses and will do fine C+/B- and probably higher in even the toughest of classes. If you are, perhaps, not a brainiac, you can still do well in the classes with help from the learning centers. Sometimes, even the smartest of students can benefit from these centers as they can work with other students in simply doing work, as what happens in my department at the Student Success Center
I do like it here quite a bit. I've lived in the dorms my first two years and moved to on campus apartments my third/current year. In the dorms, you will make a lot of friends that would have otherwise seemed impossible to have done, especially if you live in a learning-community hall (there are a select few halls in the dormitories that give you a closer-knit bond with your hallmates through several planned activities). One of these activities is the winter carnival snow statues that are resurrected each year into beautiful masterpieces. It makes the campus scene very enjoyable in february after all the snow. Another aspect of being here that I like is the opportunity to play as many intramural sports, attend Division I games for free, enjoy the snowboarding/ski hill, portage lake golf course, and free admission to the indoor Gates Tennis Center all for $64 per semester. If you are an active student, this is definitely a bargain. Another cool thing is broomball-a sport played like hockey without skates, with modified brooms and a 6 sized ball. It is the best equivalent for many students to being in a varsity sport since broomball has such a high tradition and support level throughout the community. Some of the downsides of living here can be the tremendous amounts of lake effect snow we receive. The BIGGEST downside however is the distance away from home you will have to be. Since this college is located in the far western upper peninsula of Michigan, you will likely be quite isolated from family. You may come from MN or WI which makes you a bit closer, but you will pay out of state tuition=$30000. If you are in-state, which basically means you are from the Metro-Detroit area, Saginaw, Grand Rapids, you have a long drive my friend. If from any other state, you are probably looking at either a LONG drive or an expensive plane trip home. Another good thing about the university, something that just came to mind, is that there are GREAT! opportunities to take a le...
Well I quite covered that in the previous: OUT OF STATE (NOT MI)=$30,000 typical IN-STATE (MI)=$17,000 typical and maybe a bit more (dorms) It is the second most expensive school in Michigan second only to UofMich. The education is pretty good and Michigan Tech has a very good reputation. A college degree from Michigan Tech is very good in the eyes of many employers. In previous years (when the economy was better), most students would get internships from companies that came to the Michigan Tech career fair.
Take science and math oriented classes and apply for scholarships to help pay. Also, research each of the majors you may be interested in-mechanical, environmental, chemical, electrical, civil engineering or computer science, physics, mathematics, geology so that you don't waste time and MONEY on courses. I have a good head in each of these due to my lengthy career here so feel free to ask me and especially one of the representatives on the admissions page.
This is a science and engineering-oriented university. It's biggest programs are in the engineering department, so if you enjoy the engineering challenge, then this is the right school for you!! It also has some good program majors in the sciences department such as material sciences and mechanical engineering technology. It is THE #1 school for forestry, so any interest in the woods would do you well.