Anyone know anything about Texas A&M?

[JagFarlane]

So...currently I'm attending a community college, and knocking out the general education courses, but plan to transfer in the next year to a 4 year school to continue my degree in nuclear engineering. From what I see there are all of 21 schools that offer nuclear engineering as a major, of which I've eliminated several due to finances or other [Air Force Academy...yeah right!]. One of the ones thats interested me so far is Texas A&M, they're generally highly ranked in program strength, and seem to be on the cutting edge. However, I'm hoping for outside opinions, someone who went there, lives in the area, etc.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

They're serious about their football.

 

[Austin8]

So...currently I'm attending a community college, and knocking out the general education courses, but plan to transfer in the next year to a 4 year school to continue my degree in nuclear engineering. From what I see there are all of 21 schools that offer nuclear engineering as a major, of which I've eliminated several due to finances or other [Air Force Academy...yeah right!]. One of the ones thats interested me so far is Texas A&M, they're generally highly ranked in program strength, and seem to be on the cutting edge. However, I'm hoping for outside opinions, someone who went there, lives in the area, etc.

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
Hey Jag, ATM is a fine University, many doctors, lawyers, and chemical engineers call it their alma matter.

However it is a somewhat strict learning environment, due to the cadets that also call it home.

I didn't go there, but have many friends that did. All in all you won't be disappointed with the professionalism of the school. Oh and bears right... They do take there football real serious...

 

[neonlyte]

They're serious about their football.

Do the baking classes as your second 'masters', scrub the football. Everyone loves a cake, especially a glowing cake.

 

[neci]

i would definitely visit it before going to see if is a fit for you. the academic programs are pretty good - especially in the math and science areas... college station is a pretty conservative place, and it is a true taste of Texas. in general, Aggies scare me, but so do lots of other people.

 

[Austin8]

i would definitely visit it before going to see if is a fit for you. the academic programs are pretty good - especially in the math and science areas... college station is a pretty conservative place, and it is a true taste of Texas. in general, Aggies scare me, but so do lots of other people.

Come now, really? Yee Haw!

welcome to the AH!

 

[neci]

Come now, really? Yee Haw!

aggies.... they are a breed unto their own...

 

[Austin8]

aggies.... they are a breed unto their own...

hahaha they really are...
Hook Em

 

[JagFarlane]

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Hey Jag, ATM is a fine University, many doctors, lawyers, and chemical engineers call it their alma matter.

However it is a somewhat strict learning environment, due to the cadets that also call it home.

I didn't go there, but have many friends that did. All in all you won't be disappointed with the professionalism of the school. Oh and bears right... They do take there football real serious...

Meh, probably not as strict as my previous school. Naval Nuclear Power Training Command...military only school for two years. Just means it'll be fun messing with the cadets for me, heh heh.

LOL yeah I know about Texas and football. Thank God its a bit of a distance from Dallas though...I'm a born and raised Iggles fan.

 

[Austin8]

Meh, probably not as strict as my previous school. Naval Nuclear Power Training Command...military only school for two years. Just means it'll be fun messing with the cadets for me, heh heh.

LOL yeah I know about Texas and football. Thank God its a bit of a distance from Dallas though...I'm a born and raised Iggles fan.

But for real, you should plan a trip to visit the school...

 

[neci]

But for real, you should plan a trip to visit the school...

i have to second that! texas has quite a few good schools... plus there is nothing better than a road trip driving through small texas towns.

 

[driphoney]

So...currently I'm attending a community college, and knocking out the general education courses, but plan to transfer in the next year to a 4 year school to continue my degree in nuclear engineering. From what I see there are all of 21 schools that offer nuclear engineering as a major, of which I've eliminated several due to finances or other [Air Force Academy...yeah right!]. One of the ones thats interested me so far is Texas A&M, they're generally highly ranked in program strength, and seem to be on the cutting edge. However, I'm hoping for outside opinions, someone who went there, lives in the area, etc.

Do you or have you ever lived in Texas? Any school pride you've seen elsewhere probably is a weak shadow of what you find in Texas, especially A&M. It goes beyond football. When looking over their web-site, pay special attention to the school traditions section. Read it very carefully, imagine yourself surrounded by it, breathing it every minute of every day. Are you comfortable with it?

A campus visit is a good idea with any school you choose.

 

[Austin8]

Well put DH!

 

[JagFarlane]

But for real, you should plan a trip to visit the school...

I've looked into it. Their transfer student day is right in the middle of my fall semester so not sure if I could make that. However I've been in contact with the dept admin/one of the professors and have asked if they would be willing to show me around during a more convenient time. I can't imagine it would be too much of a bother, the nuclear engineering dept is a tiny dept, with no more than 230ish students each year.

 

[SlickTony]

It has a high rep as a good engineering school. My 1st husband went there.

 

[JagFarlane]

It has a high rep as a good engineering school. My 1st husband went there.

Yeah, this year it was 3rd overall for nuclear engineering...behind Michigan and MIT

 

[TxRad]

If ya need a place to stay and transport, let me know. I only live 90 miles from Aggieland.

 

[Dragonlipz]

So...currently I'm attending a community college, and knocking out the general education courses, but plan to transfer in the next year to a 4 year school to continue my degree in nuclear engineering. From what I see there are all of 21 schools that offer nuclear engineering as a major, of which I've eliminated several due to finances or other [Air Force Academy...yeah right!]. One of the ones thats interested me so far is Texas A&M, they're generally highly ranked in program strength, and seem to be on the cutting edge. However, I'm hoping for outside opinions, someone who went there, lives in the area, etc.

I graduated from the University of MO at Rolla as an ME.....many years ago but A&M was highly regarded by the Nuke E's as a grad school ........If you're intent as you seem to be, I would recommend it but then, I never went there, only knew some who did......
Some advice: Fuck a bunch of 'tradition' and 'Texas nonsense' - none of it means shit except to a pack of drunk fraternity brats on friday night......
go somewhere that you can get an education.......

 

[Austin8]

I graduated from the University of MO at Rolla as an ME.....many years ago but A&M was highly regarded by the Nuke E's as a grad school ........If you're intent as you seem to be, I would recommend it but then, I never went there, only knew some who did......
Some advice: Fuck a bunch of 'tradition' and 'Texas nonsense' - none of it means shit except to a pack of drunk fraternity brats on friday night......
go somewhere that you can get an education.......

Hey there Lipz, your talking about something you know nothing about...
your giving some shitty advice to some one who had a serious question.
if Jag does indeed choose to go to A&M. Texas tradition is a big factor.
It applies to everyone in the state!
Not just a bunch of fucked up frat boys...

 

[DesertPirate]

How did the Texass aggie die getting a drink of milk?

The cow fell on him!


EATME
A friend had this done as a t-shirt since we are NMSU Aggies!

 

[Chantilyvamp]

heh, okay my view on the Aggies...

Great asses, fun as hell, must have as next door roommates at university conferences, can drink most people under the ground. And yes they take their football very seriously...again reinforces the great asses bit!

Now as for the schooling well now that i know nothing of but have heard it's a great school as well

 

[freshface]

So...currently I'm attending a community college, and knocking out the general education courses, but plan to transfer in the next year to a 4 year school to continue my degree in nuclear engineering. From what I see there are all of 21 schools that offer nuclear engineering as a major, of which I've eliminated several due to finances or other [Air Force Academy...yeah right!]. One of the ones thats interested me so far is Texas A&M, they're generally highly ranked in program strength, and seem to be on the cutting edge. However, I'm hoping for outside opinions, someone who went there, lives in the area, etc.

If finances are the sticking point, you should qualify for the new GI bill, which will pay for three years of full time college, including housing allowance.

 

[The_Fool]

Okay, I am going to commit sacrilege. As long as the college has adequate accreditation, the academic standing of the school often ranks lower than other factors when pursuing your undergraduate degree, at least from an academic perspective. By adequate, the school needs to be accredited by a national organization. In an undergraduate program, you are going to take pretty much the same courses from many of the same books from both good and bad teachers no matter what school you go to.

From your viewpoint, there are other factors that need to weigh higher:

1. You mentioned that you were currently going to school at a Community College. Time to validate with counselors that the subjects you are taking will transfer to the school of your choice. Most of the time, in-state 2 year and 4 year colleges work together to establish a seamless transfer, but you need to check, and that check needs to be with the counselors at the 4 year school as they have the final say. That being said, take as many hours as you possibly can at the community college as it is the most cost effective. There is an upper limit, probably about 60 semester hours.

2. Consider your ability to pay and look at the cost of the school and the availability of financial aid. Do the FAFSA, look at college scholarships and look online and in your community for additional funds.

3. If someone is going to need to work during the school year, consider the opportunity for employment in the community. Small Town Texas may or may not offer sufficient opportunity for employment.

Beyond the basic class work, there are areas of the college to look at:

1. Is there an opportunity for Summer Internships and/or Cooperative Education? These programs offer okay money, good training and better opportunities to network. I would say that the many if not the majority of these employment opportunities result in a job offer from the employer. Just remember this is a two-way street. They are checking you out at the same time you are checking them out.

2. Who hires at that campus? Look to see who recruits and what the placement center is like at the school. This is where a Named School helps because they often have better job opportunities. Along with this, there should be metrics of employment, salary, etc. for grads from that college.

3. College Environment. Do you like it? As a nontraditional student, my expectation is that you are less likely to care about this. I know I didn’t. It is important from the aspect that if you are in a school with mostly traditional students, your ability to interact may be affected. In an engineering curriculum, this is important because you will find yourself working in study groups and also doing team projects. I find this very annoying, especially in my masters, because I had already been in teams for decades and really didn’t need to team for the education experience of doing so.

4. Do they offer a masters program? Some students like to go ahead and to their bachelors and masters sequentially without a break. Many would never get a masters if they hadn’t. It can be difficult to go back.

5. How does the industry view the school? Do some research into some of the employers you would like to work for and see if they network with the school. Obviously, they recruit there, that is a very positive indication.

The name of the school on your diploma and the GPA your received only matters until you walk into the door of your first employer. After that, it is a footnote to your career unless you go for a graduate degree. Coming out of college with an undergrad degree is just like getting out of your MOS training in the military. Although you think you know a lot, once you get to your job, you find that you know a whole lot less than you need to know. The training was just to get you to a point where you could speak the language.

 

[TxRad]

Several people have called Bryan/College Station a small Texas town. Wrong. Small town feel yes, but there is everything under the sun there. Both cities are fair sized and growing well. A&M is the reason for College Station but the area has major industry and business.

Just thought I'd clear that up.

On a footnote.

A&M is a major agricultural college but not limited to only that. It is also a very forward thinking college. A good friends daughter graduated there and actually started her own field of study when she showed people it had potential. Now she teaches her own courses at A&M and world wide. I'm not up on what it is exactly but it has to do with wind generation and applied sciences. The networking of multi wind towers for optimum output and stability.

A&M also has a long and storied list of Alumni. Governors, Presidents, Ceo's, ect.

 

[JagFarlane]

If finances are the sticking point, you should qualify for the new GI bill, which will pay for three years of full time college, including housing allowance.

I do qualify and actually already starting to use it. Its actually 36 months of useage and they count it per day.

Okay, I am going to commit sacrilege. As long as the college has adequate accreditation, the academic standing of the school often ranks lower than other factors when pursuing your undergraduate degree, at least from an academic perspective. By adequate, the school needs to be accredited by a national organization. In an undergraduate program, you are going to take pretty much the same courses from many of the same books from both good and bad teachers no matter what school you go to.

From your viewpoint, there are other factors that need to weigh higher:

1. You mentioned that you were currently going to school at a Community College. Time to validate with counselors that the subjects you are taking will transfer to the school of your choice. Most of the time, in-state 2 year and 4 year colleges work together to establish a seamless transfer, but you need to check, and that check needs to be with the counselors at the 4 year school as they have the final say. That being said, take as many hours as you possibly can at the community college as it is the most cost effective. There is an upper limit, probably about 60 semester hours.

Phew lol ok gonna try to answer these questions as you asked them.

I've already been in contact with the department head in regards to transfer abilities. He offered today to advise me in the coursework I'll do at the community college to ensure all credits transfer smoothly.

2. Consider your ability to pay and look at the cost of the school and the availability of financial aid. Do the FAFSA, look at college scholarships and look online and in your community for additional funds.

As far as financial aid goes, I qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, of which Texas made it a point to ensure they covered every single major in the state [instead of the average tuition they sent up the tuition costs for the most expensive major]. so that covers a good sized chunk of the tuition. It also includes a stipend depending on area and how Congress feels this fall.
The dept head has also offered to go through all of their scholarships and grants to see what else I qualify for.

3. If someone is going to need to work during the school year, consider the opportunity for employment in the community. Small Town Texas may or may not offer sufficient opportunity for employment.

The school itself is already interested in hiring me on. Not only do I have previous reactor experience, but since my community college is planning to pick me up as a tutor, Texas AM is interested in having me continue on at their school in that facet.

Beyond the basic class work, there are areas of the college to look at:

1. Is there an opportunity for Summer Internships and/or Cooperative Education? These programs offer okay money, good training and better opportunities to network. I would say that the many if not the majority of these employment opportunities result in a job offer from the employer. Just remember this is a two-way street. They are checking you out at the same time you are checking them out.

Yes there is.

2. Who hires at that campus? Look to see who recruits and what the placement center is like at the school. This is where a Named School helps because they often have better job opportunities. Along with this, there should be metrics of employment, salary, etc. for grads from that college.

The job spread over most of the schools that offer my major [21 schools in the US] is fairly well spread out as each school is a nationally recognized school. Combine that with the fact that I would be approx 1 of 425 graduates in that major. The timing actually works out quite in my favor as the workforce in that field is starting to retire while demand is rising.

3. College Environment. Do you like it? As a nontraditional student, my expectation is that you are less likely to care about this. I know I didn’t. It is important from the aspect that if you are in a school with mostly traditional students, your ability to interact may be affected. In an engineering curriculum, this is important because you will find yourself working in study groups and also doing team projects. I find this very annoying, especially in my masters, because I had already been in teams for decades and really didn’t need to team for the education experience of doing so.

This is why I started this thread really. To get a feel for the college. I do plan to take a visit sometime later this year to see for myself.

4. Do they offer a masters program? Some students like to go ahead and to their bachelors and masters sequentially without a break. Many would never get a masters if they hadn’t. It can be difficult to go back.

All the way up to PhD

5. How does the industry view the school? Do some research into some of the employers you would like to work for and see if they network with the school. Obviously, they recruit there, that is a very positive indication.

Well liked school. But like I said before, each of the schools is respected.

The name of the school on your diploma and the GPA your received only matters until you walk into the door of your first employer. After that, it is a footnote to your career unless you go for a graduate degree. Coming out of college with an undergrad degree is just like getting out of your MOS training in the military. Although you think you know a lot, once you get to your job, you find that you know a whole lot less than you need to know. The training was just to get you to a point where you could speak the language.

That depends on the MOS...you don't tell a Recon Sniper how to shoot, and college graduate nuke engineers learn Navy folk are way ahead of them