Trying to help son pick a Softwear Engineering school

Don't forget Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Look at graduate employment rates. Seriously. Things like this are incredibly important: http://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/on-campus/full-placement-top-pay.aspx

(but I'm biased!)

What's "Softwear" Engineering?  Is that like someone who engineers fine-fabric sheets? Maybe cycling shorts chamoix?  If that's the case, I submit the University of Kashmir...

Sorry, thought it was funny.

Have to put in a good word for my Alma Mater, Purdue.  I got my degree in Management with a minor in Computer Science, although many moons ago, back in the Fortran/punchcard era.

http://www.purdue.edu/

Mark

Only one I can speak to is MSOE... 

I went to Marquette, and MSOE had some exceptionally bright students. Downtown Milwaukee is a neat place too... I love going back to visit often.

I think MSOE has some nice options for intern, since there is a lot of industry in Milwaukee.

ME TOO! '96 BSEE. I would also add that a degree in EE or CO would be much more marketable in more areas, including Software Engineering.  

What I'm saying is: Software Engineering is too specific.  Also, in over 15 years in the industry (both desktop and embedded software) I've never worked with anyone that has a Software Engineering degree.

Hubby (McFuzz) graduated in 87 with his BSEE and ND in 95.  Nice area and I think he liked the school.  Middle son lives in Milwaukee and loves the area.  I'll ask McFuzz to check in with his .02 when he gets back from his coffee visit with an old friend.

The choice of a school is an optimization problem involving finances, personality, environment, and academics.  I don't regret going to Rose-Hulman for my undergraduate degree (even though they were all-make at the time).  They came through with a decent financial aid package and that education has served me well for 25+ years.  RHIT has been the USNews #1 school for engineering schools without PhD. programs and I joke with people that is because they've raised the standard since I was a student there. 

While I was at Rose, we'd joke that it was good Chauncey Rose put the school in Terre Haute, IN because there was nothing to do but study.  It isn't exactly true. 

As you look at schools, look at the strength of their co-op/internship/summer recruiting program because that will be as critical as the class schedule. 

My son is a Jr. in high school in Texas.  He is interested in CS, MIS, or some type of related discipline.  He did well on the SAT especially math.  He is looking at Tex Tech, A&M, Oklohma State, and Arizona State.  UT is super hard to get in.  These schools offer scholarship money.  Any advise on colleges for CS.

Plus, they've got a great triathlon club...

Mark

This... especially for undergraduate.  If you are considering graduate school then by all means aim high because the best colleges have the "best" funding and more research opportunities.  Undergrad doesn't have as much.  Also if he is trying to stay local it doesn't matter.  If he's trying to get a job making "Call of Duty" or "Madden 12" then go to the best school you can and be an absolute engineering badass while you are there. 

Civil engineering nerd here.

Another vote for this answer... I am a Michigan Tech alum, and although I was not a CS major, my ex-husband (husband at that time) was, and I had a CS minor. It's a good school. Very strong math and science (all kinds) departments. I certainly give it a ringing endorsement and my ex's B.S. in CS from MTU has served him well (currently a Director of IT, making WELL into the six figure range). But I think mehaner is right that outside of the really, really well known schools, the name of the school on the diploma doesn't matter as much as the internship and co-op experience.

(I know that back in the mid 1990s, the co-op program at MTU was quite good, and both the ex and I had multiple summer co-ops at IBM and Unisys. I don't know what it is like now, though.)

Did a visit to Michigan Tech over the weekend, VERY nice school. Looks like they have co-op and internship. They just had a job fair with 270 companies came in recruiting. They have a group they develops software for games and another that is testing software for Chrysler.

Sounds like computer CS and SE take a lot of the same classes. They also have a Computer Systems degree that he can take classes in to learn network security.

There are a lot of great schools out there but I think he likes being closer to home (MTU 4 hours).

Out of high school, probably 20% of my class went to MTU.  Most ended up with good jobs, almost all of them automotive related though.

One of my friends when to Rose-Hullman, ran cross country there, got a BS in CS, and got a good job, but still automotive related.

So, about MTU:  

• it's not close to anything (but from northern WI, not too much different).  It's further to drive from Houghton to Detroit than it is from Detroit to DC.
• One of the snowiest places in the country, over 200" a year
• bad for him, not for you, sausage fest.  2010 freshmen class was 3:1 men:women.  In the 60's it was 20+:1, so it's gotten better.  MSOE is more even, and the UW campuses are probably 50:50
• Lots of winter stuff to do - hockey, skating, skiing, etc.
• All my friends got jobs of some kind after college - although one did do a couple tours from ROTC.  But this was 12 years ago