Rutgers Offers An Honors Level Engineering Education

Engineering education comes in different forms. A small number of small colleges offer engineering majors. There are also small and mid-sized (3,000 to 7,500 students) institutes of technology. Still others pursue their engineering education at large universities such as Rutgers-New Brunswick.

Each has their pluses and minuses. Undergrads receive the lions share of attention at small colleges as well as smaller institutes of technology. If you need a teacher for help and motivation, these schools are the best ticket to a good engineering education. Large and mid-sized research universities are a mixed bag. Some, like Villanova and The College of New Jersey, give undergraduates priority in engineering education. But others like the Ivies, Ivy-likes and large public and private universities offer a more personal engineering education to their graduate students. However, these schools have more access to the latest technology, larger alumni bases and more employers coming to recruit on campus.

But what if you could combine the more personalized engineering education at a small school with the resources of a much larger one?

That’s where an engineering honors college is your ticket to an engineering education. I had the privilege to interview Jean Patrick Antione, Director of the Rutgers School of Engineering Honors Academy. Jean Patrick is an assistant dean who also directs Rutgers’ outreach to high school students who are interested in engineering.

Rutgers has offered an engineering honors experience since 1984. However, under Jean Patrick’s direction, the experience has become more collaborative and residential. This academy is a true honors college for engineering education. However, admission is selective. Only 50 to 70 freshmen are chosen each year, all by invitation. All are excellent students who are also considering more selective colleges and institutes of technology. Other honors college and programs at other schools do this, too. But there are also schools that let prospective students apply to compete for a spot.

Listen to this interview. You will learn about all this, and more:

• The benefits of being in Rutgers School of Engineering Honors Academy
• Opportunities to collaborate and excel in an undergraduate engineering education at Rutgers
• Residential living experiences offered through the Academy
• Achievements of past Academy graduates

I am a Rutgers alumnus, and might be a “hometown booster” at times. But a program such as the Engineering Honors Academy is something that very bright people interested in an engineering education should seriously consider. An engineering education is demanding. Competition for the best internships and jobs is intense. It really helps to have faculty and friends in your corner. They may be part of your network for life.

Need help on the journey to college? Contact me at stuart@educatedquest.com or call me at 609-406-0062.

Want to know more about me? Check out these podcasts!

Listen to my talk, College Is A Learning AND Living Community, hosted by Dr. Cynthia Colon from Destination YOUniversity on Voice of America Radio!

Listen to my talk, What Exactly Is a Good College? hosted by test-prep experts Amy Seeley and Mike Bergin on Tests And The Rest!

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