In response to a comment

Just a quick note: Someone left a comment on the previous post (the co-op one), and to make sure everyone could benefit, I've published my comment as a post. It was a very good question, and if there are specific issues that I have left off, let me know.

I'm not exactly sure what you've heard, but there are a few things out there that I know of. First, you gain nothing by going to IC. Second, it's a huge problem to get into the engineering school. And one more thing I've heard is that you'll be pretty far behind when you switch.

All three couldn't be further from the truth!

First, and foremost: The experience you gain is probably the most valuable asset in attending IC. You gain such an appreciation for all the finer things that college offers, not just what engineering school beats into you.

Next is the switching schools thing. I honestly believe it is a very smooth process IF (and that's a huge if) you make up your mind on where you want to go, and have some idea of what you want to do before your last year (and certainly your last semester) at IC. Giving yourself as much time to plan for classes and such is the #1 thing a student can do to ease transition.

The final problem is one that I was concerned with. As it turns out, there was no need. As you go through the IC program, they are very much aware of the stringency of an engineering program. For this reason, the "Physics with Engineering" program is evaluated on an outside scale, and it is one that they keep up with admirably. The professors make sure to use the same pace as engineering schools, to ensure the integrity of the program and the future success of their students.

Going to IC you get all the benefits of going to an engineering school (as you will be in 3 short years), but you get the added pleasure of learning in an environment designed to teach every student as much as possible, not in an environment designed to "weed out" the poor students. IC's program is perfect for students who need a little bit more support and instruction early on, but can learn to excel individually. I think this can apply to just about every 1st year engineering student. If that is not the case, MIT is probably where you are headed. This is all combined with the idea that you're still learning the same information, and then some.

Yes, I know, if you are learning the same info, what's the point... right? Well the point is that you get to also enjoy classes in speech, art, english, and one of my favorites (seriously), philosophy, and many more. You are not just taking these general education requirements from some part time professor who just teaches sociology to those who have to take it... no! You are being taught by the same professors who teach the men and women at IC who will become professional sociologists or artists, or any other 'ists'. That's a big deal. You also get to lead groups, play sports, and emerse yourself into the very same culture, traditions, and ideals that the colleges of this country were founded upon.

That's a big deal, too.

I hope my point is not mistaken to mean that people who can't "hack it" at an engineering school go to IC first. That is completely incorrect. What I mean is that IC allows students to be blessed with the opportunity to taught on an individual level, which makes a huge difference in the quality of education. It has been my opinion that the students who have come from IC have been equal to, and in most cases, ahead of the students from the engineering schools. We have a better focus and understanding on ideas and solutions beyond the text book formulas and cheat sheets, and we have mastered the art of doing a lot of different, interdisciplinary tasks (Liberal Arts!) while still being able to solve problems quickly and systemically.

And if that's not your view on how an engineer works, then maybe IC is not the best option.

Joe