[Qwackertoo]

I’m thinking of Georgia Tech for my 16 yr. old daughter who is aiming high for Chemical Engineering. #31 on the list although we’d be out-of-state unless we could manage to get that waived. That vs. CalTech or MIT, I think Georgia Tech is a good bargain for your buck.

http://www.payscale.com/education/average-cost-for-college-ROI

[exhaustguy]

What kind of ACT/grades do you need for Engineering at Georgia Tech? Also, does the Georgia Hope scholarship actually cover most of the in state tution? We have a facility in Georgia that might be tempting as my daughter’s approach High School graduation.

My fourteen year old is playing with the idea of being an engineer (Biomedical in her case) just like her old man (Mechanical in my case). I am not sure that I would advise her that way, but she would make a heck of an engineer (also a vet or a doctor).

My youngest is set on Med School. I have already told her to start thinking Armed Forces Medical Scholarship - it is a great way to go.

[RochesterFan]

I am pleased that your daughter is considering a Chem E. degree. I would highly recommend the book Higher Education? by Andrew Hacker. Prof. Hacker chronicles the abuses at many research universities where the faculty spend most of their time chasing grants and publications and most teaching duties are relegated to adjunct faculty and teaching assistants. Hacker also chronicles some key schools that actually emphasize teaching and the difference that makes in the career paths of their graduates.

You really want to visit your daughter's top three choices and meet some undergraduate students in the Chem E. department. Take a couple to dinner and get them to talk about what worked and what didn't. Ask them to tell you about their job/grad school opportunities and the experiences of their class mates. It will be a great investment.