Chapter 1: Scanning the Horizon

You Can’t Stop After High School

The World of Technology

Training vs. Education

Particular Benefits of a Four-Year Engineering Degree

Going Boldly: Your Quest for an Engineering Degree

How to Use This Book

Chapter 2: Understanding Engineering and Engineering Education

What Professional Engineers Do: The Technical World of Work

People and Places

Overview of Engineering Education

The Goals of Engineering Education

What Engineering Students Do at College

What Engineering Students Don’t Do at College

Undecided? Engineering Might Be the Best Place to Start

The Basic Enrollment Choices

Chapter 3: Academic Differences Among Engineering Programs

Availability of Individual Engineering Programs

Accreditation

Measures of Quality of Undergraduate Instruction

Teaching Policies and Practice

Academic Advising

Introductory Engineering Courses

Current Undergraduate Initiatives

Learning Communities

Honors Programs

Four-Year Guarantees

Chapter 4: Non-Academic Differences Among Engineering Programs

Student Organizations and Leadership Opportunities

Study Abroad Opportunities

Co-ops and Internships

Career Services

Residence Hall Programming

Research Opportunities

Required Laptop Computer Programs

Measures of Student Engagement

Chapter 5: What Color Is Your Calculator?

What You Need to Know About Engineering Disciplines

Engineering Functions vs. Engineering Disciplines

What Kind of Engineer?

When to Choose an Engineering Discipline

How to Choose an Academic Engineering Discipline

Chapter 6: How Your High School Career Relates to Your Engineering Education

Credit Mania: AP, IB, and More

What is a Credit?

College Credit Earned in High School

Credit Utility

Practical Education

High School Extracurriculars

The SAT and ACT: Evaluating Your Aptitude and Achievement

Chapter 7: Choosing Where to Apply

Money for College

College Rankings and You

Reality Check: The Best Schools Sometimes Produce Mediocre Engineers

Choosing Where to Apply: Compiling Your Short List

Using Internet Resources to Shorten Your List

To How Many Places Should You Apply?

Chapter 8: Applying For College Admission and Scholarships

Why Are All Those Universities Sending Me Mail?

Applying: Making Yourself Stand Out in a Crowd—In a Good Way!

Teacher Recommendations

What About Scholarships?

What to Expect After You Apply

The Mixed Blessing of Late Acceptance

Chapter 9: Planning Your Campus Visits

When to Make Campus Visits? . . . Take Your Time!

What to Do Before You Visit

What to Expect From Your Campus Visits

Speaking to Parents: Your Role in Campus Visits

Chapter 10: What to Ask on Your Campus Visits

Academics

Student Organizations

Study Abroad Opportunities

Co-ops and Internships

Career Services

Residence Hall Programming

Research Opportunities

Measures of Student Engagement

Questions to Ask Current Students

Chapter 11: What to Look For on Your Campus Visits

Getting There is Half the Fun

The Campus Tour: A Performance Art Form

Campus Personality

Checking Out the Student Body

Chapter 12: Debriefing After Each Campus Visit

General Impressions

Attractive Features

Red Flags

Impressions of the Student Body

Keep Building that Spreadsheet

Chapter 13: Evaluating Your Visits and Weighing Your Options

Parents: Your Role in this Family Decision

Guidance from Decision Science

Your Final Decision Checklist

The Worst College Choice Possible

Chapter 14: After You Have Decided

Celebrate!

Take Action

Prepare Yourself for Academic Success

Chapter 15: Off to College: What to Expect

Orientation

Ten Ways You’ll Know You Aren’t in High School Anymore

Special Encouragement for Female Engineering Students

Choice and Opportunity

Your First Exam

Interacting With Your Old High School Friends

Keeping Your Parents from Freaking Out

The Ultimate College Challenge: Finding Balance

Appendix A: Additional Resources

Appendix B: Engineering Programs That Want Your Attention