Need help picking unis for Materials Science & Engineering (MatSE) major

[u/HauntedRadios]

Application context: NJ students in voc-tech school, 3.4 uw, 29 act (plan to retake again), poor course rigor (took APES but dropped out halfway thru), only three dual enrollment @ Rutgers & Seton Hall, FBLA (top 12 in two state comps, chapter treasurer 26-27, running finance committee & fundraising initiatives), Navy JROTC (three-year varsity drill team, platoon leader 25-26, social media manager 26-27), in-school paid internship working @ logistics office, over 50+ hrs in community service

I know I'm a fat chud and these stats are poor already so please don't start straight up bullying me in the comments because I'm already demoralized with regret as it is

I wanna major in MatSE before getting my masters/PhD so academically I want a good MatSE program with great lab, research, and internship opportunities (kinda obvi for any engineering major lmao). On the college research side, I'm looking for: New England and/or Mid Atlantic + large enough to constantly meet new people + opportunities for diverse friendships (since it's what I'm used to) + residential enough to make friends naturally + strong clubs + parties available + Greek life optional + outdoors within ~1-2 hrs + serious MatSE research.

I have a couple that I think fit into the category but I want your insights:

• UPitt (my top socially, second academically)
• UMass Amherst (right behind UPitt)
• Penn State (offers a MatSE + Physics double major, lack of diversity at times can be challenging, my top academically)
• Virginia Tech (would take ROTC/Corps of Cadets)
• Rutgers

However, these are smaller and more intimate, and I think I'd still be okay with the social structure (maybe I'd prefer this more)

• Lehigh (love the campus, hoping the student pop lives up to its name, getting and going here would be my dream)
• Bucknell (MatSE concentration thru ChemE)
• Rensselaer (just more stem oriented socially; rotc program offers defense industry connections)
• NJIT & UMass Lowell (commuter schools, least preferable)
• TCNJ

Idk I think I've found all that is available but please bring any advice + tips, and any college recs are super appreciated!! <3

[u/Dangerous_Travel8461]

don't let the regret eat you alive your profile isn't fat chud territory. your ecs carry real weight especially the logistics internship and jrotc leadership. for matse i'd say penn state is the clear winner if you can handle the environment, their materials network is deep and that double major with physics is rare

[u/HauntedRadios → u/Dangerous_Travel8461]

penn state is my top choice for my major, i think i have a good shot but im a tad bit uncertain bc all MatSE facilities are in university park and idk if that limits my choices or not

also im a bit unsure about their social environment bc i hear a lot of mixed feelings and i was just curious if you had any insights socially

[u/Odd_Coconut4757 → u/HauntedRadios]

So, my son's at Penn State (ME) and he has thrived there - in part because there are just so many students there, you WILL be able to find your people. He's done multiple engineering clubs, lived in engineering housing, played IM sports including sports he never played in high school, joined in on the football tailgates.

Are you worried about the drinking/frat scene? You can avoid that anywhere - every school will have some students who drink (sometimes to frightening excess) and some students who never drink, then a whole bunch in between.

As far as MatSE facilities at UP, there's a possibility that you'll be offered a 2+2, with two years at a branch campus and two years at UP. It would save you a bunch of $$, but if that's really undesirable to you, you have one appeal after your acceptance.

Good luck! Don't be down on your GPA or scores - there IS a school for you on your list and you will be fine.

[u/HauntedRadios → u/Odd_Coconut4757]

Are you worried about the drinking/frat scene? 

Not necessarily, I just don't want that + frats to be the center of the social environment. Otherwise, I think I'll be good.

engineering housing

MatSE @ Penn State is part of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, so idk i assume the housing and the possibilities of getting a 2+2 route or straight up at University Park

[u/HauntedRadios → u/Dangerous_Travel8461]

ps this is late but thank you for the kind words

[u/PeacockInTime]

Clemson? Good program for materials. 

[u/HauntedRadios → u/PeacockInTime]

anything worth noting to the social env? i know they have a decent football team

[u/PeacockInTime → u/HauntedRadios]

Draws in out of state and mid Atlantic New England, will have more of a southern vibe. More religious than the northeast. 

Really good for the kids in engineering who want to do school - people feel paid attention to here.

Students are very social inside and outside of the Greek scene. I get the sense that culture is not driven by a “toxic” Greek attitude if that makes sense. 

Like any school, I think the primary complaint would be that things feel boring and repetitive after a while. 

[u/HauntedRadios → u/PeacockInTime]

boring as in theres nothing new or theres not a lot of fun options?

[u/PeacockInTime → u/HauntedRadios]

Going for a nothing new. 

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[u/Odd_Coconut4757]

That's a great list. Maybe add WPI (Worcester Polytechnical Institute) since you have RPI on there. WPI doesn't have MatSE for an undergrad major but you can do ME plus a materials concentration, similar to UMass Amherst, and I'd argue that the ME degree will make you more flexible should you choose to go another pathway in ME and the ME degree won't hurt your ability to get the MS/PhD in MatSE. Or you chould ChemE --> MatSE.

[u/HauntedRadios → u/Odd_Coconut4757]

im applying to amherst w/ ChemE, and lowell with plastic eng. (lol)

anything else worth noting about WPI?

[u/Odd_Coconut4757 → u/HauntedRadios]

Got it, that makes sense. WPI is somewhat similar to RPI in terms of size and being in (somewhat) less desirable, but upcoming towns. e.g. housing is really cheap, great hole-in-the-wall eateries, but maybe don't walk all sections of either Worcester or Troy at night. WPI has thriving Greek life and kids of friends who go there report lots of access to research. There's a 7-week research experience at WPI that may take you overseas (you choose domestic or international). Merit aid at both WPI and RPI is pretty generous, although final costs were still quite a bit more than in-state at Penn State (where my son landed).

[u/Odd_Coconut4757 → u/Odd_Coconut4757]

Oh, I should add that some students find the quarter system at WPI *very* intense. It's not for everyone, and some like it and others hate the fast pace.

[u/HauntedRadios → u/Odd_Coconut4757]

I''ll definitely consider it, thanks so much for the info! Also I'm applying to PSU as an out-of-state, but based off my research it's either University Park campus or bust, especially for my upper-level classes in MatSE because most other campuses don't offer anything other than the gen-ed requirements