Engineering/Running

Cal Poly SLO?

NC State

Uh, ever heard of Stanford? I think they have a pretty good running program and engineering's not too shabby either.

NC State University

University of Minnesota & University of Wisconsin, Madison

The Big Ten has good engineering programs in general, and most have decent or good cross country programs also.

Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin

Purdue, Illinois are great engineering programs, but not tops in the country when it comes to XC

Stanford's the obvious one.

Others:

-Wisconsin

-Michigan

-Texas

penn state for sure

Don't forget Cornell.

However, try to find the program that will be the best fit for you.

I also must say this: Think very hard and for a long time on whether or not engineering is really what you want. Do it because you know you'll love it. Never do it just because you have aptitude for it. Also, don't do it for the money. There are easier ways to make the money that engineers make. Try to learn as much about it as you can, talk to a lot of engineers, and make up your own mind trying to exclude as much outside pressure as you can(i.e., what you may think people want you to be).

I am not an engineer but a mathematician and I've spent a good part of my career working with engineers. I tested very highly for engineering myself when I was in h.s., but just ended up not going into it (I still think about being one sometimes too--having a second career, even though I'm nearing age 50).

Engineers, as a group, are not always the happiest people. I can't stand how most of them are counting the years, months, weeks, day, hours, and minutes until they can retire. I'd shoot myself.

Generally, they are salaried and don't get paid for overtime--which can really chap your hide after a while. Christmas bonuses are generally outstanding.

Anyway, I'm sure you're smart or you wouldn't be looking at engineering. There are lots of ways to put your intellect and your creativity to good use besides engineering if it's not truly for you. Think, think, think. Make sure it's what you want.

Much good luck to you.

Just a note. Mathematicians - also salaried, also losers.

mines

dont believe this guy, he's just a jealous dork, i know plenty of engineers who are very happy, very welled payed and not nearly overworked.

This list is not appropriate since most runners at these schools are not studying engineering, a good running/engineering school needs to have good runners studying engineering

If you are looking for a small school, Case Western and Ohio Northern University have solid running programs at the Division III level.

Big John wrote:

Just a note. Mathematicians - also salaried, also losers.

HEY!

That was uncalled-for.

Kafka, I love your post because I really relate to what you're talking about.

I feel that I got pressured into studying engineering in university. After two years I decided I hated it and went into math.

One of the best moves of my life.

My grades went way up, and I started to enjoy school again.

I find it alot easier to put alot of effort into math than into anything I did in engineering (aside from the odd math course that was offered), simply because I truly enjoy math.

I was already studying math recreationally, so by moving into math I basically turned one of my favourite hobbies into my official field of expertise.

So, I'll just echo your sentiments and advise anyone who is trying to choose their path to think and make sure what they end up choosing is something that they truly enjoy.

i am not an engineer, but i know engineers who absolutely rave about bucknell. the program is one of the best in the nation and it is still a small school environment. the running program is good, not great talent-wise, but they always have some guys who do well in a variety of events. their track team has been beating army or navy at many of their league championships lately. seems like a good place.

colorado school of mines is a badass engineering school and their getting to be a good running school, almost everyone studies engineering

Yeah our track teams up and coming talent wise, we are starting to get good recruits, and the coach kevin donner is a really good coach.

dropped my 800 time from high school 2:01 to sub 1:54 by junior year.

Im a ME and i love the engineering program too, definitely one of the best in the nation.

Thank you for the support, icanrelate. My post was not to put down engineers. Quite the contrary--I still sometimes think about going back to school to become one. I guess it's a fantasy that helps me feel young.

I just meant that one should go into it with a true heart and for the right reasons.

I'll also add this: If I were to studying engineering, I'd think very seriously about Olin College. They have no sports teams at all--zip! They're officially in Needham, Mass, but their campus is right next to the Boston College campus. They also usually place first under Princeton Review's "Their Students Never Seem to Stop Studying.

They offer only a handful of engineering degrees, with strong emphasis between engineering, science, math, and machine shop (to keep their education practical). All learning is team based, project based, and interdisciplinary in nature. Students take exams on their own time and are allowed to use outside resources to complete their exams.

Olin College is not easy to get into to (because it's small), but everyone who's accepted gets a full scholarship. You'll have to run on your own time, but when you graduate you'll be the best damn 22-year-old engineer in the country.