Expert: Paul Soderman - 2/19/2008

Question
QUESTION: Dear Mr. Soderman,
I am currently enrolled in a top Aviation school in Florida and the cost is absolutely killing me. I have heard that, out in the field it doesn't really matter where one obtains his/her bachelor degree in Aerospace Engineering from, only the Masters holds some weight. If that's true, then it's possible I am just committing economic suicide (so to speak) staying in this school, despite the fact that it has the top Aerospace Engineering program in the US. Would you be able to shed some light on my concerns? Thank you.

Regards,

Mona

ANSWER: Mona
I think that is basically true - a good solid bachelor degree can be obtained from many engineering schools around the country.  An M.S. from a good program would count much higher than the best B.S. degree.  In fact, it is possible to get a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and pick up the aeronautics in graduate school, though I got aeronautics in both undergraduate and graduate schools and was glad I did.  One of the best engineers I worked with found his school on the back of a match book cover.  It is learning how to study and use critical thinking that is important when getting started.  

Incidentally, I didn't know the top Aerospace Engineering program was in Florida.  I would have guessed Massachusetts or California or Washington state, but that is just my personal experience.
Good luck.
Paul

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your prompt reply. As for my school, it was rated (studies by some report)top specifically in the Aerospace Engineering program. I'm sure MIT, Virginia Tech and Rensselaer Tech also have excellent programs.That is just from my own somewhat limited research. What schools would you suggest for an M.S program, and why is it you are glad to have both a B.S and M.S degree in aeronautics?

Answer
Mona
The choice of school is a very personal thing that includes not only the excellence and reputation of the faculty and program, but the ambience.  Where would you like to spend a year or more of your life - in some big city or a small college town with a nice campus.  The choice is yours alone.  As for reputation, I like the U.S. News list:

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/eng/b

though I am biased enough to rate my alma mater - U. of Washington much higher, which has an excellent program because of the proximity to Boeing, partly.  Not all those schools listed have aero engineering of course.  The good ones that come to mind based on the engineers I worked with are MIT, Stanford, U. of Washington, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, U. of Maryland, Penn State, Iowa State, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Florida A&M, Cal Poly, Cal Tech, and many more that I have forgotten.

I was fortunate to be able to study aero in both undergraduate and graduate schools because of the excellent classes offered at U. of Washington in both departments.  As an undergrad I got to study aerodynamics, flight mechanics, jet propulsion, aircraft design, flight testing (which probably isn't offered anymore because of the liability of taking students up in small airplanes), and more.  Check the course offerings of the schools of interest.
Paul