I am looking to major in Nuclear Engineering

[Haindi]

What colleges should I apply to for nuclear engineering? Also is going to graduate school fjjor nuclear engineering worth the cost?

 

[Thermalne]

If you are looking for nuclear engineering colleges a quick google search is good, but this wikipedia listing is pretty accurate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclea...lleges_and_universities_in_the_United_States/ . I'd highly avoid schools that do not have a full bachelors degree program in nuclear engineering. A minor in nuclear engineering is always hit or miss.

Most nuclear engineering graduate programs fully fund PhD and some masters students so there isn't really a cost unless you are doing just a non-thesis masters.

 

[Haindi]

I am thinking of Idaho State, Oregon State, Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, or Colorado School of Mines. I saw that Mines did not offer a bachelors in Nuclear Engineering, so that probably isn't the one for undergraduates.

 

[Thermalne]

I am thinking of Idaho State, Oregon State, Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, or Colorado School of Mines. I saw that Mines did not offer a bachelors in Nuclear Engineering, so that probably isn't the one for undergraduates.

Just curious, why those schools?

 

[Haindi]

They are closest to my current location where my family is, in Washington State. What schools do you recommend?

 

[Thermalne]

They are closest to my current location where my family is, in Washington State. What schools do you recommend?

How critical is it that you live near your family? RPI is in New York btw.

 

[Haindi]

I don't think it is a major factor for me personally, if there are better colleges with Nuclear Engineering then by all means let me know.

 

[Thermalne]

I don't think it is a major factor for me personally, if there are better colleges with Nuclear Engineering then by all means let me know.

Since that's the case... I'd recommend Oregon State University, Texas A&M University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Purdue University, and the others on this list: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankings...ineering-schools/nuclear-engineering-rankings.

These are all pretty good schools, but I'd look up the programs themselves and see if their programs seem to fit you. Also, try and avoid schools with less than 7 assistant/associate/full professors in the nuclear engineering program itself. Anything less is usually indicative of an unhealthy program and lacking undergraduate research and other opportunities. Also, make sure you actually like the city/state you end up in. Some of these schools might be in areas you will not be personally happy to live in.

 

[Haindi]

Oregon State University I believe is my number one choice so far. But if I am going to OSU for my undergrad stuff, I can switch universities for graduate degrees, right? Also the DOD scholarship, if I took that would that limit my opportunities for graduate work?

 

[Thermalne]

Oregon State University I believe is my number one choice so far. But if I am going to OSU for my undergrad stuff, I can switch universities for graduate degrees, right? Also the DOD scholarship, if I took that would that limit my opportunities for graduate work?

I know a few people at OSU and I'm really impressed with their program. You are not required to go to the same school for all of your degrees. In fact, in some cases having all your degrees from the same place is frowned upon and potentially not as useful as having gone to different schools for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Also, can you be more specific about the scholarship? Just saying DoD isn't very specific.

 

[Haindi]

The DoD scholarship is a scholarship from the government that pays for your college tuition for x years you choose to attend. The student then gets a job out of college working for the DoD (required to work for the same x years). The work is after college of course.

 

[Thermalne]

Are you referring to the http://smart.asee.org/?

 

[Haindi]

Ah, yes that is it. I wasn't sure of the name sorry, but that is the scholarship I was referring to.

 

[Thermalne]

I'd highly recommend you look for other funding sources for your undergraduate degree. If you receive that scholarship you won't be able to do your graduate work directly after your undergraduate degree.

 

[Haindi]

The question then is: Do you recommend I pursue a graduate degree in nuclear engineering?

 

[Thermalne]

The question then is: Do you recommend I pursue a graduate degree in nuclear engineering?

That's entirely dependent on what you want to do in life.

 

[Haindi]

How would getting a graduates degree in NE change my perspective future in that field as opposed to going with only a bachelors?

 

[Thermalne]

How would getting a graduates degree in NE change my perspective future in that field as opposed to going with only a bachelors?

It will give you the minimum qualifications needed for different opportunities than someone with a bachelors degree. A Masters provides more depth than breadth of content in the field and basic researching skills. A PhD provides the super specialization in a subset of the field and proper training in managing and conducting research projects.