College Prep Content

College Preparation

Interested in engineering? Want to keep your options open…
Here is some useful information for the future engineer (or even fence-sitter):

A. FOUR WAYS TO GIVE YOURSELF A HEAD START BEFORE COLLEGE
B. BUYING A COMPUTER - ADVISE TO THE WISE
C. A HEADS UP ON HOUSING

FOUR WAYS TO GIVE YOURSELF
A HEAD START BEFORE COLLEGE
1. Take as much math and science as you can.
Most of the nonscience and nonmath classes that the National Society of Professional Engineers recommends for future engineers are the same classes required to receive your high school diploma:
Four years of English.
Three years of social studies.
One to two years of arts or humanities.
Two to three years of foreign languages.
So you've already got that covered!

To like engineering, you don't necessarily have to like math or the sciences, but you should be confident in your ability to think analytically and solve problems.

To receive a bachelor's degree, engineering students must complete at least all math classes up to and including Differential Equations. To reach Differential Equations, you must complete Algebra I and II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus I, II , and III (differential calculus, integral calculus, multivariable calculus, respectively). Some schools also require classes in Linear Algebra and Statistics. Fortunately or unfortunately (depending on how much you have paid attention in math class), the material taught in your required math classes is frequently used to explain engineering derivations, laws, proofs, and problem sets. Trig functions become second nature to the engineering student.
All engineers must have a good grounding in the sciences: physics, chemistry, and, depending on your major, biology. The better you understand these subjects before going into college, the better prepared you will be to handle the accelerated pace of your college professors.

2. Get as many advanced placement (AP) credits under your belt in the arts, humanities, and social sciences as possible.
Of course, all AP credits are an asset. If your goal is to get your degree in the shortest amount of time possible, then use all your AP credits to get ahead. But if you know you have four or five years to complete your degree, then go ahead and take the standard introductory science and math classes offered to engineering students at your university. The reasons for doing this are quite simple. First, most of the students in your classes will be premed, science majors, or other engineers; thus, the material focuses on the subject areas that will best prepare you for your engineering education in the following years. Second, many students who opt to "retake" math and science classes find that these courses cover useful, unfamiliar material and with little work also pad their first semester report card very nicely.
On the other hand, filling up your arts and humanities requirements with advanced placement credits gives you room in your schedule to enroll in more interesting free electives (The Beatles and Beethoven! Windsurfing!) that may be unique to your university.

3. If you know you need to catch up in a subject or area, try to do so before you go to college.
Maybe you aren't fully confident in your math ability or perhaps you were a few painful points short of the minimum on your college placement exam to get into a required English class. Don't waste precious free electives taking the remedial classes at university to get caught up-check out a grammar guide from your local library or take a prep class at the community college; then retake the placement exam. Many community colleges and high schools have evening classes and accelerated summer classes that are perfect cram courses for instilling academic confidence. A strong start at university is more than good grades; it also establishes self-assurance in your academic abilities.

4. Consider any high school electives that might give a glimpse of engineering.
Universities tend to make the baseline assumption that their freshmen students have had only high school-level math (Analytical Geometry, Trig, and Pre-Calc) and science (Physics, Chem, and Bio). Many high schools hope to better prepare students for college and industry by offering classes in Engineering Technology, Machine Shop, and Computer Programming. Classes like these and others give you a jump-start with exposure to the terms, processes, and methodologies that you will encounter as an engineering student.

BUYING A COMPUTER-ADVICE TO THE WISE
You're thinking about purchasing a computer and aren't really sure exactly what model you might need compared with the model your older sister (the history major) has, whether you need a computer at all, and, if so, how to begin to start the search. First things first, you'll need to do a little research.

Four Questions for the Potential Computer Purchaser
1. DO YOU REALLY NEED A COMPUTER?
Purchasing a computer is a huge endeavor in terms of time and money spent. To determine if you will need a personal computer for your personal use in your own personal space, consider the following: What are the campus computing facilities like? You can figure that out by asking even more questions:
Q: How many computer labs are located on campus?
Q: Where are they located (i.e., how close to your living quarters)?
Q: How early do the computer labs open? Are they open all night? (This is important!)
Q: Are printers readily accessible? Is printing free or are there printing charges?
Q: Do all of the labs have engineering software locally or accessible through links?
Q: Are computers generally available or are there frequent waiting lists to get on to one?
Q: Does the guy who works in the computer lab recommend that you buy your own computer?
Q: How tight are your finances?
If you don't already have an engineering contact (your brother's girlfriend's cousin's roommate counts) at your chosen university, find the computer center (it might be called Center for Computing Resources, Computer & Network Services, Computer Help Desk, etc.). Call computer center information line, look for a web site, or drop in on a computer lab when visiting the campus and look for the brochure or an odd-colored xeroxed handout titled something like "Computing at your University."
Indeed, you have much to think about. To make it a bit easier (or harder), some of the pros and cons in making the decision to take a computer home or to call the computer lab home are given in the following tables.

YOU ARE MONOGAMOUS: A COMPUTER TO CALL YOUR OWN

The Good The Bad The Ugly

Always Available. Still have to buy software. The price

Can work anytime: day or night. It loses value.

Not at mercy of lab hours, problems, rules, noise. Something else to move at the end of the year.

It's in your room, not 10 minutes away. Maintenance is your responsiblilty.

Have choices. You still have to go to the lab for certain assignments anyway.

Can check E-mail and do research on the Web from home.

YOU ARE POLYGAMOUS: A LABFUL TO LOVE

The Good The Bad The Ugly

Cost covered by tuition. Even though a computer is available, a software license my not be. Lab is full when you badly need a computer.

Lab monitors can help with problems. No control over noise and distraction level. Lab may not be open 24 hours.

Everything you need is there. Can take forever to print.

High quality printers.

The question really is: Who wouldn't own a computer if they were free? Most students don't own a computer because it is simply too expensive. And don't forget once you buy the computer, you still have to purchase software, printer, paper, ink cartridges, modem, school-emblazoned mouse pad, aaghh! Below are ways to hang onto your arm and leg.

· Buy a used computer! Check signs around campus and the student paper.
· Shop smart-compare more than the price. When considering the various prices of brand-spankin'-new computers, also compare the software packages that would be included with your purchase. How good is the technical support? If you really have time, head for the library and look up individual computer ratings in back issues of consumer magazines (such as Consumer Reports) and computer magazines. Surf the web or net bulletin boards to find out how happy other owners are.
· You don't have to buy a printer. Most universities are networked well enough so that you can send a document to a lab printer over ethernet from your room. If your dorm isn't wired, take files on a disk to print out at the lab on the way to class.
· Software is expensive, BUT there are (1) freeware, (2) shareware, and (3) student editions available. You can get an operating system for free these days (check out Red Hat's Linux!). To investigate your possibilities - search the web. For getting student editions, remember to take your student I.D. -- you will probably be asked to show it!

For freeware and shareware -- software companies offering free (or low charge) software tend to make their money from technical support and the sale of operating manuals - take note of technical support procedures and your own capital investment in manuals.

· Start with the basics. Besides the box, monitor, keyboard, and a few cords, the only other necessary add-ons are a mouse and modem or ethernet capabilities, and they are probably already included.
· How cheap is your university computer store? University computer stores and bookstores are a good place to buy software (student versions), but they are not usually the cheapest places to purchase computers (think about how much you pay for textbooks!). Instead, head for the magazine rack or computer lab to purchase a computer a computer by mail or over the web. If you want to be able to take your new toy home that night, check out price/warehouse clubs for good deals.

If you are still undecided about purchasing a computer, see how the first semester goes without your own computer. It will become evident fairly quickly whether or not you should purchase one.

Buying a used computer is like buying a car. Bill (Gates, if you need a last name) wants to sell you his used computer. How much did he pay when he bought it new? Why is he selling it? How much did he use it? What for? Does it have a name it likes to go by? Crash a lot? (Any physical signs of possible abuse?) Did it ever have to be repaired? Has the computer ever gotten a virus? Is the software included in the price? Great! Could I get the manuals and software licensing agreements too, please? (Note: It is illegal to sell a computer with software on it unless the original CD-ROM or disks, manuals, and license agreement are included.)

2. Is your university's engineering school mostly PC or Mac compatible?
Once you decide to purchase a computer, this is where you start. Then already you've narrowed the field by half. If you have an ambidextrous campus, consider the following:

Marvelous Macs versus Pleasing PCs

Marvelous Macs Pleasing PCs

Power Macs can read both PC and Mac files. More often used in industry.

Better for graphical/video applications. Greater software availablilty (games, hareware from the Web, back-of-the-text software).

Tends to be more user friendly. Faster for you money.

Tends to crash more often.

3. How much space do you have in your dorm room and car?
Undoubtedly not very much. Should you look for a laptop rather than a desktop computer?

Laptops versus Desktops

Laptops Desktops

Can travel. Larger monitor.

Takes up much less room. Better keyboard (laptops usually don't have a number pad).

Can hook up to another computer. Less likely to get banged up.

Can travel. Better sound.

Add-ons. Cheaper for memory and speed.

Need to find electrical outlet if working for sufficient amount of time. Batteries do not last very long.

Can keep adding memory cards.

More likely to be stolen.

Terrible ergonomics for working long hours. .

4. Will you be using your computer for anything besides the normal academic and Internet applications (e.g., any plans or aspirations to work on the yearbook staff or become dormitory president)?
This becomes a question of how much hard drive memory will be enough to store standard application programs, games (of course!), bland engineering programs from the back of textbooks, and the desktop publisher needed for the yearbook committee or campaign signs. While external drives such as Zip or Jazz drives may be good solutions, having the memory in your computer is always more convenient. This is the sorts'o'softwares you will be looking at:

Software you will need
Word processing with an equation editor: for example, Microsoft Word or Corel Word Perfect
Spreadsheet program: for example, Excel, Lotus, Quattro Pro
Desktop organizer
Network browser: for example, Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer
Disk recovery software

Software you should wait and see to purchase
Virus protection (many universities have site licenses that includes students' computers).
Math programs: for example, Matlab, Mathematica, Mathcad, Maple
Any extra plotting programs
Modeling/Sketching/CAD program
Any extra statistical analysis programs
Any computer codes, compilers, and so on

Other programs you will also accumulate
Games
Programs that various professors convince you are essential
Back-of-the-textbook programs
Goofy things you've downloaded from the Web

So school stuff alone eats up a lot of storage. When you have a choice between two or more equivalent programs, consider how much disk space will be taken up with each.

How About a Printer to Go with That Computer?
A printer is also a good thing to own. You can print and edit a paper as many times as you'd like without having to queue up in the lab or even having to walk to it. It is convenient. It is relatively cheap. The big drawback of course is that the printer you purchase will most likely not be a laser printer, which is more expensive, heavier, and usually larger than a standard inkjet printer. Besides, you will have to run over to the lab on a few occasions anyway to print out final reports or highly detailed plots when laser quality is required. Just so you know.

If purchasing a printer, pick one that is:
· Easy to maintain. Load paper in slot and forget about it until you run out of paper again.
· Sleeping-roommate friendly. Quiet, that is. You will be printing assignments and such during the wee hours of the morning.
· Easily refillable. Your printer should use standard ink cartridges carried by the university bookstore. Always have an extra ink cartridge on hand; don't wait until the imminent cartridge death stripes show up.
· Compact enough. Remember your accommodations.

A HEADS-UP ON HOUSING
On-campus university housing is usually run as a lottery: You submit your ranked list of residence choices, cross your fingers, and wait to be notified how lucky (or unlucky) you are. Below are just a few things to consider when the time comes to find housing or finalize your preferred dorm list:
· If you are bringing a computer with a modem or ethernet, try to snag a room with high-speed data hookup lines. Older dorms are often not wired for this.
· If you aren't bringing a computer, how close is the closest computer lab? Is there one in your dorm? Or will you have to trek across campus?
· How close are the science labs and libraries? Some evening laboratory classes are not finished until well after dark. Besides the important issues of safety and possible hypothermia in winter, how far do you want to walk or bike home?
· If living on campus is not an option, you may have other considerations such as transportation, parking (how close and how expensive), traffic, and proximity to engineering buildings.
However, whether you will be residing on campus or off, you will save time and effort if you allow yourself as much access as possible to your school and its resources.

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The Good	The Bad	The Ugly
Always Available.	Still have to buy software.	The price
Can work anytime: day or night.	It loses value.
Not at mercy of lab hours, problems, rules, noise.	Something else to move at the end of the year.
It's in your room, not 10 minutes away.	Maintenance is your responsiblilty.
Have choices.	You still have to go to the lab for certain assignments anyway.
Can check E-mail and do research on the Web from home.

Marvelous Macs	Pleasing PCs
Power Macs can read both PC and Mac files.	More often used in industry.
Better for graphical/video applications.	Greater software availablilty (games, hareware from the Web, back-of-the-text software).
Tends to be more user friendly.	Faster for you money.
Tends to crash more often.

Laptops	Desktops
Can travel.	Larger monitor.
Takes up much less room.	Better keyboard (laptops usually don't have a number pad).
Can hook up to another computer.	Less likely to get banged up.
Can travel.	Better sound.
Add-ons.	Cheaper for memory and speed.
Need to find electrical outlet if working for sufficient amount of time. Batteries do not last very long.	Can keep adding memory cards.
More likely to be stolen.
Terrible ergonomics for working long hours. .