Is UMass Lowell a good choice for engineering?

I'm interested in pursuing engineering, and I've heard UMass Lowell has solid programs. Does anyone have experience with their engineering faculty and resources? Would love to hear pros and cons from current students or alumni.

UMass Lowell is indeed known for having strong engineering programs, particularly in areas such as Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Civil Engineering. One of the main advantages of UMass Lowell's College of Engineering is its state-of-the-art facilities and labs, which can provide hands-on experience with the latest technology.

One distinguishing feature of UMass Lowell is their Cooperative Education (co-op) program, which gives students an opportunity to have on-the-job experience in engineering firms. Many students find this extremely valuable, not just for the practical experience, but also because it can help establish professional connections and often leads to job offers after graduation.

As for faculty, UMass Lowell's instructors have a mix of both academic and industry backgrounds, giving students a good balance of theoretical and applied learning. This is an advantage for students who like to learn not only the abstract concepts, but also their real-world applications.

However, every school has its downsides, and at UMass Lowell, it can be larger class sizes, especially in gateway courses. This means you may have to be proactive in seeking out help and establishing relationships with your professors.

In conclusion, UMass Lowell can be a good choice for engineering if you value a program with robust hands-on learning opportunities, a co-op program, and faculty with real industry experience. As always, you should visit the campus (if possible), speak with current students and professors, and evaluate the program based on what you feel will work best for you. Remember, what makes a program "good" can be highly subjective and depends largely on personal fit.