I'm a high school junior interested in studying engineering, and I might start at community college in Illinois. Does anyone have suggestions for the top community colleges with strong engineering programs here?
There are several excellent community colleges in Illinois with solid engineering programs that you may want to consider.
College of DuPage, located in Glen Ellyn, is one such community college with a strong engineering program. It offers Pre-Engineering associate degrees with various concentration areas such as Chemical, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering.
Harper College in Palatine also offers an Associate in Engineering Science degree, and the program includes strong foundational courses in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics.
Oakton Community College in Des Plaines offers both an Engineering pathway and an Associate in Engineering Science degree. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to transition into 4-year institutions' engineering programs.
Lastly, Joliet Junior College provides very good foundational coursework for Engineering, which could transfer to a variety of four-year programs in the state.
Just keep in mind that transfer agreements and the specific courses that would best prepare you for a four-year program can vary depending on where you plan to apply after community college, so I'd advise meeting with an academic advisor once you've narrowed down your options. They will be able to guide you in the right direction based on your unique goals and circumstances.
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