Might transfer to ASU, anyone here from Arizona? [Archive]

akotten

10-18-2010, 04:06 AM

So like the title says, I might, well actually I'm rather dedicated to the the idea of transferring to ASU to continue my mechanical engineering degree. Anyone here from the Phoenix area? What's your opinion of the area, and what is there to do for a college student? My current roommate is from Phoenix, but I would like other opinions as well.

-Oh, btw, I'd be transferring from SDSMT which is in Rapid City, SD. Its depressing here for me, so I gotta move ASAP.

-Alex

VR-4 0wnz j00

10-18-2010, 07:55 AM

I wouldn't recommend it. My friend graduated from there and I went to visit her one time. There is nothing out there except cactus, lol. If your going there purely for the education then it would be fine.

Mean Green

10-18-2010, 08:26 AM

Its depressing here for me, so I gotta move ASAP.
-Alex

There is nothing out there except cactus, lol.

lol...sounds like just the place for someone who thinks where they live is depressing...

j2k4

10-18-2010, 09:25 AM

Don't we have enough engineers here named Alex? :D

vr4chick

10-18-2010, 09:27 AM

Arizona is awesome.

akotten

10-18-2010, 02:48 PM

There may be a lot of cactus and desert, but there's also a city there for me. Rapid City is about 60,000. The second largest city in South Dakota. The only thing here is the black hills and the ski resort. I like to hike but its only for a few months while I'm here because its too cold most of the time, and I never really got into skiing/snowboarding.

akotten

10-18-2010, 02:49 PM

Arizona is awesome.

Any supporting reasons?

carmiencke

10-18-2010, 02:54 PM

I live about 15 minutes from asu. Its not that horrible out here. Living in tempe there hookah bars, lots of bars and parties. Tempeis a big party town considering there lots of college students. Theres misc. stuff to do like theres a car show every saturday at the scottsdale pavillions which is the biggest car show in az. Its also not far from were you would be staying. Its not the greatest city but by far not the worst.

AdamVR4

10-18-2010, 03:35 PM

I feel like I can contribute to this...

I spent the first 2 semester of my collegiate career studying mechanical engineering at SMU in Dallas. The school was easy enough, but I couldn't find any people there I could relate to. They call it Southern Money for a reason, y'know? Anyway, after 2 semesters, enough was enough. My grades were good enough, I was miserable enough, my parents didn't give me any grief about my decision to transfer.

I worked up the balls to tell my parents a bit too late, so I spent the next semester taking 17 hours @ community college. I got a bunch of BS out of the way, Calc 2 was easy as fuck, and I took a welding course because I wanted the skills for my VR4 (but it sure was a nugget of gold on my resume!)...

I was lucky and got into the University of Texas. It was a massive step up with respect to difficulty, I doubted myself, but I found myself far more motivated to work... It's funny what being happy will do. Without a doubt, transferring back to Austin (where I grew up) was the best decision of my life.

Arizona is beautiful... ASU is nationally recognized as one of the top party schools, year after year, right along side Texas. If ASU has a better mechanical engineering program than SDSMT, I say commit yourself, DO IT, and never look back!! (except at the end when you can be proud as eff at what you just accomplished!)

Good luck!!

akotten

10-18-2010, 07:00 PM

Well to be honest, it would probably be a small downgrade as far as engineering goes. But classes here are ridiculous and the stress is really tearing me up. I hate the fact that I have one professor to choose from for Physics, one professor for Thermodynamics, etc. I want options because not everyone learns in the same ways so the professor plays a big role.

SDSMT:
Pros
Great engineering program
Super affordable
4.5hrs from home
Moderate weather (comparing to Eastern SD)

Cons
Small specialized school
Rapid City (its dumpy with drunk Indians everywhere)
No women at school
Classes are so challenging that the additional stress is beginning to not be worth the extra reputation
Cold - I've lived here all of my life and I'm tired of it

ASU:
Pros
More specialized degree; I can actually focus on automotive or aeronautical engineering, not just mechanical in general
Large city with a variety of entertainment
Warm year round
Only slightly more expensive than home
Ability to drive my bike year round for commuting
Women

Cons
21hr drive from home
Making all new friends again during middle of sophomore year
Slightly weaker engineering reputation

Really, I just want to find a place where I'll be happier. I've always told myself that I would move south someday, so I might as well experience some of it while I'm in college instead of being stuck there for a job (in case I don't like it). I had no idea ASU is a big party school. Not sure what to think of that yet. I guess I've been known to like to party, but I've been cutting back a lot so its not an important factor for me. I guess it'll be a way to meet new friends.

MADMarc

10-18-2010, 07:08 PM

I hung out in Phoenix with a buddy who lived there a few years back. It's an interesting place because there's a highway that circles pretty much the entire Phoenix area. Lots of parties and you shouldn't have trouble finding women ;) But...will establishing residency kill you in tuition until you are able to get the resident fees rather than out of state? I'm in southern California and to me it seemed alright, but I am a beach guy and have plenty to do w/in an hour drive. From what it sounds like SD treats you, you ought to love the change. Sometimes change is all it takes, too.

Alex3000gt

10-18-2010, 08:00 PM

Don't we have enough engineers here named Alex? :D

Hahaha!

Good point.

akotten

10-18-2010, 08:33 PM

Well I should be able to use the Western University Exchange (WUE) program. This will allow me to pay resident tuition rate at 150%. (~12-15k plus an apartment) I'm also hoping to get some sort of scholarship that will bring it closer to, if not cheaper than, what I currently pay here at SDSMT.

Alex3000gt

10-18-2010, 08:55 PM

Maverick Hunter

10-18-2010, 09:02 PM

mk_

10-18-2010, 09:31 PM

You would like it here. If you like girls that is. :)

akotten

10-18-2010, 09:38 PM

http://www.studentsreview.com/AZ/Arizona_State_University.html

Completely unscientific. But found it interesting that over half the students said they wouldnt go back to ASU.

Looks like cheating is a big problem there too. So I dont know what that does to reputation.

Compare that to my current school. Basically my current school has a way better education rating (according to that site) but the social life is WAY worse. To me, this translates to really difficult classes with no way of relieving stress. Finding a balance between these two for an affordable price is a difficult task.

http://www.studentsreview.com/SD/SDSMT.html

akotten

10-18-2010, 09:38 PM

You would like it here. If you like girls that is. :)

Are you a student at ASU? If so, what's you major?

akotten

10-18-2010, 09:41 PM

Specializing your degree can be both good and bad.

Good if you have a company in mind that has a job waiting for you, or if you have a plan on where you want to go.

Bad if you aren't certain what field you want to go into. With an ME degree you can do aerospace, automotive, agricultural, defense - it's just a matter of getting the right coop or internship behind you. Just something to think about, not saying you're right or wrong.

My opinion in the matter is severely biased, however.

Boiler up!

I agree that specializing can be a bad thing. I think what they offer is a mechanical engineering degree but with a side of automotive or aeronautical. I would think you still get all of the courses of a normal ME, so you're still the james bond of engineering lol.

I see you're from Peoria, IL. I was just there the other weekend for an ASME leadership seminar. Small world.

Alex3000gt

10-18-2010, 10:47 PM

Crazy. I went to an ASME leadership seminar in St. Louis in April. SD institute of mines freaking swept the competition! Jerks!

On another note:
If you have a Formula SAE club, definitely get involved! You can fill your resume with design experience from that one club.

akotten

10-18-2010, 10:52 PM

vr4chick

10-19-2010, 06:45 AM

Any supporting reasons?

Live in Tempe or one of the suburbs of phoenix. Its really nice, not a whole lot of crime, everyone there is happy, lots of outdoor recreation...

Jeremy C

10-19-2010, 09:31 AM

You would like it here. If you like girls that don't speak English. :)

Just updating it with what I see down here.

I've been in Tucson for 2 years now. As soon as I can afford to move, I'm out of here. This is a state that you will either love or hate - it's very polarizing as it's such a one-trick state. If you don't like mexican food, southwestern styled houses, cactus, and sand storms, then this place isn't for you. If you are a person who worships the sun and wants leather skin by your mid 40's, then by all means get down here!

mk_

10-19-2010, 05:19 PM

Are you a student at ASU? If so, what's you major?

Nope, graduated a few years back with an Automotive Technology degree from college back in NY where I'm originally from. My brother did get his MBA from ASU and I know he would recommend the school. I'm still tinkering with the idea of going back for another degree before I'm too old, and I would likely choose ASU if I could make the money work out.

mk_

10-19-2010, 05:27 PM

Just updating it with what I see down here.

I've been in Tucson for 2 years now. As soon as I can afford to move, I'm out of here. This is a state that you will either love or hate - it's very polarizing as it's such a one-trick state. If you don't like mexican food, southwestern styled houses, cactus, and sand storms, then this place isn't for you. If you are a person who worships the sun and wants leather skin by your mid 40's, then by all means get down here!

Fair enough assessment :) The weather alone is enough to make me stay. I've only been here for a short amount of time, but the many people that I've met have all been great. It's a very diverse group of people here which is relatively new to me, but since I have no problems with them I doubt they have problems with me. For the most part, everyone is a transplant from another part of the country and has stories about their hometown, which where I'm from, everyone has been there their entire life and that's that. The only folks that I've met that don't like it here are the ones that actually have lived here their entire life and are ready for something different, which is understandable.. that is actually why I moved in the first place.

kmslayer

10-19-2010, 05:52 PM

hmmm mill ave :)

akotten

10-19-2010, 06:46 PM

hmmm mill ave :)

What is that?

kmslayer

10-19-2010, 07:01 PM

Mill Ave. Is the party area for ASU ton of bars and is packed on the weekends

http://www.millavenue.com/entertainment/nightlife

this might explain a little

akotten

10-19-2010, 07:54 PM

Awesome....it would definitely be nice to have an area like that. Here, there are three frat houses a few blocks away. Other than that, a few bars on main street, but obviously that's the 21+ crowd.

AdamVR4

10-19-2010, 08:22 PM

I gotta ask... Why ASU?

akotten

10-19-2010, 08:36 PM

I gotta ask... Why ASU?

I'm trying to find a college with a similar engineering program that actually has a good student population and things to do. And if I'm gonna go through the hassle of transferring, I might as well go somewhere warm since I'm tired of SD winters. Also, AllegiantAir has direct flights to Rapid City and Sioux falls for usually under $200 which is nice for when I want to go home. Plus it is part of WUE, so tuition isn't double what I'm paying now. However, I would still lose a couple scholarships that require me to be in SD, so I'm trying to get that worked out.

I-AM-FURLONG

10-19-2010, 09:20 PM

I would do it. I miss Arizona and I live in outside Los angeles. I lived north of Phoenix for about 9 years and loved it. Phoenix was always the place to go to for stuff to do.

akotten

10-19-2010, 09:53 PM

I would do it. I miss Arizona and I live in outside Los angeles. I lived north of Phoenix for about 9 years and loved it. Phoenix was always the place to go to for stuff to do.

This is what I like to hear. :) thanks. Sounds like their engineering at the Polytechnic is pretty decent too so I wouldn't be missing much on the education side of things.

Alex3000gt

10-19-2010, 09:59 PM

I gotta ask... Why ASU?

http://scenicdakotas.com/southdakota/rapidcity/rapidcitysign.jpg

akotten

10-19-2010, 10:02 PM

http://scenicdakotas.com/southdakota/rapidcity/rapidcitysign.jpg

Ding ding ding! Haha...its terrible here, but that's not my only reason of course

Alex3000gt

10-19-2010, 10:21 PM

akotten

10-19-2010, 10:41 PM

I feel your pain. I'd love to get out of the midwest. I have a decent job, but would leave in a heartbeat if I could get out!

http://www.peomedsoc.org/Peoria%20@%20night.jpg
Peoria.

One more winter, and this Texan might just curl up and die.

Peoria wouldn't be nearly as bad. At least you have Caterpillar right there, but I can definitely relate to preferring warmer weather.

Alex3000gt

10-19-2010, 11:25 PM

Peoria wouldn't be nearly as bad. At least you have Caterpillar right there, but I can definitely relate to preferring warmer weather.

That's where I work. :p

akotten

10-19-2010, 11:56 PM

That's where I work. :p

Damn dude u just toured that assembly line and your R&D facility a few weeks ago whole u was on that asme trip. 4000hp and 6 turbos is quite the sight

carmiencke

10-20-2010, 02:17 AM

1290
Btw arizona does have some pretty cool sight seeing. Heres an outlook of the valley
(phoenix)

Jeremy C

10-20-2010, 09:22 AM

Fair enough assessment :) The weather alone is enough to make me stay. I've only been here for a short amount of time, but the many people that I've met have all been great. It's a very diverse group of people here which is relatively new to me, but since I have no problems with them I doubt they have problems with me. For the most part, everyone is a transplant from another part of the country and has stories about their hometown, which where I'm from, everyone has been there their entire life and that's that. The only folks that I've met that don't like it here are the ones that actually have lived here their entire life and are ready for something different, which is understandable.. that is actually why I moved in the first place.

Before I totally give up, I may try to find work and move north. Maybe it's just this city that's bad.

Alex3000gt

10-20-2010, 05:32 PM

Damn dude u just toured that assembly line and your R&D facility a few weeks ago whole u was on that asme trip. 4000hp and 6 turbos is quite the sight

Haha, hell yeah. The generator engines are freaking awesome.

I work at the proving grounds testing and validating prototype and pilot (experimental) machines. Namely small wheel loaders (smaller than 938), skid steer loaders and back hoe loaders. AKA: Building Construction Products.

http://www.globalequipmentexporters.com/images/inventory/Kevins%20skid%20steer%20007.JPG
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_otMKl0CFmuE/SkH8Yl_QcmI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/apO9U7dA2TA/s400/caterpillar-930g-wheel-loader.jpg
http://www.sae.org/dlymagazineimages/1730_1097_ART.jpg

Example pictures incase you were wondering wtf a wheel loader was.

akotten

10-20-2010, 06:01 PM

Yeah I was aware of their proving grounds, but we didn't have time to visit it.

akotten

10-21-2010, 10:26 PM

mikeyVR4

10-22-2010, 02:24 AM

Wow I missed this thread.

Whoever says that Arizona is just filled with cacti is a moron.

I have been to a few states so I have seen many different environment. Arizona, around Tempe, Phoenix, and the whole "inner" circle is pretty dope. You would not have any troubles finding women and things to do. There is always something to do on the weekends. We have huge car meets, and I have a lot of friends going to ASU. There is always a party and we have great weather for night life. Although the summers can get pretty damn hot, right now we are chilling in 75 degree weather. Our 75 degrees is nice because we have dry temps.

Ask me any questions you may have. I am 25 and in the midst of things. I am usually at Mill Ave. (ASU college strip) and they have tons of bars and shit to do.

My fiancee just graduated from ASU ;)

Oh I almost forgot, drive a hour and a half up north and you are in forest land where snow falls. We have awesome snowboarding areas, lakes, and all that stuff. About 4 hours north (from Phoenix) is Las Vegas!!! Great weekend run :). Yes, I have made this run many times.

mikeyVR4

10-22-2010, 02:43 AM

So I just found out that ASU's Tempe campus is the ONLY campus of theirs that will not accept the WUE program. The Tempe campus is where my Mechanical Engineering program is at. So tuition goes from 12k to 21k per year. There's no way I can afford that :BangHead: WTF am I going to do :runaway:

Easy!!! Do what I did, get a job at the University you want to attend and they offer some GREAT tuition waivers/assistance/reimbursements.

akotten

10-22-2010, 04:35 AM

Easy!!! Do what I did, get a job at the University you want to attend and they offer some GREAT tuition waivers/assistance/reimbursements.

What kind of job are you referring to?

akotten

10-22-2010, 01:49 PM

Something like these? http://students.asu.edu/employment/search/results

mikeyVR4

10-22-2010, 02:11 PM

Something like these? http://students.asu.edu/employment/search/results

That link sent me to a overview search.

Basically, try to get a job with the University. I am not 100% sure if you are required to be a full time employee or part time but you will receive a good tuition reimbursement. Just get your foot in the door and get that tuition assistance. If its a part time gig, you can get another job somewhere else. The whole point is for you to get the cheapest schooling possible so you can get your degree. After that, off to your new career.

Working at the University you are going to is a trade secret within our business. You get sometimes from 80% paid to 100% paid schooling. Oh and you get a check for working with them :). Its a win-win.

mikeyVR4

10-22-2010, 02:24 PM

From ASU website:

"The Employee-Reduced In-state Tuition program permits eligible employees to take advantage of educational opportunities at the University. Please review SPP 505 (http://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/spp/spp505.html), Employee-Reduced In-State Tuition, for additional information regarding eligibility and benefits.
Reduced in-state tuition is available to faculty and staff who are employed at least 50% within the State University system, their spouses and dependent children. You must be employed on the first day of the semester to be eligible for employee reduced in-state tuition. At ASU, the Employee Tuition Waiver form must be submitted and processed by the 35th day of the semester. Nonresident students are ineligible for employee-reduced tuition and should contact Residency Classification early since processing can be time consuming.

ASU employees must complete and submit the Tuition Waiver form each semester to receive the reduced in-state tuition benefit for classes taken at ASU."

http://students.asu.edu/employeewaivers

nosferatudracon

10-23-2010, 01:07 AM

I have two friends who did Teach For America in Pheonix and both really enjoyed getting their master's degrees from ASU. Both continue to live in Phoenix, one still teaching in the district she was in and the other working for TFA.

Although I have no personal experience, just the little bit I know from them.

akotten

10-23-2010, 03:31 PM

nosferatudracon

10-23-2010, 04:25 PM

Why specifically ASU? Have you thought about like Texas Austin or one of the southern California schools(Cal Poly comes to mind). Not sure what your academics and such are like to know what schools you'd be a transfer candidate at but there are other options if you just want to go to a good engineering school in the south where you could get residency after a year.

mikeyVR4

10-24-2010, 01:50 AM

"Nonresident students are ineligible for employee-reduced tuition"

I've considered moving to az for a year and working there so I can try to earn residency but I see you need to be financially independent from your parents for at least two years. Ughhh...this really sucks, I want to move there soooo bad right now.

Have your parents stop putting you as a dependent on their taxes.

The way I see it, we all have one life to live and its only up to us on how to live it. If you truly want to live in Arizona, then you should. It'll be a shame 5 years from now and you are still contemplating on moving. Just go with your gut and follow your dreams, whatever they may be. If you come down here, you will fit in fine. But wherever you go, best of luck for sure man! :)

akotten

10-24-2010, 02:52 PM

Have your parents stop putting you as a dependent on their taxes.

The way I see it, we all have one life to live and its only up to us on how to live it. If you truly want to live in Arizona, then you should. It'll be a shame 5 years from now and you are still contemplating on moving. Just go with your gut and follow your dreams, whatever they may be. If you come down here, you will fit in fine. But wherever you go, best of luck for sure man! :)

That's what I want to do, but for residency you need to be independent (off the taxes) for two years prior to requesting residency. I definitely agree that I just need to do it no matter what it takes. My parents really worry about me having loans to pay off when I get out, but seriously, I'll be an engineer and can afford it lol.

mikeyVR4

10-24-2010, 05:20 PM

That's what I want to do, but for residency you need to be independent (off the taxes) for two years prior to requesting residency. I definitely agree that I just need to do it no matter what it takes. My parents really worry about me having loans to pay off when I get out, but seriously, I'll be an engineer and can afford it lol.

Yeah, my fiancee just graduated from ASU with her Biology major. She owes a lot of money from her school loans. We also have two doctors in the family, her side, and they both ended up owing $120,000 + each for their schooling. Medical school at UofA was like $41,000 per year.

It is definitely tough man, but sometimes it takes a little red to get that green and to be happy with what you truly want. :).