Biology b.a. graduate switching to engineering. Advise? - Page 2

Yes, mechanical engineering. But tuition at my school has gone up 60% and unfortunately my parents can't afford another 2yrs for me (grad school is more expensive also). How is the tuition in Houston?

It is possible. I my self am getting a B.S in mechanical in 6 weeks . Due to my sucky gpa due to the fact that I had to work 2 jobs to pay for it. (I screwed up by trying to do too much at once). I will be going back to get my physics degree. After I do that I will go to graduate school for either one. Keep your gpa up.

Yeah, to apply for a masters at some schools, you usually need to take like 30 or so hours of the basics in what would be the bachelor's for your major. Usually you also need something like a 3.0 or 3.5 in those classes!

The real problem behind that is that if you don't finish your degree, all you have is your original BA and then some engineering classes -- nothing that'll make you anymore hireable.

Also: that list of australian approved institutions is pure bullcrap. I've never even heard of most of those schools!

I checked U of H website and tuition per semester is approximately $ 4, 500 per semester. It's pretty close to what i used to pay at UT Austin (about $5,000 per semester). I know UT has some really good engineering programs but i just can't afford living out of town again. Since i plan to use my engineering degree overseas, i was hoping it would not matter much if it's a degree from UoH as opposed to UT degree since i already have a biology degree from UT with a high gpa and can prove i can take on a relatively tough school. But not sure.....

Does anybody know if there is financial aid or institutional/merit scholarships available for dreamers wanting to get a Master's degree? In Texas I'm eligible to get financial aid from the state (I don't feel guilty because my parents have been paying property taxes on our home for 15 yrs and have all been filing taxes) and perhaps the school can offer me some help. I think it's very unlikely to get help for a second bachelor's, i heard, but what about Master's?

Might not be overly impossible. I've taken a few biomed. engineering courses in my studies and they were among the easiest, so perhaps the leveling courses won't be such an obscene requirement. I mean, I've got a buddy who did an art degree and is doing a master's in environmental engineering.

The ABET requirement might be a hindrance if you're thinking of moving abroad so try to transfer to UT if possible (they've got a good track record of helping dreamers). Unfortunately for me (being in the UT system) I was unable to complete my master's because the chair told me I was 'unhirable' and as such wouldn't be able to work in the lab w/o being insured.

The other option is obviously Canada, full ride plus may get into a better school. And you could study Biology if you wanted.

Heyo, I'm in Texas as well, but I didn't graduate from a Texas high school. I get in-state tuition because of my parents (USC), but I don't want to push the issue or raise any red flags with the school as far as applying for the TAFSA goes. What exactly did you do to apply for that?

You won't raise any red flags and even if you do, I'm sure the school officials will be willing to help you out. That's exactly what i did at UT, i told them about my status and explained how i qualified for in-state tuition rate so they just gave me the affidavit form to fill out and return to them. Then, i asked about financial aid and they told me i had to fill out a paper FAFSA (can't do online since they ask for ss) and give it to them so they could put together a financial aid package which included institutional/merit scholarships, state aid and private scholarships. All this happened back in 2006. Nowadays, i realize there is a TAFSA form but i never filled one out, perhaps it wasn't around in 2006.

Hmm, I emailed the person in charge of financial aid at my uni and she told me that I am not allowed to fill out a FAFSA :s

Did you ask what you her for what you are supposed to send...? I think it's just TAFSA.