Ramsey 1

Derek Ramsey
Mr. Casteel
ENGR Design 1: 1st Pd.
10 August 2015
Educational Options for an Engineering Degree
In todays world of post-secondary education, there are three main types of schools to
attend: Applied Technology Schools, Community Colleges, and Four-Year Universities.
Typically, a student can earn an accredited degree from each. However, the programs of study are
not always the same or equal. A student can attend a technology school cheaper and for an easier
curriculum. A community college will also offer similar degrees but is a step ahead of applied
technology in curriculum and choices. In the lead are the four-year universities. A four-year
university offers multiple courses and will prepare the student a lot better than the lesser two.
Attending a technical school is generally for learning a trade but now, some technology
schools offer technical degrees pertaining to major degrees such as marketing, business, and even
engineering. Typically, a technology school is the cheapest of the three and is less diverse in
degree programs. However, this is a great opportunity for a lot of entering college freshmen. At a
college of applied technology like Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Murfreesboro, I
could earn a degree in Drafting and CAD Technology. Most technical schools do not offer an
true accredited engineering degree, but rather a degree in applied technology associated with
engineering such as CAD (Computer Aided Drafting). According to the Tennessee College of
Applied Technology in Murfreesboro, to apply for a technical degree at a college of applied
technology, I would have to provide my high school diploma or GED (General Educational
Development). Next, I would have to prove I have up-to-date records of my vaccinations and

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immunizations. Finally, I would need to provide Tennessee College of Applied Technology in
Murfreesboro with any other courses I may have taken prior to enrollment at the technology
school. There are not many admission requirements to this type of school, making it easier to be
accepted. To prepare for this type of education, I would need to focus on my core classes
required for graduation. Alongside those general courses, art classes will help prepare for the
drawing and design aspect. Finally, I would have to make AutoCAD, drafting, or both my
elective focus. If I could not take CAD or drafting classes, I could apply and learn the same
materials, just not as fast or efficiently. There would be a lot of catching up to do before entering
more advanced classes.
The next step up from an applied technology school is a community college such as
Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, Tennessee. Community colleges have a few
more engineering programs than a technology school, but still do not offer the full potential
options for an engineering degree. However, a lot of students attend this type of college for its
size, cost, and as a period to get used to college life without diving in head first. If I were to
attend a community college, my options in choosing a degree will increase more than from a
school of applied technology. For example, if I were to attend Pellissippi State Community
College, I could study Engineering and Media Technology. The degree is broader and offers
more paths to take after college. To apply and be accepted to Pellissippi State, I would have to
have an official high school transcript showing I have taken all the required courses to obtain a
high school diploma. Also, I would have to submit my best ACT scores to Pellissippi State. In
order to be considered for enrollment, I would need a composite ACT score of 17 or better.
Along with the composite score, I would have to have a certain sub score in each category on the
ACT. On the English portion, I would need a score better than an eighteen. On the Math and

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Reading sections, I would need a score of nineteen or better. In accompany with a transcript and
ACT scores, I would need to submit any other college courses taken outside of Pellissippi State.
In preparation for attending Pellissippi State, I would have to take all of my general education
classes in high school. Also, I would need to focus heavily on math and science, taking all the
pertinent classes I can in those categories. These courses would best prepare me for Pellissippi
State.
A four year college is unlike a technical college or a community college in a few ways.
Unlike the community college or technical college, a four year university offers almost every
degree in engineering as possible. The diversity would allow for me to change my major if I
decided I did not like what engineering I was studying. In a technical or community college, I
would be limited to a certain type of course. For example, if I were to attend Tennessee
Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee, I could choose between multiple degrees.
TTU has: basic engineering, civil and environmental engineering, chemical engineering,
electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing and
engineering technology. To apply at Tennessee Tech for an engineering degree, I would need a
high school transcript complete with all state required courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Also, I
would need to send in my college transcript from Dual Enrollment classes. Along with the
transcripts, I would have to submit my ACT scores and have a certain score on the test. In math,
I would need a composite score of 20 with a math sub score of 22. To be prepared for
engineering at Tennessee Tech, I would need to take all the general education classes required for
a high school diploma. Also, I would need to have an elective focus in an area related to
engineering. Such focuses are: math elective focus, science elective focus, Engineering focus, or

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an AutoCAD focus. With one of these focuses, I would be well prepared for engineering at
Tennessee Tech.
Seeing all the options for colleges in an engineering degree, there is a visible difference
between the three types of colleges. Whether I would have to attend a certain type of college for
financial reasons or to maximize my degree options, one of the colleges will suit me the best. I
feel as I will be prepared for which ever option I choose if I study the admission requirements
and secondary courses to focus on. Personally, I am going to attend a four-year university. This
type of college will be best suited for my desired degree.

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Works Cited
Admissions Requirements. Tennessee Technological University Admissions. Tennessee
Technological University. n.d. Web. 12 August 2015.
Admissions Requirements PDF. Pellissippi State Community College Admissions. Pellissippi
State Community College. n.d. Web. 12 Aug 2015. <http://www.pstcc.edu/ppm/pdf/0311-00.pdf>
"Admission Requirements for All Programs." Admission Requirements for All Programs.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Murfreesboro, n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2015.