College Counseling: Great Co-op Colleges

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Georgia Institute of Technology, James Emery via Wikimedia Commons.

Several colleges and universities across the United States are known as “co-op” colleges: their curriculums include experiential learning for most students across all disciplines. Programs at these colleges are specifically designed to give students hands-on paid experience in their major field during college so they are career-ready adults when they graduate. Employment rates directly after graduation from these colleges are usually high.

University of Cincinnati, Ohio, www.uc.edu

The nation's largest and oldest Experiential Learning program, comprising 3,000 students in forty professional-practice options (UC has 22,000 undergraduates) such as architecture, design, engineering, nursing, music.
The International Co-op Program gives students the opportunity to experience work and living abroad.
By the numbers: 67% acceptance rate, Mid-range SAT scores: Critical Reading 510-620, Math 520-640, Mid-range ACT composite: 22-27.

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, www.gatech.edu

Georgia Tech's Undergraduate Cooperative Education Program is a five-year plan for students to alternate semesters of school with at least three semesters of paid work.
One or more of the work semesters may be a paid work experience abroad.
By the numbers: Admit rate: 51%; Mid-Range SAT scores: CR 580-680, M 650-750, Mid-range ACT composite: 27-31.

Kettering University, Flint, Michigan, www.kettering.edu

Fourteen undergrad majors in math, science, business and applied engineering: undergraduates choose co-op positions from among Fortune 500 companies.
The Co-op Program matches students with employers that align with interests with the goal of working with the same co-op employer throughout their academic program .
By the numbers: Admit rate: 64%, Mid-range SAT scores: CR 530-630, M 590-680, Mid-range ACT composite: 24-28.

Keuka College, Keuka Park, New York, www.keuka.edu

Four 140-hour “Field Periods” are required for graduation (one each year).
Field Periods can be an internship, cultural experience, community service project, or faith-based exploration.
By the numbers: 74%. This college is test-optional: test scores are not required for admission.

Northeastern University, Boston, MA, www.northeastern.edu

Co-ops are available to Northeastern students in three dozen states and 90 countries
Students start their first co-op during the second semester of their sophomore year, after completing the co-op preparation course in their major
By the numbers: 32% acceptance rate; Mid-range SAT scores: Critical Reading 630-720, Math 650-740; Mid-range ACT composite: 29-32.

Check out these additional co-op colleges and universities: Drexel University (PA); Oregon State University's College of Engineering; Rochester Institute of Technology (NY); University of Victoria (BC, CA) or www.waceinc.org. Read more about the National Society for Experiential Education here: http://www.nsee.org/. ;

Emily Standish is a partner in Portland, Oregon-based College Admission Coach LLC (http://www.collegeadmissioncoach.com) which helps students identify and gain admission to right-fit schools where they will thrive academically and personally. Contact me at [email protected].

Homepage Photo Credit: Ryan Hyde (own work)