I am a freshmen in NYiT right now and I'm still a NYC resident. I am finishing up my freshmen year and will be going into my first semester of Fall 2009 sophomore year. I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering but I haven't started any M.E. classes yet, only courses that I will need in order to to get a M.E. bachelors. I have taken a general Engineering course my first semester and I am taking Java Programming and Computer Science right now during my second semester. I also have other core courses like Writing, Speech, Pre-Calculus, etc etc etc.

I am considering dropping my M.E. major and further look into Transportation Design. I would like to transfer out of NYiT by the end of Fall 09 because the tuition is a bit expensive. Tuition right now $30,000+ for a year not including transportation, books, daily expenses, etc. The school is certainly a good private school for those majoring in Architecture, Engineering, Hospitality Management and Pre-Med but the campus is located in the heart of the city and there is not much room. We have two campuses, the one in Manhattan has 3 semi-large office type buildings while the campus in Long Island has a pretty large campus located in the freaking woods but it is very boring there. Both campuses are very dry when it comes to social activities and events. It is not the environment I prefer and it makes no sense for me to stay because I am changing majors.

I am looking into transportation design as a major because it seems a bit more interesting than Mechanical Engineering. I am not sure if the major will pay more when I graduate because as far as I know, M.E. is one of the best if not the best paying engineering major. Making money after I graduate is definitely an important factor. I am going to send some emails out to auto designers and companies such as Stile Bertone and hopefully receive a few good responses on the career of a transportation/auto designer and what it takes to become a transportation/auto designer.

I took a week spring vacation in SoCal and visited USD and UCSB and pretty much fell in love with the environment of SoCal. It is much more peaceful and civilized compared to NYC. Not that I'm calling myself a ***** but I have become used to the rough assholery of NYC but I also want a change to be independent.

My sister left NYC for USF when she was 17, graduated and came back to NYU to continue her studies at NYU for her Masters Degree then left again to UCSB for her Ph.D (International Education major). She will be done in a year or two. I want to follow her footsteps and experience what she has experienced instead of staying in NYC and not seeing what other places have to offer.

I will be going back in mid-June for 2-3 weeks and will be looking for colleges in the SoCal area that offers Transportation Design. I am aware that there is a very prestigious school in Pasadena LA called Art Center College of Design but according to my sister's boyfriend, it is VERY hard to get into and the tuition can cost up to 50-60k. I wouldn't doubt it because MANY famous auto designers graduated from there (e.g. Franz von Holzhausen, designer of the Furai and other Mazda concepts).

I want to look for cheaper alternatives but I also want a school that is average if not better because I am not flying cross country to attend a poor performing school. So far, ACCD is the only school I know of that is notorious for it's Transportation Deign program. I don't need a school that is notorious in T.D. but I want the school that have a dedication to the major, not a school that has it just for the hell of it and doesn't get involved in it.

So yeah, if anyone can recommend me a few schools in the SoCal area that offers what I want, that would be great. I need to start filling in applications during the summer since I don't have much time to get things together since I wish to be in SoCal by the time Spring 2010 semester comes around. Preferably, in the San Diego or Los Angeles area because my sister will be getting a new apartment and job in either area, she doesn't know where specifically but we should know by the end of summer. I want to move in with her and share the rent/expenses with her. She also has a brand new Honda, so that makes everything a lot more convenient compared to dorming.

Sorry for the long read!!

Thanks,
Robert



Oh yeah, my spring break thread is here:

https://www.rx7club.com/west-rx-7-forum-193/interesting-things-do-socal-829018/

 

art center does transportation design, im actually working on my portfolio too.

 

^^^

 

u type too much..

 

You read too little.

 

I have a buddy that graduated from the Pasadena place, he draws pretty well, and he had a hard time getting a job in the field. He even taught a few courses back at the school. With the economy the way it is currently, it's gonna be tough to land one with the factory.

 

That's what I'm afraid of. What was his major?

I'm still 18 and finishing up my freshman year; hopefully when I graduate, things will turn around for the better.

 

He did the transportation design program at Pasadena. After he graduated he found a job with a motorcycle company up in Portland, but moved back to LA after 9 months.