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Educational Institution Research

College of Applied Technology

It was the second semester of my senior year in high school. As graduation slowly
approached, my fellow students and I all had the same thing on our minds: college. Our
choice of college and major will lay the foundation for our careers. Just the other day I
was talking to my friend Tiffany about college during lunch.
Have you applied to any colleges yet? I asked.
Actually, I have. Ive already sent in my application to the Tennessee College of
Applied Technology. She was much more prepared than I was. I had not even decided
on which college I wanted to go to! The only things I knew were this: I wanted to go into
engineering, and the cost of my classes needed to be low enough so that I could pay for
tuition by myself. My parents, while very supportive, did not have the money to send me
to college. Additionally, I did not want to attend a large college.
You know, she said, you might want to consider TCAT. It has some great
engineering programs, and we could even go to school together!
Later that evening, I logged onto the family computer and typed Tennessee
College of Applied Technology into my browser. I clicked through the multiple search
results that came up and thoroughly read through the websites. As the hours ticked by, I
researched the programs of study offered at each branch and the price associated with
them. When my eyes began to feel heavy, I glanced at the clock. It was two oclock in the
morning.

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The next day, I could not keep this college out of my mind; it was perfect! The
Knoxville branch offered multiple programs related to engineering. If I were to go there, I
could live close to home and be able to pay for the tuition. I would enroll in multiple fulltime programs, such as Computer Information Technology, Industrial Electricity,
Industrial Maintenance/Mechatronic Technology, and the Heating, Ventilation, Air
Conditioning, & Refrigeration program. With these courses, I could gain valuable skills
needed to get a job in engineering.
Besides the required classes, I have taken secondary classes in high school that
have prepared me for postsecondary engineering programs. Among these are upper-level
math courses, including Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry, Statistics, Pre-Calculus,
and Calculus. My physics, chemistry, and CTE engineering classes have also prepared
me for college.
After having a serious discussion with my parents, I decided to apply to the
Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Knoxville. We spent a few days completing
my application and FAFSA and compiling my transcript and immunization records. The
admission criteria varied among programs. Generally, however, people applying to the
school are required to have a high school diploma (or GED). According to the website of
the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Nashville, [s]tudents must declare an
occupational objective and demonstrate through an interview or skills assessment
reasonable potential for achieving that objective. This most likely applies to the
Knoxville branch as well.
A few months later, my application was accepted, and I was official enrolled. I
was relieved to finally have a plan for my future. In my situation, it was wise to apply to

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the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Knoxville because of its financial
advantages. Also, I still have the option of continuing to pursue a degree in engineering
by transferring my credits and attending a community college.

Community College
Earlier this morning, the school principal called a senior class meeting. The topic
of the meeting was college. I did not pay too much attention to what Mr. Valdez was
saying. I already knew all of this; the five previous meetings had adequately prepared me
for applying to college. However, something he said grabbed my attention.
. . . Promise scholarship offers students two tuition-free years at any community
college in Tennessee, I heard. It allows students to continue their education without
spending the money needed to attend a four-year university. I highly recommend that you
all take full advantage of the Tennessee Promise.
The bell rang to dismiss us. Throughout the day, I thought about the Tennessee
Promise. This scholarship was a wonderful provision for people like me who were
seeking two-year degrees.
I had already decided to attend Chattanooga State Community College and get an
Associate of Science in engineering. In their engineering technology program, four A. S.
degrees are offered. These degrees are in civil engineering, construction management,
electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Chattanooga State also offers over
twenty different Associate of Applied Technology degrees in engineering. Included
among these are different concentrations in areas such as chemical engineering,
construction engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear power engineering, civil

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engineering, industrial engineering, and mechatronic systems. I have chosen to go into
mechanical engineering because it interests me the most.
Because I am going into engineering, I have been taking as many honors and AP
math and science classes as possible. In addition to my English, history, geometry, and
algebra courses, I have taken Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus,
Calculus, AP Calculus, Statistics, Biology I, Biology II, Chemistry I, Chemistry II, AP
Chemistry, Physics, and AP Physics. I also have taken Principles of Engineering,
Engineering Design I, and Engineering Design II.
Chattanooga State has an open admission policy. Because of this, the majority of
the students who apply to the school and meet the requirements are admitted into the
college. ACT and SAT scores place applicants. The website does not supply a minimum
score requirement.
After going through the application process, I was eventually accepted
into Chattanooga State Community College and received the Tennessee Promise
scholarship. Having an Associate of Science in Mechanical Engineering will provide me
with many more job opportunities than if I had chosen to go to a college of applied
technology. When I finish my two free years of community college, I can always obtain a
higher degree by attending a four-year university.

Four-Year University
Education is priceless. It is very important to seek knowledge, gain new
insights, and be thankful for learning opportunities. After secondary school, a persons
education can be continued into college. Here, students dedicate themselves to learning

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and develop valuable skills in the process. As a high school senior, I want to achieve all
of these things when I go to college. I am currently in the world of college applications.
Three years ago, my older brother Jacob began his first year at the University of
Tennessee. He followed in our fathers footsteps by majoring in mechanical engineering.
Now, Jacob is my main college information consultant. I, like him, am going to the
University of Tennessee. Like my family members before me, I am also going into
mechanical engineering.
For two years, I have known the career path that I will follow. Therefore, I made
sure that I took appropriate secondary classes to prepare myself for college. Engineering
in general revolves around math and science, so I have been taking lots of these classes.
Included among these are Algebra I Honors, Algebra II Honors, Geometry Honors,
Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry, Statistics, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and Advanced
Placement Calculus, Physics, Advanced Placement Physics, Chemistry I Honors,
Chemistry II Honors, Advanced Placement Chemistry, Biology I Honors, and Biology II
Honors. Besides these, I have taken English classes, history classes, band, and Career
Technical Education classes. The CTE courses are Principles of Engineering,
Engineering Design I, and Engineering Design II. Also, I have worked as an intern at a
chemical company. This internship brought me valuable engineering experience.
One day after school, I asked my brother about the University of Tennessees
engineering program and the admission requirements.
They have a great engineering program that is continuing to grow, he told me.
If I am remembering correctly, the College of Engineering requires a minimum ACT
math score of 25 or an SAT math score of 570. The admissions process is fairly

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competitive, and it is based off of students GPAs, their completion of required high
school courses, and standardized test scores. Extracurricular activities and letters of
recommendation are also important factors in this process.
The University of Tennessee has programs in chemical engineering, biomolecular
engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, electrical engineering,
computer science, industrial engineering, information engineering, materials science,
mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, and nuclear
engineering. Various undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered within these
programs. I have chosen to get a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. If I
wanted, I could even extend my education and get a Master of Science in Mechanical
Engineering or a Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering.
Attending a four-year university supplies me with many more options than a
college of applied technology or a community college would. I can choose from a much
larger variety of degrees from the University of Tennessee. With an undergraduate or
graduate degree, I have endless job options open to me. My college education will be
invaluable throughout my life.

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Works Cited
Chattanooga State Community College. Chattanooga State Community College. Web. 13
August 2015.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville. Tennessee College of Applied
Technology. Web. 12 August 2015.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville. Tennessee College of Applied
Technology. Web. 14 August 2015.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. University of Tennessee. Web. 14 August 2015.