This Week’s College: Webb Institute, Glen Cove, New York
Webb Institute is another top engineering program in the United States. It’s very much a niche program however as it is entirely Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (all 91 students major in it). However 100% of their graduates are placed in paying jobs upon graduation. And, as they like to say, if you can design a ship, you can design anything. Oh, and did I mention it’s free?
With an impressive 7:1 student faculty ratio, you will get a lot of individualized attention at Webb. The main building of campus is actually the former home of Herbert L. Pratt, the son of one of the original owners of Standard Oil. Not only will you work closely with professionals and professors, but you’ll have a sprawling 26 acre property with its own beach to do it on. It will be this setting that you will make your home in as you enjoy your four years at Webb, developing the skills you need to become a leader in your field, the ethics you will use when you leave, and the broad based knowledge of the fundamentals of naval architecture and marine engineering.
At Webb you will dive into hands on engineering from day one. There are no gen ed requirements here that you spend your first year trudging through. You will take 146 credits in your time at Webb and you’ll choose them based on your interests, passions, and goals. Whether you’re choosing between electrical engineering or statics, what you want to do is up to you. You can attend Monday lectures by faculty, professionals, or others who can give you insights into the field. The Zeien Lecture Series brings in CEOs, politicians, filmmakers, and more to talk about their work. Whether they are discussing the rebuilding of the World Trade Center or the design of the Queen Mary II, these lectures are meant to help students see their futures.
Another unique aspect of Webb is what’s referred to as Winter Work Term. Each winter term, students do an internship which gives them invaluable job skills, allows them to see their learning in practice, and also helps them to network with businesses and companies. Students spend time with places like Newport News Shipbuilding, Metal Shark Boats, Bath Iron Works, ExxonMobil, Herbert Engineering, Carnival Cruise Lines, Maran, and more. Many of these will go on to hire the Webbies (as they are called) who have worked for them during Winter Term.
The seniors have a final project that they complete. Their abstracts are available online and they work in pairs or individually depending on interest. These range from “The Design and Construction of a Multipurpose Autonomous Surface Vessel” to “Preliminary Design and Cost Analysis of a Floating Apartment Building” to “Converting Vortex-Induced Vibration Into Useful Energy: An Investigation Into the Dynamics of a Self-Exciting Elastically Mounted Foil.”
Like other colleges, Webb has some clubs and some sports. Obviously, sailing is probably at the top of the list for varsity. But they also have basketball, soccer, tennis, and volleyball at the varsity level. For intramurals there is a wider variety (think Ultimate Frisbee, Dodgeball, Fencing, and Triathalon), and as to be expected, a good boathouse with scow, 420s, lasers, windsurfers and more.
Students live and eat on the grounds of Webb. The campus is 26 acres and has its own beach (with barbeques for use near the boathouse actually). The dining hall offers 3 meals a day and students are required to live on campus. Not much to complain about though since so many rooms have a view of Long Island Sound.
So what’s it like to apply? It’s pretty selective, taking only 38% of those who apply. They’re looking for a student who is in the 1470+ range on the SATs/ 30-33 on the ACTs. GPA is important and they’d like it to be in the 3.75 and up level (92% are 3.75 and up). They definitely want 4 years of math and ideally would like calculus but you’ll have to retake it any way. They don’t give credit for APs (they’re not alone in this!).
Webb is unique to say the least. If you’re looking for a very customized approach, this is a great place. And you can’t do better than a free college engineering education.
Pros:
Cons:
Webb Institute is another top engineering program in the United States. It’s very much a niche program however as it is entirely Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (all 91 students major in it). However 100% of their graduates are placed in paying jobs upon graduation. And, as they like to say, if you can design a ship, you can design anything. Oh, and did I mention it’s free?
With an impressive 7:1 student faculty ratio, you will get a lot of individualized attention at Webb. The main building of campus is actually the former home of Herbert L. Pratt, the son of one of the original owners of Standard Oil. Not only will you work closely with professionals and professors, but you’ll have a sprawling 26 acre property with its own beach to do it on. It will be this setting that you will make your home in as you enjoy your four years at Webb, developing the skills you need to become a leader in your field, the ethics you will use when you leave, and the broad based knowledge of the fundamentals of naval architecture and marine engineering.
At Webb you will dive into hands on engineering from day one. There are no gen ed requirements here that you spend your first year trudging through. You will take 146 credits in your time at Webb and you’ll choose them based on your interests, passions, and goals. Whether you’re choosing between electrical engineering or statics, what you want to do is up to you. You can attend Monday lectures by faculty, professionals, or others who can give you insights into the field. The Zeien Lecture Series brings in CEOs, politicians, filmmakers, and more to talk about their work. Whether they are discussing the rebuilding of the World Trade Center or the design of the Queen Mary II, these lectures are meant to help students see their futures.
Another unique aspect of Webb is what’s referred to as Winter Work Term. Each winter term, students do an internship which gives them invaluable job skills, allows them to see their learning in practice, and also helps them to network with businesses and companies. Students spend time with places like Newport News Shipbuilding, Metal Shark Boats, Bath Iron Works, ExxonMobil, Herbert Engineering, Carnival Cruise Lines, Maran, and more. Many of these will go on to hire the Webbies (as they are called) who have worked for them during Winter Term.
The seniors have a final project that they complete. Their abstracts are available online and they work in pairs or individually depending on interest. These range from “The Design and Construction of a Multipurpose Autonomous Surface Vessel” to “Preliminary Design and Cost Analysis of a Floating Apartment Building” to “Converting Vortex-Induced Vibration Into Useful Energy: An Investigation Into the Dynamics of a Self-Exciting Elastically Mounted Foil.”
Like other colleges, Webb has some clubs and some sports. Obviously, sailing is probably at the top of the list for varsity. But they also have basketball, soccer, tennis, and volleyball at the varsity level. For intramurals there is a wider variety (think Ultimate Frisbee, Dodgeball, Fencing, and Triathalon), and as to be expected, a good boathouse with scow, 420s, lasers, windsurfers and more.
Students live and eat on the grounds of Webb. The campus is 26 acres and has its own beach (with barbeques for use near the boathouse actually). The dining hall offers 3 meals a day and students are required to live on campus. Not much to complain about though since so many rooms have a view of Long Island Sound.
So what’s it like to apply? It’s pretty selective, taking only 38% of those who apply. They’re looking for a student who is in the 1470+ range on the SATs/ 30-33 on the ACTs. GPA is important and they’d like it to be in the 3.75 and up level (92% are 3.75 and up). They definitely want 4 years of math and ideally would like calculus but you’ll have to retake it any way. They don’t give credit for APs (they’re not alone in this!).
Webb is unique to say the least. If you’re looking for a very customized approach, this is a great place. And you can’t do better than a free college engineering education.
Pros:
- Did I mention it is FREE????
- Tons of hands on experience
- 100% graduate job placement
Cons:
- Super specialized
- So so so small
- Incredibly hard work