Today, August 19 2016, is Olivia Coca's first day living among fellow engineering students and profesors at Boise State University. Hundreds of other applicants cannot enjoy the privilege due to strong demand. The school says they perform better, and professors say the students have a better shot at a strong career due to the strong academic foundation it builds.
"Everything in this room," she says as she unpacks a red suitcase with her belongings, "someone had to design it. I want to be the person who designs the next big thing that everyone needs."
In her new living situation, she's surrounded by engineers at every turn. "They're going to be people going through the same things as me. They're taking the same classes. They're going ot have the same passion that I do... like, where would I be if I didn't have this program?" she says.
A professor who's been with the program since it had just around 20 engineering students, Dr. Pakala, says the program gives students strong advantages. "They realize they can start looking for their careers from day one. The GPA's are better than anyone's on campus," he says.
