<p>Right now, my school has a 3/2 program in which I can go to either Wash U in St. Louis or Columbia University. I'm from the northeast and go to a small catholic school in the northeast. I have plenty of time to think this over as I'm only a freshman but just trying to get an idea about both schools. I've looked at the rankings for mechanical and aeronautical engineering (both of which I'm interested in but not sure if they even offer aeronautical). It looks like Columbia is a higher rated school but that's to the disgression of the students. I guess I have to have a 3.0 in my major classes to get into Columbia and a 3.25 to get into Wash U. GPA's not going to be an issue with me though as I'm a very motivated and hard worker. I'm just wondering from someone who has seen the schools, attended them, or knows a little about them, which you like better? Any input would be great.</p>
<p>I'd go for Columbia. Beyond the prestige, it is in an awesome location and has better aid.</p>
<p>However, I've gotten the impression that WashU is making a great effort to improve by spending a lot on faculty and facilities, and by attracting more applicants.</p>
<p>You should know that Columbia does not offer aeronautical engineering.</p>
<p>Columbia seems to have a lot of 3/2 programs with a wide mix of colleges: Fairfield (CT) Fordum. etc. What's the overall deal? Is the last two years a mishmash of mixed social and academic scrambling?</p>
<p>I noticed that UTexas-austin engineering numbers jump way up in senior year. Are they bringing in senior year engineering students from other UT campuses, or are the senior numbers on ASEE website really 4th a nd 5th year number lumped together - implying that nobody gets through in 4 years?</p>
<p>"There are over ninety liberal arts colleges and universities, including those colleges at Columbia, in which a student can enroll in a Combined Plan program leading to two degrees."</p>
<p>It's an attempt to allow students who attend a liberal arts colleges to still receive degrees in technical/engineering fields - since, typically (though exceptions exist) LA schools don't tend to have said degrees available.</p>