<p>as an illinois resident looking at both UIUC and CMU for computer engineering, could you guys talk about the advantages of CMU over UIUC?</p>
<p>I'm no authority on the matter, but CMU's reputation in CE is just slightly better than UIUC's. But UIUC still has a fantastic program that is probably just as good as CMU's, and will be much cheaper for you to attend.</p>
<p>With either school, you'll recieve an excellent education in CE. I think you need to decide based on the campus, environment, social life, etc. Make a visit to each campus and see which one you would be more comfortable living at for four years.</p>
<p>I hope that helps a bit. :)</p>
<p>edit: btw, nice username. initials + birthdate is the way to go! lol</p>
<p>Jobs (Microsoft, Google links)
Education (you won't ever feel like a number)</p>
<p>Do yourself a favor and take a look at CMU's job placement. There is a reason Google's new office in Pitts is heading a CMU professor. The Gates building is another sign of the dominance in computers/engineering.</p>
<p>yeah isn't cmu supposed to have a really amazing computer engineering program? i haven't really heard much about u of i's computer engineering but i know my cousin majored in CE there and had sevvvverrralll job offers immediately upon graduation and ended up in a very good, very high paying job at a bank in chicago.</p>
<p>[bja1288] CMU was ranked # 3 in Computer Engineering in the latest 2007 US News & World Report Guide to Best Colleges. UIUC on the other hand was ranked # 5 (not much of a difference then as far as ranking is concerned). However, my personal impression is that a CMU degree in anything related to computers carries far more prestige among job recruiters than a corresponding UIUC degree (I have no hard data to back that claim though). CMU also has the advantage of a more flexible curriculum and an interdisciplinary approach to undergraduate education and research. </p>
<p>Keep in mind CMU does not offer a separate Computer Engineering (CE) major, but rather a joint B.S. degree in ECE (Electrical and Computer Engineering) that can be orientated either towards traditional EE, traditional CE, or a combination of both. Basically, you will have to take 10 or so math/science/computer programming core classes, plus two Introduction to Engineering classes (one in ECE and another in a second engineering specialty) followed by a few ECE core classes (Fundamentals of EE, Fundamentals of CE, Mathematical Foundations of EE). You can choose then to specialize in CE through your choice of classes in the breadth, depth, coverage and capstone design sequences (approximately seven additional
classes from the ECE curriculum). Further specialization is possible also by the ample choice you will have of free electives (51 units beyond the aforementioned required curriculum, with most classes having typically 9 or 12 units), which may be chosen among courses offered by any school/college within CMU including, for CE-orientated students, the world-famous Robotics Institute and the School of Computer Science (SCS). Finally, on top of your technical ECE education, you wil also have to complete 72 extra units on Humanities, Social Sciences and Fine Arts, giving you also a parallel LAC-like education. </p>
<p>Academics aside, in the end though, I guess the main question for you is to decide whether you would rather go to a big state school close to home (where you will most likely be treated as a number), or, alternatively, experience life in a comparatively small private university in another state, where you will get more individual attention. I'd personally go with the second choice, but that is up to you to decide.</p>
<p>We had exactly the same decision with our son and chose CMU because of its size and individual attention. At one visit I asked the CS Admin what my son would get for the additional $100,000 - one answer was the faculty and research opportunities. During Orientation, we got a very strong feeling of the interest CMU has in each student - they hand pick their class and want every student to succeed and will do whatever it takes to help them achieve their goals. We have already experienced that individual care with a housing problem. We've also heard from the parent of a current student that the SCS department is very caring. Re statistics - don't know UIUC, but at CMU out of every 100 students in SCS, 15 change majors, 80 graduate in the major, and 5 leave the university for various reasons. That sounds like a very high retention rate to me! So for a self-achiever who can keep themselves on track, UIUC would provide an excellent education. For our son, we wanted a place where someone would notice if he needed assistance and reach out to him.</p>
<p>"(I have no hard data to back that claim though). "</p>
<p>I do. <a href="http://www.cmu.edu%5B/url%5D">www.cmu.edu</a> and type in career center and do postgrad surveys. Compare them and compare the actual POSITIONS AND JOBS as well. The median is way higher and Microsoft/Google are hugely represented.</p>
<p>So Marilyn, How was move in? Did you get to see the sights of Oakland, Squirell Hill, and ShadySide?</p>
<p>Hi itstoomuch-</p>
<p>This should probably be on the Parents board...</p>
<p>We had dinner up on Mt. Washington Saturday night at Bella Vista with a fabulous view - right into the football stadium during the Steelers pre-game opener, not to mention all of Pittsburgh which looked great. Move in was quite traumatic since there had been an abrupt housing change one week earlier and my S ended up in an isolated suite - great if that's what you want but not at all what he expected, plus suitemates to deal with. We're still in the process of working out if he stays there or goes. That's part of the individual attention I mentioned - the head of the housing department is working with him to make sure he settles into the right place. But it put quite a damper on the last few hours! The trauma made the first week much more difficult than it would have been anyway. We did get to the Waterfront to shop and drove through Shadyside and Schenley Park, and ate (at a Subway) in Oakland. I finally got a couple of phone calls that didn't include the phrase "I hate..." so things may be looking up!</p>
<p>Encourage S to join a couple of clubs. The clubs saved our kid from a less than ideal roommates. If he plays an instrument join the band/orchestra for nonmajors. The Fringe (coed, <a href="http://www.fringe.org%5B/url%5D">www.fringe.org</a>) for socializing, engineering, buggys, for independents (nonfrats kids). The clubs get the students mixed into upperclassmen. These clubs meet regularly and he can participate all 4 years.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the comments- Although this is less usual, I actually find that I dont really need/ want that individual attention from professors, seeing as I am very self-motivated, and I like to figure out things on my own. In high school, the only time I have conversations with my teachers is when I discuss expectations for assignments... Although this could all be a result of me being shy.. So Im definitely open to the attention because I am sure that it would be good for me, but UIUC seems like too good of a deal to pass up, not to mention the fact that it fits my lack of a need for attention
PLus, although I know this is a stereotype, Im not really into the geek culture of computer majors, and UIUC would definitely have the student body for me to find my niche...</p>
<p>bja-</p>
<p>It sounds like you are certainly making the right decision for what you want from a college experience. UIUC has something like 1000 clubs so you are sure to find your way. And if you are that self-motivated you will do great! And save a lot of money.</p>
<p>itstoomuch - he is looking into clubs (not as many as UIUC!) and I suggested the Fringe might be a good choice - thanks for the advice! He's non athletic and non musical - into video gaming but wants to feel mainstream - so that might be just the ticket.</p>
<p>My S picked CMU over other schools for the interdisciplinary approach and the size of the school. He is in SCS. He has a good friend who is going to UIUC for Computer Engineering. The friend wanted a larger school - and he got better aid. bja - I say go for Illinois if you don't mind a bigger school - particularly since you are in-state.</p>
<p>Marylin - my son is in Morewood E. He doesn't play sports, but joined an ultimate frisbee team. He and his roomate signed on to the red team -they do the DARPA challenge. He also doesn't play an instrument. 8 of his classmates from H.S. are at CMU though (including roomate) - so he started out with a core group of friends. Sometimes I think that makes it easier. He also likes video games and brought a game cube system to school (I hope it doesn't interfere w/homework too much!)</p>
<p>The Fringe: the teal with dual racing stripes was his buggy> It placed in 2005 races and in other competitions. Son also sold a lot of popcorn at the Fringe movies, plus got to see the movie of the week for free (saved himself a bucko and had all the popcorn he could eat, he's quite a squirrel.) The outings got him to explore Pittsburgh. My wife and I cannot believe how much fun and activities he had at CMU in contrast to our sheltered college days.</p>
<p>A lot of kids from the DC feeder schools.</p>
<p>My question is: How are you making this decision in Sept? Applications haven't started and the '10 class has already started. Did you get an auto-in to Urbana and are deciding whether or not to apply?</p>
<p>PS: By attention I dont' mean your professors stalk you. The help is there at your discretion and the resources include worldwide competitions and recognition at top companies.</p>
<p>If interested, the honors program at UIUC would offer opportunites for research and faculty interaction. Probably not equivalent to what's offered at CMU but it still can make the large U seem a bit smaller.</p>
<p>no im not auto accepted but i figure im pretty safe</p>
<p>not having to live in urbana-champaign, size (depending on what you want)</p>
<p>of course if you are in-state UIUC would be really hard to pass up, in your situation I'm not sure what I would do. I mean I like it here at CMU so far but UIUC has really good programs for a lot less money......In the end this might not matter that much since you can make serious $ with a degree in ECE from CMU, but if it means a difference in your quality of life while in college that might be something to think about (everyone has a different situation)</p>
<p>i hadnt heard of an honors program at the u of i... i know other state u's have them though ne1 know for sure?</p>
<p>UIUC has an honors college in engineering for all students over a certain ACT score; also a Chancellors Scholar program for about 125 students campus-wide. Just search UIUC honors.</p>