<p>I've kind of been Lurking here for a while, but I was just recently accepted into some schools and was hoping for some input on where to go, since I really don't have a first choice. You guys are always so insightful ;) </p>
<p>I'm planning on studying Computer Science/Computer Engineering and also minor in Economics or French Literature because it's fun. I'd like to work in engineering and/or finance, so I don't want to go to just an engineering school...</p>
<p>My parents are wowed by the name of Columbia, but I'm unimpressed with their engineering program. (How integrated are the two schools anyway? The acceptance rates are so different...) Duke has a bad rep from lacrosse... Dartmouth is rather small (and cold!)... Brown is kind of hippie-ish. Alas :P I also got a regents scholarship at Berkeley and a full ride* to Rice and Vanderbilt, but it doesn't really matter much to me because my parents can afford it and I secretly wish they gave it to someone else but anyway. </p>
<p>What do you guys think? Based on prestige/job prospects/graduate acceptance rates, because that's what matters when you don't care? Based on actual academic quality? And I already know Brown is tops for wonderful undergraduate experience ;P</p>
<p>Columbia SEAS is reputedly not nearly as good as Columbia College. I know CMU and Berkeley are famous for engineering and cs. The rest are awesome schools, and you'd get an awesome (probably better all around) education at any of them but sacrafice the professional emphasis in engineering (I didn't know engineers applied to Dartmouth). It looks like a very hard choice. Good luck.</p>
<p>Brown
Rice/CMU
Duke
Berkeley/Columbia
Dartmouth
Vanderbilt</p>
<p>Roughly the way I'd put them. Rice is the best bargain, but I think Brown would be a better fit since finances aren't an issue. CMU is awesome in computer science and business, but the social scene is lacking compared to the other colleges on your list, in my opinion.</p>
<p>If you want to work in Finance and are just majoring in engineering:</p>
<p>Dartmouth/ Brown
Duke/ Columbia SEAS
Berkeley/ Vanderbilt/ Rice
CMU</p>
<p>Brown and Dartmouth win for me for overall college experience, I would easily choose between these two. They have scores of connections into Wall Street, are among the top 7 at placing grads into top professional schools, and have tight alumni networks. Some might prefer Columbia, personally I think the overall college experience of B and D is much stronger and SEAS would be a personal turnoff. But community and a "tight knit" feel matter much more to me than access to a city I will have for the rest of my life.</p>
<p>Wow. What helpful responses. Do you think Brown would still win in this analysis if you didn't consider the "better" undergraduate experience? I mean, I guess I'm (like other people!) willing to sacrifice four years of my life to get ahead. =P Shouldn't Berkeley be a lot higher? I thought it would be second on my list after Brown... you know, at Cal they tell you "go here cause it shows people you're tough and you're not AFRAID!" -__-</p>
<p>But hey, in the true spirit of independence, who's afraid of stereotypes, right?</p>
<p>Banks recruit based on prestige and old school alumni connections more so than specific program ranks. Go to Brown, its in no way lesser than any other school on the list. I would argue that it, along with Dartmouth and Duke, is at the top of recruiting lists.</p>
<p>if you are thinking finance, then Dartmouth/Brown would be tops on the list. (Dartmouth's engineering program is five years, but, unlike most other engineering programs, you WILL learn how to write before you leave Hanover.)</p>
<p>If finance (and the Wall Street connections) are not important, then choose Rice. The full ride automatically puts you into a different sphere for counseling/advising and research opportunities -- you will get first pick. Small classes, great undergrad experience, residential housing, unless you want competitive D1 sports.</p>
<p>If you are thinking of Finance.. I would definitely say that Dartmouth would be a good fit. However.. if you really are interested in Engineering, out of the schools on your list, I would really consider Duke.</p>
<p>But no one KNOWS Brown's CS program! It's like top secret! :P So the recruiters at Intel and Google and Microsoft will be like--"YOU CHOSE THE HIPPIE SCHOOL OVER CARNEGIE MELLON?!" and I'll be like >_____> just kidding. I really like Brown.</p>
<p>Both CMU and Rice were pioneers in the computer science/ computer engineering fields and both are highly regarded by intel insiders (google John Doerr). Rice has a residential college system that sets it apart from the others in your list.</p>