<p>I narrowed my college options down to Tufts and CMU. I'll be studying engineering next year (probably biomedical), and both schools have good programs in this area. I haven't had a chance to visit either campus, so I just have an idea of the schools from the brouchures, websites, etc.</p>
<p>I'd love any advice from you guys. Thanks!</p>
<p>Are you not entirely sure you want to major in engineering or something? Reason I ask is that Tufts has a relatively "weak" engineering school and CMU rules at engineering. Very, very different schools.</p>
<p>CMU of course. Better in everything including: academics, quality of education, salary, job opportunities, prestige.</p>
<p>xulinny, my daughter was in the same position as you 4 years ago, right down to the interest in biomed engineering. She visited both schools and chose Tufts. Here's why: CMU expects you to be very sure about your major from day 1. It is difficult to switch majors once you arrive and there is relatively little opportunity to take advanced classes outside your area. (For example, forget about taking a drama or art class---they're for majors only.) Tufts is a lot more flexible. My daughter ended up being able to pursue her interests outside of engineering and still graduate with a dual degree. You should also look around the campuses and ask yourself where you want to live for the next 4 years. Tufts is situated on a hill and it seems like you have to walk uphill to get to almost anywhere (fun in the middle of winter); on the other hand, it's close to Cambridge and Boston. CMU has a compact, pleasant campus next to both a park and an upscale shopping area (Shadyside). But, Pittsburgh is no Boston. So, you need to think about whether CMU or Tufts has the atmosphere better suited to your needs. They are both well-respected schools and your degree will be valued no matter which one you choose.</p>
<p>"Here's why: CMU expects you to be very sure about your major from day 1."
Wrong. </p>
<p>"It is difficult to switch majors once you arrive and there is relatively little opportunity to take advanced classes outside your area."</p>
<p>Wrong.</p>
<p>The only thing that makes sense is Boston is preferable over Pittsburgh (#1 largest college city vs 2nd largest). CMU is only second to Rice in double majoring and everyone who has even done the smallest research knows how much CMU encourages double majoring or dipping in other schools.</p>
<p>AcceptedAlready,
That was a concern for us, too. Last year, the public meetings certainly implied, if not said outright, that CMU was best for students who had a pretty good idea of their goals and path. Seriously, they did. I believe it was run by the admissions office people, where you work. Perhaps part of the reason they said this was that you have to actually apply to another program if you want to change, rather than just changing majors like you do in many other schools. Also, there is not alot of opportunity to dabble in fine arts. I'm don't know about sampling classes in a school like CS or Tepper - can one do that by simply signing up? Anyway, it is something to consider and definitely something to check out if it is important to you.</p>
<p>AcceptedAlready, as a doctoral graduate of CMU I am well acquainted with the university. I second lkf725's observations, which match my own and have been echoed by the faculty I keep in contact with. Again: xulinny should visit both campuses in person if finances permit, speak with the students and faculty, and draw his or her own conclusions on the better fit.</p>
<p>As for double majoring, I never said it was difficult to double major---I said that taking advanced classes outside of one's school was difficult. Indeed, if a prospective engineering student has interests in the implications of technology to the larger society, I think that that person should consider a double major with Engineering and Public Policy. It is a very strong department.</p>
<p>Educating students on a career-path does not mean you are restricted to one major and to one decision. Do you know how many kids transfer schools and change majors? Do you know how many ugrad kids are double majoring? There is a reason there are almost no restrictions on double majoring.</p>
<p>Just because we build students up for a career does NOT mean we limit their choices IN ANY WAY. You can focus all on CS if you want but if you were to ask last year's graduating seniors or search them up on facebook, MANY have double majors in unrelated fields and have minored (they are REQUIRED) in different fields as well.</p>
<p>I don't think taking advanced classes are difficult either as that is just another way of double majoring. You just do not have priority in choosing some upper level classes but the faculty here are very understanding and a simple email can get you off a waitlist.</p>
<p>To reiterate: Focusing on a career DOES NOT MEAN restricting majors or fields. At the least, CMU has more field sampling than Tufts and top programs in which to sample in (CS, business, engineering, drama/arts, etc).</p>
<p>
[quote]
Just because we build students up for a career does NOT mean we limit their choices IN ANY WAY
[/quote]
Who is "we"? I am confused...it sounds like you are speaking as an admissions representative, but I thought you were a freshman. No offense intended and I think it is great that you offer your enthusiastic freshman perspective, but when push comes to shove, potential students and parents should be sure they know the official facts. It would be very disappointing to matriculate thinking you can take an elective in CS, Music or w/e, only to find that courses are restricted to those previously accepted to that school. In addition to your perspective, Dr. David, parents and other students have something to offer, too. :)</p>
<p>I am interested in being a tour guide. Is it so wrong I used we? I probably know more about the college and post-grad data than faculty/students. </p>
<p>Official facts? No offense but what FACTS have you offered? I've offered avg salaries and links to post-grad data as well as REAL POLICIES on encouraging double majors. Are you saying CMU does not encourage majoring in other fields or dabbling in other fields?</p>
<p>I think you should shed your generalizations and prejudice over age. I have studied admissions for a long time WAY before college started. Just because I am 18 does not mean I an unqualified to speak about my college. Would it help if I was an actual tour guide aged around 30?</p>
<p>Please show me some data on why students can't take CS/Music courses. Music courses are more limited than CS stuff but it is false to say we can't take classes in other courses. I AM PERSUING a CS double major and I have taken 211. Why would CMU bar you from taking the courses required for a double major? Yes I've addressed the priority issue where CS students get priority over classes but I've also addressed that solution.</p>
<p>Can you please list what problems you have with me and my facts?</p>
<p>acceptedalready lol... WHERE DO YOU GET THE TIME!!!</p>
<p>I get a text msg on my phone everytime someone answers me on this msg board.</p>
<p>I'm just a bit disturbed as why people would criticize cold facts such as CMU being a great school to double major in and try new fields in. I HAVE said that certain classes are limited and that students in a school get priority in classes. However that does not mean you can't complete a double major. Look at UCLA where the avg grad time is 5 years because they are overpopulated and cannot fit everyone into the same classes.</p>
<p>This almost never happens at CMU because even if you are on the waitlist, an email to the professor can solve that. Can you take minicourses that are for certain majors only? No. Can you take major music courses? No (Why would you want to). Can you take advanced business/engineering/etc. courses? Yes. Can you double major in 4 years? Yes. Is trying new fields and courses recommended? Yes.</p>
<p>AcceptedAlready,
I have no problem with you at all (I said that I meant no offense!) I think it is admirable that you are helping so many to find info about CMU and your enthusiasm for the university shows. That's great!</p>
<p>Because you speak with such authority (like when you use the first person plural), it may seem that you are involved officially with admissions. If by some chance you give wrong information sometime (and if folks don't bother to verify it), it would be unfortunate if things didn't work out as they expected.</p>
<p>I also have been involved with CMU for many years, as have others in my family, and know alot about the school. From what I know, and from what I heard at meetings, it is not the most adaptable place for students who want to sample, search and find their interest. It is awesome for those who know where they want to go and how to get there. It is superior for employability. I never got the impression, though, that CMU was the ultimate in flexibility.</p>
<p>Ah , ok :). I'll try not to stretch the powers of implication. </p>
<p>I don't know what happened with regards to your experiences but I have had almost no trouble in double majoring (and I don't think Walden, the other main poster here, has either). </p>
<p>I mean, having a REQUIREMENT (not all schools) of having a minor alone should show how they encourage at least SOMEWHAT of a dabbling in other fields. </p>
<p>I guess I will end with saying: I am double majoring, Walden is double majoring, and so are many of my peers (if any students have facebook for CMU plz PM me and I'll give you my name so you can verify this). It is not discouraged and CMU is more flexible than most think :)</p>
<p>Amazing coincidence, I am making EXACTLY the same choice. Same schools, same major. Definatly tell me if you find out anything making one school preferable to the other and what your final decision is.</p>
<p>CMU it is.</p>
<p>I was leaning towards it before, just wanted to get some input. Major hesitations were probably location, social life and the like, but a better engineering program is top priority for me. Plus, it sounds like students there now are enjoying it. </p>
<p>I'm going for that double major.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice everyone!</p>
<p>hahhaah. im having the same problem as well... but im leaning towards tufts, just because i like the living standards there more... teh proximity to the city, nice campus, good food.. etc. etc. though cmu will probably prepare me slightly better and give me more oppurtunities. </p>
<p>i do think that Dr. David and lfk was trying to say that you have more flexibility at tufts in terms of just taking any kind of courses without needing to major in it, as compared to cmu which you CAN double major, but you have less of a chance to 'sample' around very different courses just for fun with ease. i guess?</p>
<p>That is what I was disagreeing with. You can take classes in any "school" just by signing up though you won't get priority; even if you are not minoring or double majoring in that school/field.</p>
<p>There are limits I admitted like the major drama/musical courses where you actually have to have TALENT and certain track courses which are like focuses within a major such as senior projects.</p>
<p>My example was that I am a prospective double major in CS and I am taking comp sci courses without being an official CS major.</p>
<p>Anyways, seems like the op made up his mind anyways. Congrats and I know you won't regret it once you are hitting the avg 55-60+k salaries while Tufts is around mid 40ks.</p>
<p>To add to this, it may be much different now than it was 4 years ago. As a current student in CIT I can say that it is NOT hard to change engineering majors. As a freshman you have an empty plate in front of you. You can take as long as your 3rd semester to choose your major and even then you can change. The curriculum in terms of gen ed courses are pretty much the same for all engineering majors and even if they're different it isn't that hard to catch up. CMU does a good job of showing you every field of engineering and you do NOT need to know your major before attending.</p>
<p>Take me for example, I entered CIT thinking I'd be a Mech E/Biomed double major but now, at the end of my Freshman year, I'll be double majoring in ECE and Economics.</p>
<p>Also, to add:</p>
<p>It's relatively simple to take courses outside of your major (i.e music, art, whatever) provided you have the prereqs (and if you dont have the prereqs, then you probably shouldnt be taking the class anyway)</p>