<p>My daughter has just been admitted to the enginering schools at Northwestern and Wash U. She wants to double major in Chemical Engineering and Social Policy/Political Science. I believe that Northwestern's program is more highly regarded but wonder if you could advise. No concerns about geography, all concerns about quality of education.</p>
<p>NU has a unique introductory engineering curriculum described in here: <a href=“http://www.ijee.dit.ie/articles/Vol13-6/ijee973.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ijee.dit.ie/articles/Vol13-6/ijee973.pdf</a></p>
<p>I would say Northwestern’s engineering program is more highly regarded. My guess is that chem E is ranked in the 20-30 range for Northwestern. I don’t remember exactly. But the prestige of an undergrad degree in engineering at NU is, of course, boosted by the prestige of Northwestern in general.</p>
<p>Wash U’s controversial engineering dean is stepping down at the end of the year, and I believe the engineering program is experiencing some turmoil.
<a href=“http://media.www.studlife.com/media/storage/paper337/news/2008/02/27/News/Embattled.Engineering.Dean.To.Step.Down-3235688.shtml[/url]”>http://media.www.studlife.com/media/storage/paper337/news/2008/02/27/News/Embattled.Engineering.Dean.To.Step.Down-3235688.shtml</a></p>
<p>I actually did my chemE at Northwestern. For a long time, it’s ranked in the 10-20 range actually so when I saw that it’s ranked the 23rd in the latest USN, I thought it’s underrated!! That said, the core curriculum is very similar across many schools. I personally think it’s the “Engineering First”, not the difference in 20 spots or whatever in published ranking, that makes greater difference. One more thing, the chemE at NU recently changed its name to chem and bio engineering and a course in bio is now part of the core. A lot of chemE work in biotech these days.</p>
<p>Wash U has neither the money nor tradition to have a top engineering program.</p>
<p>Wash U has a sizeable endowment so I don’t know what you mean by not having the money for a top engineering program. There are plans to build a new engineering building in the very near future. By all accounts it is going to be top notch. WUSTL is working hard to improve the quality of all of their programs. Many of their programs are already very highly regarded. It appears that engineering is slated to be one of the next programs that they are going to emphasize. My son is an engineering major at WUSTL (not chemical, though) so feel free to PM me. </p>
<p>Another factor you should consider, Momster, is the fact that it is relatively easy to double major at WUSTL. Don’t know if that is true at NU or not.</p>
<p>Most endowment funds are restricted to certain schools or uses. Without a big history in engineering it seems unlikely the engineering school is all that flush.</p>
<p>Northwestern engineering is very hands on with many opportunities for real world experience. As long as she likes the campus and is a bit competitive the choice is Northwestern. </p>
<p>The curriculum there really is unique.</p>
<p>What is a “big history” in engineering?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Things change…</p>
<p>If it makes you feel any better, Sam, all you have to do is look at that 'furd diploma hanging on your wall. ;)</p>
<p>I would choose Northwestern as well, assuming costs are similar.</p>
<p>Here’s the latest 2008 USNWR rankings for undergraduate chemical engineering:
1 Massachusetts Inst. of Technology<br>
2 University of California–Berkeley *
3 Univ. of Minnesota–Twin Cities *
4 Stanford University (CA)
5 Univ. of Wisconsin–Madison *
6 California Institute of Technology<br>
7 Princeton University (NJ)
8 U. of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign *
9 University of Texas–Austin *
10 University of Delaware *
11 Georgia Institute of Technology *
11 University of Michigan–Ann Arbor *
13 Cornell University (NY)
14 Carnegie Mellon University ¶
15 Purdue Univ.–West Lafayette (IN)*
16 Pennsylvania State U.–University Park *
17 Texas A&M Univ.–College Station *
17 Univ. of California–Santa Barbara *
19 North Carolina State U.–Raleigh *
20 Rice University (TX)
20 University of Pennsylvania<br>
22 Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. (NY)
23 Iowa State University *
23 Northwestern University (IL)
23 University of Notre Dame (IN)
23 University of Virginia *
23 University of Washington *</p>
<p>Producing lots of grads who give back to engineering. Being known in the field for research. I checked Wash U’s engineering research spending. A tiny $15 Million. The better engineering schools spend 10 times that. That makes it hard to recruit top faculty.</p>
<p>Outside of BME, this is not a great time to be in engineering at Wash U. The dean’s stepping down </p>
<p>[Embattled</a> engineering dean to step down - News](<a href=“http://media.www.studlife.com/media/storage/paper337/news/2008/02/27/News/Embattled.Engineering.Dean.To.Step.Down-3235688.shtml]Embattled”>http://media.www.studlife.com/media/storage/paper337/news/2008/02/27/News/Embattled.Engineering.Dean.To.Step.Down-3235688.shtml)</p>
<p>is just emblematic of longstanding problems. Complaints of poor teaching quality and limited depth in sections related to or in spite of poor funding have been pretty pervasive complaints by undergrads.</p>
<p>“Throughout her tenure, Sansalone had come under fire for several controversial changes, including the merging of several departments and budget cuts in response to the school’s financial situation.”</p>
<p>I agree with M’sMom that this is likely to change for the better. But the evolution will take years and unlikely benefit current or entering students. Wash U in engineering cannot yet compare to the strong, deeply respected across-the-board offerings at Northwestern.</p>
<p>UCBChemEGrad,</p>
<p>You have grad ranking? Maybe NU is within top-20 there, right where I think it should be!!! :rolleyes: </p>
<p>By the way, “that 'furd diploma” wasn’t in chemE.</p>
<p>No, I don’t have the grad rankings. </p>
<p>I think USNews is reissuing rankings, because if I try to buy them, I can’t…says access only till March 15, 2008 (2007 rankings). </p>
<p>I do subscribe to the rag, so if they’re published in the magazine I’ll let you know…but, they prob want you to pay $14.95 for full rankings on the website.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity what is your 'furd degree in, if you’re willing to share?</p>
<p>What “furd” degree? I tell if you name it properly. :)</p>
<p>^ LOL…sorry. Your glorified Stanford degree… The one with the huge gold plated seal. :p</p>
<p>Env Engg. :)</p>
<p>^ Ah cool…counterbalancing that “evil” ChemE degree with a degree that’ll help save our planet. :)</p>
<p>Yea..save the Bears from being squeezed out of their habitat!</p>