<p>Hey guys, so my top two acceptances were CIT and Harvard.
I'm going to study Mechanical Engineering and I don't know which is really the better choice. Of course, CIT stands higher in the rankings and whatnot, and it most likely does provide more in the classroom. However, the connections, the name, and my intention of minoring in economics at Harvard are also all enticing factors. Which of the two will provide me with better opportunities in the future after college?
Pros? Cons?</p>
<p>Um…are you really debating between Harvard and CIT? If so, I really think the “name-brand” of Harvard seals the deal. You may not get recruiters coming to your school, but if you actively search for jobs, a Harvard education will probably stand out more than a CIT education.</p>
<p>Disagree completely. Harvard’s Mech E program does not even have ABET accreditation. Even people who went to Harvard advised against going to Harvard for engineering. Also, Tepper school is a very strong Econ program if you want exposure to that area. You now have the bragging rights about getting into Harvard but I’d choose the right program for what you want to study - plus you can say YOU turned Harvard down.</p>
<p>[Harvard</a> mulls new undergraduate degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering | Harvard Magazine](<a href=“http://harvardmagazine.com/2012/04/engineering-new-engineering-degrees]Harvard”>http://harvardmagazine.com/2012/04/engineering-new-engineering-degrees)
[Mechanical</a> Engineering ? Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences](<a href=“http://www.seas.harvard.edu/academics/undergraduate/mechanical-engineering]Mechanical”>http://www.seas.harvard.edu/academics/undergraduate/mechanical-engineering)</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon tops Harvard in engineering; there is no comparison. </p>
<p>If you’re serious about engineering, then go to Carnegie Mellon. More companies will recruit at CMU for engineering, and the atmosphere is more engineering/tech driven.</p>
<p>A lot of the question is what do you want to do once you get out of college, and what sort of classmates do you want while you’re in college. At CMU you’ll get students more dedicated to engineering, and you’ll probably have more opportunities to do more traditional “engineering” things.</p>
<p>AFAIK most Ivies aren’t that big on engineering in general. Cornell has a pretty good program, Columbia/Upenn are okay too, not so great after that.</p>
<p>Honestly though, Harvard isn’t really a school to go to if you are seriously interested in engineering. If you are completely undecided on what you want to study and are considering engineering, then of course, go to Harvard. If you’re leaning towards science/engineering, go to CMU. If you know you want to be an engineer, go to CMU.</p>