<p>In general, Columbia is more respected than NYU-Poly which is more respected than Stevens. </p>
<p>Of the three, I would only choose a less respected institution if the more respected institution is particularly weak in the area that you are most interested in. </p>
<p>For example, Columbia’s page on research is here
[Research[/url</a>]</p>
<p>NYU-Poly’s is here
[url=<a href=“Home | NYU Tandon School of Engineering”>Home | NYU Tandon School of Engineering]Electrical</a> and Computer Engineering | NYU-Poly](<a href=“http://www.ee.columbia.edu/pages/research/index.html]Research[/url”>http://www.ee.columbia.edu/pages/research/index.html)</p>
<p>For example, if your area was electric power systems, Columbia does not appear to have any faculty in that area, then you should pick NYU-Poly. However, if your area is signal and image processing, networking and communications, photonics, etc, I’d pick Columbia.</p>