Columbia vs. Northwestern vs. USC vs. UC Berkeley vs. Case Western (Engineering)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, I'm deciding between:
Columbia SEAS (Egleston Scholar)
Northwestern McCormick (Murphy Scholar)
USC Viterbi (VIterbi Fellow + Trustee Scholarship)
UC Berkeley
Case Western</p>

<p>I'm a Civil Engineering major at all five schools. Not completely set on civil, but as of right now, I think it's the discipline I'm most interested. I like the idea of being able to change majors. USC would be the cheapest option, followed by Cal and Case, and then Columbia and Northwestern at a much higher cost, but it's still possible for my family. I'm not a stereotypical fraternity guy, but I'd be open to consider joining one if Greek life is the main social center of campus. I'd probably want to get involved with research and/or internships, and while I'm up for a challenge, I don't think I'd do well in cutthroat, competitive, grade deflationary environments. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>In state for Berkeley?<br>
Berkeley’s civil engineering program is top notch, but out-of-pocket costs should be top consideration. </p>

3

<p>Yep, in state.</p>

4

<p>USC, I’d say. </p>

5

<p>With your scholarship, USC. The pay is going to be the same as a Civil Engineering graduate.</p>

6

<p>You got into fantastic schools, but seriously, Berkeley has the number one Civil Engineering program in the USA, and possibly, the world. </p>

7

<p>I’m just a little worried about a few things at Cal like the lack of flexibility in switching majors, huge size of the school, and the people seemed a bit rushed and competitive. I did love the campus and urban surroundings, though. The civil program does seem really awesome too. </p>

8

<p>Berkeley change of major procedure within the College of Engineering is described here:
<a href=“http://coe.berkeley.edu/students/current-undergraduates/majors-minors/change-of-major.html/”>http://coe.berkeley.edu/students/current-undergraduates/majors-minors/change-of-major.html/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>USC does not look like there is much of a barrier to changing major:
<a href=“http://viterbi.usc.edu/students/undergrad/advisement/faq.htm#major”>http://viterbi.usc.edu/students/undergrad/advisement/faq.htm#major&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Does the scholarship at USC require a college GPA to renew?</p>

9

<p>Cal</p>

10

<p>Are Cal’s students more competitive or more laid-back? And is it really that difficult to get the classes that you want?</p>

11

<p>For engineering, especially civil, the students are more collaborative than competitive. </p>

<p>The complaints about getting classes is way overblown. You can look on the Berkeley board and see how many current students complain about getting classes… There aren’t many. You have to be flexible and for some popular classes you may get wait listed but if persistent you’ll get in the class. Kids mainly complain about the Telebears course registration system vs getting classes. </p>

<p>College of Engineering gives credit for AP courses allowing you to skip over some larger prerequisite courses.</p>

12

<p>I would choose between Cal and USC based on fit, unless the cost with scholarship at USC is substantially cheaper. Can’t justify the significantly higher Columbia and NU costs. Case makes little sense given the great strengths of your cheaper options. </p>