Confused

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>I'm pretty new to this whole wide world of college search and I'm pretty lost.</p>

<p>First off I've always been under the impression that I could probably go to any college I wanted to. I have a 4.0 HS GPA, I'm going to graduation #1 in a class of 750, will be a National Merit Semi-finalist and most likely a finalist, am an Eagle Scout and I'm actively involved in Band and other extracurricular activities.</p>

<p>I'm from Texas, and my whole life I've grown up thinking I wanted to go to UT Austin. I've visited multiple times and love the school. But now I'm feeling like I may be cutting myself a little short and wasting an opportunity to go somewhere better. I've never really looked anywhere else, but you guys seem to always mention Cal Tech, MIT, Stanford and Georgia Tech, but never any Texas schools. Is UT a bad school or would I be getting something better?</p>

<p>On a related note, I'm wondering about engineering majors. I'm currently thinking that I want to get into the field of alternative energy. Solar Power really intrigues me, and I've been thinking that electrical engineering would be the way to go for that. Is that the case?</p>

<p>Thank you very much for any help</p>

2

<p>UT is a good school, especially for engineering. I think its probably a great safety school for you since you’re in Texas. I would look into some of the elite engineering schools like MIT, Cal Tech, Illinois, and others. But UT is a top 10 engineering school, so there’s nothing wrong with going there. It would actually probably be a great option since you would get in-state tuition.</p>

3

<p>Yeah, UT is an excellent choice for you, ESPECIALLY if you want to stay in the Texas area after graduation. I haven’t looked at the rankings for UT but that guy said it was top 10, you’d get in state tuition, etc. Don’t get caught up in the “oh, gotta go to Cal Tech or MIT” etc. hype that gets thrown around CC occasionally.</p>

<p>That being said, while admission isn’t guaranteed at the prestigious schools like MIT to anyone you’d be competitive anywhere. You should research many schools and go visit a couple schools that interest you, including UT if you haven’t already. You might just solidify your decision to go to UT, and you might see something you like somewhere else. Either way you won’t be stuck wondering ‘what if.’ Absolutely apply to UT; it makes a perfect safety, since you like it, it is ranked very high and you’re guaranteed acceptance. But it isn’t going to hurt to look around a little.</p>

4

<p>Comparing the quality of education and the cost savings, honestly, I’d rather go to UT-Austin than any other engineering school, even MIT, unless that school gave me a substantial grant/scholarship package.</p>

<p>You could try the top engineering schools: Stanford, MIT, Cal Tech, GaTech, UMich, UIUC, Berkeley, etc. and see 1) where you’re admitted and 2) who gives you a nice financial aid package (for all you know, one of those schools could admit you with a full ride). Then visit schools and make a decision.</p>

<p>But as Chuy mentioned, location does come heavily into play. If you’re dead-set to never work in the mid-west, UIUC and Michigan may not be the best fit, for example. All the schools above pull in recruiters from across the country (and even the world). But a school like Stanford will naturally have a higher percentage of companies from California than a school like MIT.</p>

<p>You’ll need an SAT score before you can claim that you’re in “anywhere”. But the nice thing is that you’re in a good position, and you don’t need a safety school since UT and TAMU are both good schools where you’re automatically admitted.</p>

5

<p>It won’t hurt to look elsewhere and at least have options.</p>

6

<p>@G.P.Burdell, I think it would be valuable to apply to MIT, Princeton, Cornell, CalTech, and GATech (presidential scholar program) if not to go there, at least to gauge oneself. I mean, it would be lame to regret later in life having not applied to these schools. However, I too would agree that UT Austin is an amazing school. Thier honors programs are also excellent and would provide you with additional opportunities beyond what your peers have. You will also study with geniuses like yourself. Most engineering companies recruit everywhere and with a high GPA from UT Austin, you can probably get a fellowship to study grad school at Berkeley, MIT, or anywhere else.</p>

<p>I would say it is a waste to apply to Berkeley, Michigan, oor UIUC or other great state school engineering programs other than GATECH for undergrad because at the most they will cut $7k off thier hefty tuition for OOSers (40k/50k for cal, no need based financial aid). UT Austin is still a much better deal. MIT however has great financial aid and could give you a better financial aid package (not as great as HYP but still good). Same situation with CalTech.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the responses. My main issue was that UT doesn’t seem very prestigious considering that it’s a state school that alot of my friends are going to end up getting into with much less notable grades and acomplishments. I still kinda feel like that, but it is good to hear that it is respected as a great school from the outside.</p>

<p>Just out of curiosity, what benefit would I get from going to another school? Is there actually a difference in the curriculum orr what is taught? Would I actualy get more from my degree or education from somewhere else? Or is it just more of an atmosphere and being surrounded by the “best and brightest”?</p>

<p>Lastly, how much time does it take to apply to these schools? You’re saying I should apply just to see how I stack up (which I’d honestly been considering), but is it going to take me 10 hours an application? Is that really worth the time?</p>

8

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<p>When you look at vastly different school ranks, such as comparing MIT to, say, UT-Dallas, you’ll see a difference in what is taught. The overall courses are the same (because of ABET); however, the more highly ranked (and thus difficult) school will cover more material in each course. So both schools will have an Electricity and Magnetism class (E-Mag) required for engineering majors, but MIT’s E-Mag class will cover more topics and go more indepth than UT-Dallas. Within the Top 10 schools (really the Top 15 schools), things are pretty constant, and the education is about the same. </p>

<p>The biggest difference between the #1 school and #10 school is the companies that come to hire. MIT will get the most elite recruiters. So if you want to work for Lockheed at Skunkworks, you’re better off at MIT than UT-Austin. If your goal is to go a highly competitive field like VC’s or I-banks, you’re better off at a top school. But if you’re looking for a highly paying “normal job” (not one of the “10,000 people apply for 1 position” variety), all of the top 10 will be equally fine. Further, graduate schools accept from all of the top 10. If you’re looking at a non-engineering graduate school, a Top 10 program that also has a higher overall rank is probably more beneficial.</p>

9

<p>The benefit, based solely on academics, doesn’t exist. Feel free to compare curriculum if you like, but they are all very similar. It’s not as if MIT has some special knowledge that you only get by going to MIT, or your professor at UT is going to tell you that he/she can’t teach you something because only MIT kids get that info…</p>

<p>UT Engineering Honors may not be as prestigious(although it is very highly regarded), but you will have the opportunity to learn just as much, and your opportunities after undergrad will be very similar. Keep in mind that there are many at UT that are considered “the best and brightest” and just chose to save money. I personally turned down more prestigious options for a full ride to Georgia Tech and admission to their honors program, and I don’t regret it one bit. Cost matters, especially if you don’t have 200K stowed away for college or are considering graduate school of some sort. Of course, many colleges do give generous financial aid so don’t rule out a school based simply on cost.</p>

<p>As for applications: Time to apply varies. In addition to the basic info required for all application(common app stuff, activities, etc I’ve outlined some of the colleges mentioned below.</p>

<p>Georgia Tech is short initially(only one essay/no teacher recommendations, but if you make semi-finalist for the President’s Scholarship you will need to submit two teacher recs, a counselor form, an updated resume, and attend an interview. If you make it to finalist you must attend PSP Weekend where you will have two additional group interviews(one is discussion group with a faculty member about an article/issue/anything you venture off to talking about and one is a problem solving task with two other finalists), get to tour the campus/tour major specific academic buildings and labs/meet current PS students, faculty, advisors etc… and ask questions/get free food/stay in the dorms/etc… I also had lunch with the President of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association afterward along with a former PS grad who had some stuff in common with me, and I know several others also got similar opportunities) Definitely worth at least applying here!</p>

<p>MIT is fairly straight forward(Typical info/activity listing, one long essay, a short essay, two teacher recs, counselor form) (Math SAT subject test and one in science are required/interview is highly recommended)</p>

<p>Princeton (Common Application plus supplement which includes 1 essay, explanation of summer activity, a your favorite list where you tell them your favorite website, word, movie quote, etc…) Three SAT Subject tests (for engineering one in chemistry or physics and one in math are recommended)</p>

<p>Stanford has the common application plus a supplement, which isn’t bad either(several short essays in addition to a longer one), but if you have a hard time thinking of good essay topics/keeping them concise yet strong it could be difficult. (Strongly recommends SAT subject tests)</p>

<p>I’m not familiar with the requirements of CalTech or the other schools mentioned.</p>

<p>They shouldn’t take you 10 hours a piece, but I can’t tell you how long they will take YOU.</p>

<p>My suggestion would be to definitely apply to Georgia Tech(maybe I’ll see you during the recruitment process if you make PS semi-finalist/finalist!), because the initial application is super easy, and it is a potential academic bargain. You need to apply before Nov. 1 to be considered for the President’s Scholarship. I’m not sure if you would be competitive, since I don’t know the details of your extracurriculars, course rigor,SAT/ACT score(s), or whether your essay will be strong, but based on your current stats you look as if you could have a shot. If you can give more specific EC/course rigor info I could tell you more. It would be nice to get some more from Texas though. We only have one PS from Texas (Plano) this year, but I think they normally get more than that, and I lived in San Antonio until my senior year so I guess I kind of count… For more information: [Georgia</a> Institute of Technology :: President’s Scholarship Program :: Home](<a href=“http://www.psp.gatech.edu/]Georgia”>http://www.psp.gatech.edu/) Let me know if you have any questions about GT or PSP!</p>

<p>As for the other schools, apply if you think the school is a fit for you. Ultimately, you will do best at the school that is a “fit” for you and facilitates you working to your potential. If you want to apply to MIT/Stanford/CalTech/Princeton etc go for it, but UT-Austin is a great school with a very strong engineering program and well-regarded honors programs(especially if your interested in a Plan II/Engineering double major). If you apply to the schools listed here, I wouldn’t pay more for them unless you really love the school atmosphere and opportunities, and then only marginally more. Don’t let it’s in-state status or the fact that everyone is going there dissuade you from recognizing the opportunities available at UT at a good price. Conversely, don’t let a few hours of effort keep you from applying to other schools that may be a better fit and potentially offer you more aid/scholarships.</p>

<p>Hope that helps and best of luck in your colege search and application process!</p>

10

<p>I’m a sophomore EE student at Santa Clara, a top-25 Engineering school amongst the Masters University list (not very prestigious, I know), yet I had almost exactly your stats except our class was 400 students. Everyone told me the same thing about getting into any college, and it pretty much happened.</p>

<p>I chose a less prestigious school for a couple reasons. First, you can’t beat the price (with scholarship). Second, I don’t necessarily want to hang out with exclusively engineering or nerd types. While I know how to be one, I’m not one all the time. Thirdly, there are plenty of benefits to being a big fish in a small pond such as even easier access to professors and research opportunities.</p>

<p>After my four years year, I will have had a blast, met a lot of very cool people, studied abroad, done thin cell-solar research, (hopefully worked at NASA or google), and had a well-rounded college experience. We send students to Stanford, Cal, MIT for grad school quiet often, and if you truly want to be in the top of your field, you’ll find that your graduate alma mater is much more important than your undergrad.</p>

11

<p>Caltech will want to see a very strong passion in math/science (beyond the typical math club or science olympiad), and you’ll write a supplemental essay discussing your passion. </p>

<p>UIUC and UMich are practically the same essays, so if you apply to one, I strongly recommend applying to the other (I’d recommend UMich over UIUC, though, if you just want to apply to one). </p>

<p>Have you considered Rice? I know it doesn’t have the strongest engineering, but I heard the engineers there are very qualified (so a strong student body- both in engineering and overall, which is what you may be looking for). Rice’s supplement is kind of long, though. You have to do a weird diversity essay (very ambigious prompt) and a “why Rice” essay, among other things.</p>

12

<p>Take a look at Rice! Great student population from the people I know there. It was far and away my best college visit. Rice has the most competitive prices I’ve seen from a private school of its caliber. They also grant merit scholarships to a very select few if you’re looking for those. Rice was a VERY close second for me. I only went to Santa Clara because I wanted to go to school in California and was looking for a Jesuit institution.</p>

13

<p>College is about growth, both academic and person. Attending any college in the some area where you grew up cuts off a lot of opportunities for growth. I would recommend that any student NOT go to college in their home state. Just as international travel/study abroad widens one’s world view, attending a college out of area, with lots of other out of area students will help you grow as a person, with a broader world view.</p>

<p>UT-engineering once was a rich mix of students from all over. Due to legislative mandates, out of state students are pretty much excluded. You will spend 4 years getting a very good academic education, but in that 4 year you may never hear another point a view or have a conversation with someone who did not grow up in Texas. Any self-referencing community eventually devolves and becomes out of touch.</p>

<p>Look to your personal growth, both in obtaining an excellent education and growing as a person - checkout out-of-area colleges and go, learn, experience the broader world. That’s what college is about.</p>

14

<p>Wow, thank you so much for the help. This is by far the best information I’ve gotten anywhere. I have a few more questions.</p>

<p>Do people ever change their undergrad school? Say I end up going to Stanford of GATech and decided I don’t like it after the first year, would it be possible for me to transfer to UT and finish up there?</p>

<p>Also a few of people have mentioned grad school. What practical benefit does getting a MS have? Does it open up new jobs or just increase pay? Because I know for teachers and a few other professions a MS just gives a very minimal pay increase and doesn’t really effect your job performance.</p>

15

<p>This is truly an amazing thread! Very helpful responses for sure. Thanks everyone!</p>

<p>I have a rising senior son who is looking at GT, VT SCU, TU etc…US citizen studying abroad. We were going to visit this summer but due to my health we are not doing that anymore.</p>

<p>He is interested in CS or CE, has a head for business and Math. Bright but GPA does not reflect this due to hard courses and teachers.</p>

16

<p>vraz, there is nothing easy about engineering programs just because they are at state schools. I think UT would be a great choice especially given that you would probably get a generous scholarship. My son distinguished himself at his state school, which yielded some wonderful opportunities for research, internships and grad school. Also, he has his share of fun and made some really good friends. Still, it couldn’t hurt to apply to several schools and see how it goes.</p>

17

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<p>As anyone can tell you, Texas is a very diverse state in many facets. People from West Texas differ substantially from people from east Texas and etc. While it may be a “red state”, there are many “blue” communities and cities (such as Austin, where UT is located), as well as many people who voted in Obama this last year. Geographically, the state encompasses enough land to cover many of the northern states. Population-wise, it is the second-largest state in the nation. Many cities here have large minority populations, and San Antonio and El Paso are said to have majority-minority populations.</p>

<p>With that being said, I don’t see what the OP would be missing out on by staying in Texas. UT is rich with differing cultures and differing views. Your reference to a “self-referencing community” is a bit naive, considering that the state of Texas is bigger and more populous than many nations. That size can’t be described as a “community”.</p>