<p>Hi, I'm deciding between Cornell and CMU. I'd be reading engineering most definitely and would likely choose electrical and computer engineering. I'm also interested in taking up business/finance modules/minors. I'm an international student and i chose to read engineering for interest's sake. After completing my studies, i would likely be pursuing a general management role instead but i guess the engineering background would still be of use some way or another. </p>
<p>I understand CMU is renowned for its electrical and computer engineering program. Besides, it also has quite a gd business school as well. As for Cornell, it's engineering program is excellent too. Besides, it's an ivy league school so the branding factor is definitely there i guess. Hence the dilemma... </p>
<p>Any thoughts and comments would be most deeply appreciated. Thank you all for your help in advance!</p>
<p>If you want to get into a B-school after graduation then Cornell definitely. Around 3.23% of the class at Cornell goes to top 15 Professional Schools. For CMU it's ~1.60%. Also Cornell Engg is higher ranked and respected than CMU.</p>
<p>Abhi, that's actually not true at all. CMU is ranked higher (8 vs. 10) than Cornell for engineering (USNWR rankings). The same rankings are true of the respective school's EE majors - and at CMU, there is the additional advantage of a spectacular computer engineering program, while Cornell's computer engineering is not as good.</p>
<p>In terms of business, CMU's undergaduate business is ranked higher than Cornell's (8 vs. 11), and is ranked especially highly for business concentrations centered around IT.</p>
<p>Cornell's branding will be better, as an Ivy league school, but I think, looking at rankings at least, that CMU is better objectively in terms of strength of program (though not by much). Additional things to consider should be location (small rural, remote town vs. Pittsburgh), and things like that.</p>
<p>Congrats. The CompE program @ CMU is among the very best. However, the real difference between any top 25 engineering schools in US are relatively minor. I seriously doubt that you are getting more (or less) engineering/business education at one place over another. So throw those ranking aside for now. They already served their purpose.</p>
<p>Focus on choosing the right environment that you can thrive. Ithaca is quite remote and its winter is bittercold. But its campus atmosphere is far more diverse and better than CMU which is kind of rigid and nerdy (the last time I was there). Of course, Pittsburgh has all the city amenities one would expect.</p>
<p>As for B-school, being a Cornell alum, you already have a good shot into the Johnson School after a couple of years post College.</p>