<p>I am an international and have problem of plenty. So far I have shortlisted these 4 great universities out of 14 acceptances. Rejected from MIT and caltech. Please advise aboutpros and cons on selecting one out of these four. I most propably would do computer science/engineering.</p>
<p>Congrats on those wonderful acceptances.</p>
<p>I don’t know much, but from the little that I’ve read - Duke is not as good as the others on that list for engineering.</p>
<p>Academics wise(for comp sci), I think Rice, NU & USC are at a similar level. Rankings might suggest a few spots difference.</p>
<p>Location may be another thing. Rice is located in Texas(hot climate). Northwestern’s in Chicago(and I hear it is very chilly up there). USC is on the west coast. So you can look up the three locations and check out which one you are more suited to!!</p>
<p>Can’t help much. But maybe you should look up the programs at all three in detail and then see which of them offers what you want. :)</p>
<p>I don’t know about that Rishav. Duke is ranked 8 spots ahead of Northwestern on the US News rankings for computer science and 4 spots ahead of Rice for engineering. OP, subject rankings make little or no difference at the undergraduate level (grad school is obviously a whole different ball game).
Go to the school you like best, and take the entire university into consideration when you are making a decision.</p>
<p>@Gailforce - I have no clue about the rankings. But I remember during my college search… I didn’t read too many good reviews of the Duke engineering program as such - which was one of the reasons that made me not apply there!! </p>
<p>But you’re right when you say that rankings really don’t matter that much. All three of them are great universities!! :)</p>
<p>@sigtus - Maybe you can compare the aid packages/scholarship the three of them offer you??</p>
<p>I am under the impression that the four are pretty close in computer/electrical engineering with USC having the edge. At NU, their computer science recently merged into electrical & computer engineering department. For other engineering disciplines, NU has the edge overall.</p>
<p>Undergrad rankings for engineering do not mean much as the courses and classes are pretty much standardized across the various schools. It is the overall culture and enviornment that matters more. As GAILFORCE pointed out, go where you feel you fit in the best. Good Luck!</p>
<p>I would ignore rankings and academics with these four schools. There all close enough to where it doesn’t really make a difference at the undergraduate level. </p>
<p>Rice: Warm weather year round (sometimes too warm)
Rice is known as being very inclusive and tight nit. Professors and students are smart and engaging and approachable. Houston has good and bad areas. Overal its a nice city but not everyone’s cup of tea. </p>
<p>USC: Warm weather year round.
In LA, one of the most famous and vibrant cities in the world.
Coastal region.
The area directly around campus isn’t especially nice. There’s also a stuck up/cliquey vibe at USC. </p>
<p>Duke: Pretty nice weather. Winters can be a bit chilly but nothing like up north.
Durham is nice but isn’t a big city like LA. Students vary widely. Jocks, Nerds, stuckup/down to earth, there’s a big mix of people.</p>
<p>NU: Cold weather. Surrounding area is nice and Chicago is in close proximity. Students are known as being talented, well rounded, and very smart. Again you’ll find a pretty big mix of students. Bookworms, jocks, average joes, athletes, hipsters, preppies, ect. In general students are pretty inclusive and approachable.</p>
<p>The problem is these schools are all actually fairly similar. Mid-sized, elite schools generally regarded as well-rounded, and 3/4 are near/in a big city. I considered all of these schools at one point. I don’t really have anything to add, because there won’t be much of an academic difference here, so it’s really up to your personal choices.</p>