Engineering Colleges

Parents Forum
1

<p>My son has narrowed down his choices for undergrad engineering (probably Computer Engineering) to UCLA, UCSB, UCSD and USC. He has received scholarship offers to all four, so cost is not a big factor . . .
He's looking for research opportunities and possible internships. He is a little concerned that campus life at UCSB and UCSD could be a bit dull. I would appreciate comments from any of you who may have attended these engineering schools as an undergrad.</p>

2

<p>I have one kid in CS at UCSD and another in CS at UCLA. I sent you a PM.</p>

3

<p>A friend of mine in the field recommended UCSD or UCI. Since we aren't from CA we didn't end up applying to any of the UCs.</p>

4

<p>"Computer Engineering" can mean different things. CS (Computer Science) is focused more on software, ECE (Electrical and Computer Engineering) departments include computer hardware. UCSB ECE dept is strong, includes a Nobel laureate.
UCSB</a> / ECE Department</p>

5

<p>Son is at USC for CS, and is having a good experience. Strong research opportunities abound. Internships are possible if you are Californian, harder if you need help out of state.</p>

<p>A very good school, with a stellar program.</p>

6

<p>I would pick USC for Computer Engineering. It has a very strong program with lots of research activities.</p>

7

<p>Here are the USNWR rankings for what it's worth - </p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/382751-usnews-2008-engineering-ranking-compilation.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/382751-usnews-2008-engineering-ranking-compilation.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>A few of the colleges' overall engineering rankings - </p>

<p>UCLA - 20
UCSD - 25
USC - 29
UCSB - 37</p>

<p>A few of the colleges' 'Computer Engineering' rankings - </p>

<p>UCLA - 15
UCSD - 18
USC - 18
(UCSB isn't in the top 20)</p>

8

<p>More ranking here if you want to go by ranking.</p>

<p>[url=<a href="http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/ARWU-FIELD2008/ENG2008.htm%5Dfield%5B/url"&gt;http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/ARWU-FIELD2008/ENG2008.htm]field[/url&lt;/a&gt;]&lt;/p>

9

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<p>Then he hasn't heard about UCSB's reputation as a party school. Shhhh...don't tell him.</p>

10

<p>We are aware of UCSB's "party school" reputation; I do wonder how true it really is - anymore than any of the other UCs. Sometimes these labels stick no matter what.
What I meant by "dull" (and didn't explain very well) is that in the absence of football at UCSD and UCSB, my son is concerned that these campus might lack the school spirit and camaraderie exhibited by USC and UCLA.
This surprised me, since he isn't a big football fan - I guess he just wants some of the excitement that goes along with it!</p>

11

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<p>We send a lot of kids to UCSB and the kids say that the rep is true. But like anywhere, you don't have to party.</p>

<p>Big time college sports do make a difference in combating the no school spirit/dullness problem. There's a big difference between San Diego State and UCSD when it comes to the excitement level on the weekend.</p>