<p>I know this is kind of a stupid question, but If I where to get a job in Texas, would an engineering degree from the University of Southern California have as much weight as one from The University of Texas at Austin? Also, what if the person hiring me was not a UT graduate?</p>
<p>I don't think so, for several reasons. First, you have to account for regional biases. People in Texas would rather have a UT graduate get the job than someone from California. Second, UT engineering is ranked higher and more respected than USC's. And third, you won't have the common and tested connections and/or internships that a UT graduate would probably have.</p>
<p>Agree completely with paulhomework...UT engineering is a lot better than USC's, in my opinion. People in Texas definitely regard UT Engineering very highly, probably even more so than Rice's engineering department. So if you want to get a job in Texas I would recommend UT over USC.</p>
<p>Dang. Ne1 else have an opinion?</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice sweetbee and paulhomework</p>
<p>yeah squirrel.. defintely go to UT one. many employers think UT engineers (especailly honors!!) are better than those of Rice.</p>
<p>I didn't apply to honors.</p>
<p>^ Don't give up hope. You can still apply after your freshman year if your GPA is above 3.5 (i think)</p>
<p>Yeah I might do that. So, anyone have any reasons why I should attend USC in my situation? I doubt ill make more than 5k less with a degree from USC compared to one from UT if I live in Austin. Also, wouldn't a degree from USC be more prestigious than UT if I am applying to Stanford for MBA?</p>
<p>Squirrel, USC is not as prestigious as UT Austin, regardless of what you want to do. Go for UT.</p>
<p>Well, If both schools cost the same after financial aid, I'm just contemplating the fact that USC has no TA's, smaller classes, and a few more specific fields for me to branch in to. I know USC isn't as prestigious as UT if I am gonna live in Texas though. Well, I guess I'll know for sure where I want to go after explore USC.</p>
<p>squirrel-- what kind of engineering are you interested in? UT has some fantastic departments. I agree somewhat with the comments regarding local preference, but it depends a bit on what type of business or organization you might be joining. For instance, if you get into the oil patch with a chem e degree, that's good ole boy territory. Whereas, I could imagine working in aeronautics or mechanical for NASA might be a bit less "regional" in its perspective.</p>
<p>Squirrel, who told you that USC does not have TAs/GSIs? I would seriously doubt that. Even schools like Harvard, Chicago, MIT and Stanford have TAs. At any rate, even then, TAs/GSIs can be even better instructors than professors. Even if the cost of attending is the same. I recommend UTA over USC for Engineering majors.</p>
<p>They advertize this. They have TA's, but the TA's only teach study sessions, not the classes wheras at UT they teach the classes. Then again, TA's are only going to be for a year or two. I am going for biomedical/electrical engineering. As far as ranking goes, USC is 17 and UT is 9, but with its new 54 million dollar undergrad engineering building which places a lot of emphasis on EE it should get stronger. I understand that UT is a very good option for me, I just don't wan't to rule out USC until I visit it this weekend and get a feel for the school and it's facilities.</p>