<p>elsijfdl -- Point well taken. But once again, I'm just stating a claim that I've seen well backed up over and over. I've also seen the other side well backed up, as you evidence above. But if you're really interested in debating the argument, I suggest you take a look around the law school board on CC where you'll find passionate believers from both sides. I certainly agree with you that these factors are worthy and likely of some consideration, but at the same time, that will only bring a student so far. Assuming that all else is equal, the grade-deflated engineer from prestigious school #1 will very likely get 'beaten out' in admissions by the high-achieving engineer from slightly-less-or-even-equally-prestigious-but-still-pretty-great school #2, which is really more in line with the nature of this thread. Regardless, your points bring attention to an important issue, which is that this is a lengthily debated question.</p>
<p>I suggest OP look at Dartmouth. The trimester system (also at Northwestern) alllows for flexibility to complete engineering degree with room for liberal arts.</p>
<p>I said this a while ago for someone who wanted to major in journalism while also getting a liberal arts education, at Northwestern you'll definitely be able to receive an extensive and broad liberal arts education because trimesters allows you to take up to 16 courses a year. This is both a positive and a negative for different types of students: a positive for those who are looking forward to exploring and learning about different areas of study in college but a negative for those who aren't up for the intense course load.</p>
<p>I'm not an engineering major, but part of the reason why I chose NU over a few other well-respected schools is the academic flexibility it offers to students. Even if you're an engineering student, you can very easily take courses or double major in the college of arts and sciences, Medill school of journalism, school of communications, school of education & social policy, you name it.</p>
<p>EDIT:</p>
<p>Plus, you said you wanted urban. The campus is literally right outside of Chicago, close enough to have a view of the city's skyline from campus but separated enough to have a campus feel.
<a href="http://www.ece.northwestern.edu/%7Edda902/campus.PNG%5B/url%5D">http://www.ece.northwestern.edu/~dda902/campus.PNG</a></p>
<p>Not really urban. But Smith. Requires a full liberal arts load in addition to engineering. They make it clear that their intention is not just to train engineers, but future engineering managers.</p>
<p>They are the ONLY engineering school in the country that, with a 3.5 GPA, guarantees engineering grad. school admissions at UMichigan, Notre Dame, Johns Hopkins, Dartmouth, Tufts, and Princeton. (Not even UMichigan, Notre Dame...Princeton guarantee that.)</p>
<p>^^ isn't smith an all-girls school?</p>
<p>Northwestern engineering also guarantees admission to a master's program (at Northwestern, which you can even complete at the same time as your BS) if you graduate with a 3.5 or above</p>
<p>also, speaking of engineering managers, while getting your engineering degree at Northwestern you can also apply to the Kellogg Certificate Program and simultaneously get a certificate in managerial analytics from the #1 graduate business school in the country.</p>
<p>Columbia...</p>
<p>"isn't smith an all-girls school?"</p>
<p>Aren't any girls at Smith. Only women.</p>
<p>"Smith: A Century of Women on Top"</p>
<p>(unofficial campus t-shirt)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Aren't any girls at Smith. Only women.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>pardon my language ;)</p>
<p>Note that any ABET-accredited engineering BS program, at any school, is demanding, and provides relatively limited opportunities to take elective courses outside of science, engineering, and math. This is true even at liberal arts colleges that offer ABET engineering degrees (like Swarthmore, Smith, or Trinity). </p>
<p>If you want to get broad exposure to liberal arts, as well as engineering, then you might want to consider the following options:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Spend 5 years, rather 4, as an undergraduate, and get dual BA/BS degrees. Many LACs have 3-2 BA/BS programs with universities, though they aren't usually very popular.</p></li>
<li><p>Spend 4 years, but get a less rigorous, non-ABET BA degree in engineering, rather than an ABET BS. Some schools offer this option; it offers more opportunities to take liberal arts electives or to double-major. The BA degree will probably not be accepted as a "real" professional degree in engineering, but if you plan to pursue a career in law, this may not matter. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>Dartmouth, for example, does both of these things: you can get an unaccredited BA in engineering after 4 years, but you have to stay for a 5th year to get an ABET BS.</p>
<p>^^ i know someone pursuing a double DEGREE in engineering who I believe is on track to graduate in four years. We're on a quarter system so it's literally possibly to take up to 15 classes a year (if not hellish). 12 is the more routine amount.</p>
<p>Note that any ABET-accredited engineering BS program, at any school, is demanding, and provides relatively limited opportunities to take elective courses outside of science, engineering, and math. This is true even at liberal arts colleges that offer ABET engineering degrees (like Swarthmore, Smith, or Trinity). </p>
<p>Actually, the Smith program REQUIRES students take all requirements of "Latin Honors" - meaning a full liberal arts curriculum - something they don't even require of English majors. They also require a full year of a foreign language, and have set it up so that engineering majors can do study abroad. It is thus double demanding, but it is the general expectation, and one of the reasons why those graduate schools are willing to guarantee admission.</p>