I have been accepted to these three schools, and before I make a tough decision, I would really appreciate input on any of the three schools’ engineering programs. I recently visited Case, loved it there, loved their variety of engineering majors. I plan to major in chemical engineering, but it’s not 100% set in stone, so I would like to have many options. I am slightly concerned that ND has the fewest engineering majors available of the three.
Of course Notre Dame and UPenn have the name recognition (is ND’s engineering as strong as its business program?), but Case also seems to be devoting more and more resources to new opportunities for undergraduates, like think[box]. I am overwhelmed trying to think of deciding between these three. Have visited Penn (love Philly!) and Case, and will visit ND soon. I am from Chicago so I love the city vibe, so ND falls a bit short for me in that regard.
Any current students, alumni, or anyone, please share your knowledge and/or opinions of the engineering programs at these schools.
@Nando28 Based on the rankings, Penn has a better engineering program than CWRU and Notre Dame. Also Penns overall strength as an institution is greater than these two other schools. Penn engineering is rigorous, and its graduates go on to top graduate schools, major firms and have the 6th highest salaries in the country. (http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2014/05/30/50-college-diplomas-with-the-highest-pay/#77324ca5362c)
Also the fact that Penn is a very strong school across the board and also encourages interdisciplinary studies, means that you will get a rigorous but also well-rounded engineering education. Plus you get the ivy league prestige, network, connections etc , which, while secondary to academic quality, are good to also have if possible.
If there are not financial aid differences between the schools, I would choose Penn.
All 3 are excellent schools. DD2 has been admitted to CWRU for Chem E too (and is also considering Lehigh, Wisconsin, UIUC, and Northeastern), and spent 2 weeks at an engineering camp at Notre Dame last summer. DD1 attends Penn SEAS.
You will get an excellent education at all three schools. For Chem E, salaries don’t vary that much for schools in this range, but some other engineering salaries do, such as CS.
Honestly, it comes down to the personality and capabilities of the student. DD1 and DD2 both like challenges and competing, but there is a clear academic difference. DD1 loves her Penn SEAS experience, but she loves challenges that would cause students at most colleges to simply fail. For the right student, it is an incredible opportunity. DD2 likes challenges too, but does not want them to be ridiculously difficult. CRWU would be a much better fit for her.
@Penn95 , thanks for the reply. Penn is, to my surprise, slightly pricier w/ fin aid for me than ND. Hard to believe since Ivies have their all grant program… my next step is to try to discuss with fin aid office about raising their offer. Do you have any experience with this?
@Much2learn , thanks for the insights. Can you speak at all to D’s experience transitioning from high school courses (AP, IB, Honors, etc–I have taken several AP courses) to Penn’s rigorous SEAS curriculum? I just hear many horror stories of the library becoming the students’ new home. I really wonder what kind of a difference there is between Case and Penn curriculum difficulty, and what makes it so hard (hard material, or tough exams, or not enough time… or all of the above and more!). It’s crucial information that I would like to get but it’s hard to know or say for certain, of course. 
"Can you speak at all to D’s experience transitioning from high school courses (AP, IB, Honors, etc–I have taken several AP courses) to Penn’s rigorous SEAS curriculum? I just hear many horror stories of the library becoming the students’ new home. "
The transition to Penn was easy. Initially, the courses were easy because they are trying to bring everyone up to speed. She was bored. As time went by courses picked up the pace and her faculty advisor switched her into more difficult classes to challenge her.
She works hard, but is also very sociable. She is in a sorority and that has been a big plus. When she needs to buckle down and study, she can, and when she has free time, she has immediate access to social activities.
"I really wonder what kind of a difference there is between Case and Penn curriculum difficulty, and what makes it so hard (hard material, or tough exams, or not enough time… or all of the above and more!). "
In DD1’s case, when the degree of difficulty got out of control, it related to very demanding computer science projects assigned by a new professor. Out of her 2 years there there were about 4 or 5 weeks where she really felt overwhelmed and out of control. She buckled down and in the end her grades were still excellent, but she is still mad about it. lol On the other hand, if that never happened, I think she would feel cheated.
I think that you will find that Case can be very challenging too, but toned down a notch compared to Penn.
@nando28 What other questions do you have? I think you are right to visit them all. Each one could be right for the right student.
When you are there it is important to explore your interests and extracurricular opportunities. A student who only wants to take classes, and is not very interested in research, active clubs, internships, semester abroad programs, club sports, greek life, or taking courses outside the school they are in will really not capture the benefits of a University like Penn. They are offering you the chance to get involved in things 24/7, but you have to get involved.
Thank you for sharing some of your D’s experiences, @Much2learn .
While I am still deciding I may come up with more targeted questions then. Thanks for your prompt responses.