<p>Hello, I'm a junior in High School, and i'm wondering what some good engineering schools are. Right now, i've narrowed myself down to one of two fields, either chemistry/biochem/chemical engineering, or aerospace engineering. My plan right now is to try to go for double major, and i'd like to ask how much do the two overlap? Is it a wise choice to major in both?</p>
<p>But my main question is still, "What are some good engineering schools? esp chemically or aeronautically?"</p>
<p>I'm a student with respectable grades and a good resume, and I've heard of the so called kings of engineering, MIT and Caltech, but those dont appeal to me much, what other choices do i have?</p>
<p>The flagship state universities and larger private schools tend to have the best engineering programs outside of the private schools like MIT, CalTech, Stanford, etc...One of the reasons is that engineering students require labs, expensive equipment, people to run the labs, and so forth. Public schools get tons of money from their states coifers as well as federal research money. Many private schools don't have such luxuries (especially the smaller ones!). Use extreme caution if you are looking at small, privates for engineering. This is not to say that there aren't any good engineering programs at the smaller universities. Schools like Rose-Hulman, Lehigh, Bucknell, and Lafayette come to mind. I'd just advise you in general to stay away from the small private schools for engineering.</p>
<p>ok...University of Michigan, University of Illinois,andpurdue have good departments. Also Berkeley is ranked number three. The fact that the small private schools have the ability to be ranked above the enormous publics is something not to be forgotten. Also, some people, like myself, are attracted to going to a smaller private.</p>
<p>ok, so you're interested in chemistry and biomedical engineering and MIT and Caltech don't appeal to you? </p>
<p>Well, I know that Vanderbilt Univeristy has a double major program in Biomedical and chemical and/or electrical engineering. Participating in this program will take four years only (or designed to be done in four years). Although the school isn't exceptionally well-known in engineering, it does have an excellent faculty and student body. The Professors are very helpful on average. Maybe Vanderbilt should be a school you should consider.</p>
<p>Duke's biomedical engineering program is 2nd to John's Hopkins. It's a lot smaller than a state school and bigger than a small liberal arts school.</p>
<p>Go to the library or to a newstand and read a copy of the US News and World Report America's Best Colleges issue or subscribe to it online. It has ranking of engineering schools in general and by category and a info about each school. This is what my DD used to get an initial list. Then remember, a good engineering school is one that is good for you. Check everything out and trust your own judgement, don't depend on the ratings books or what others say.</p>
<p>OK, I'll bite. Um, Rice!!!! =) That was my alma mater.</p>
<p>MIT and CalTech are good for graduate studies, but I've known a lot of people who have gone to both places, and they've had mixed experiences. College is also a time to really decide who you are and what you want to do, and it's difficult to do that at such a specialized and highly cut-throat school. A lot of people get very burned out at a school like MIT or CalTech. Also, if you decide you suddenly want to major in something that isn't engineering or math or science, you're gonna be out of luck. These things should definitely be considered when you're looking at colleges...</p>
<p>US News & World Reports is a good resource, as workingforblue said, and her advice is also really good. The right engineering college is one that not only has a strong engineering department, but one that you feel at home at.</p>
<p>Northwestern has top-15 program in both chemistry, chemical engineering, and bioengineering (just in case that's what you meant by "biochem"). It doesn't have aero engg though. The following is the 2005 GRADUATE ranking for chemical engineering and chemistry (the "?" probably indicates a tie):</p>
<p>CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Rank/School Average assessment
score (5.0=highest)
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 4.8
? University of CaliforniaBerkeley 4.8
? University of MinnesotaTwin Cities 4.8
4. California Institute of Technology 4.7
5. University of WisconsinMadison 4.6
6. Stanford University (CA) 4.5
? University of TexasAustin 4.5
8. Princeton University (NJ) 4.3
9. University of CaliforniaSanta Barbara 4.2
? University of Delaware 4.2
? University of IllinoisUrbana-Champaign 4.2
12. Carnegie Mellon University (PA) 4.1
13. Georgia Institute of Technology 4.0
? Northwestern University (IL) 4.0
? University of MichiganAnn Arbor </p>
<p>CHEMISTRY
Rank/School Average assessment
score (5 = highest)
1. University of CaliforniaBerkeley 5.0
2. California Institute of Technology 4.9
? Harvard University (MA) 4.9
? Massachusetts Institute of Technology 4.9
5. Stanford University (CA) 4.8
6. Scripps Research Institute (CA) 4.5
? University of IllinoisUrbana-Champaign 4.5
8. Columbia University (NY) 4.4
? Cornell University (NY) 4.4
? University of WisconsinMadison 4.4
11. University of CaliforniaLos Angeles 4.3
12. Northwestern University (IL) 4.2
? University of TexasAustin 4.2
14. Princeton University (NJ) 4.1
? University of Chicago 4.1
? University of North CarolinaChapel Hill 4.1
? Yale University (CT)</p>
<p>BIOMEDICAL/BIOENGINEERING
Rank/School Average assessment
score (5.0=highest)
1. Johns Hopkins University (MD) 4.8
2. Georgia Institute of Technology 4.5
? University of CaliforniaSan Diego (Jacobs) 4.5
4. University of Washington 4.4
5. University of Pennsylvania 4.3
6. Case Western Reserve University (OH) 4.2
? Duke University (NC) 4.2
8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 4.0
9. Boston University 3.9
10. Rice University (TX) 3.8
? University of MichiganAnn Arbor 3.8
12. Northwestern University (IL) 3.7
? University of CaliforniaBerkeley/University of CaliforniaSan Francisco 3.7
14. Washington University in St. Louis 3.5
15. University of Pittsburgh 3.4
? University of TexasAustin 3.4
? University of Utah</p>
<p>Looking at U.S News (don't throw rotten veggies at me!)...</p>
<p>Top 5 in Aerospace at schools whose highest degree is a bachelor's or master's:
1. Embry Riddle Aeronautical U. (FL)
2. United States Air Force Academy (CO)
3. Embry Riddle Aeronautical U. - Prescott (AZ)
United States Naval Academy (MD)
5. Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo</p>
<p>Top 5 in Aerospace at schools whose highest degree is a doctorate:
1. Massacusetts Inst. of Tech
2. Georgia Inst. of Tech
3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
4. Purdue Univ - West Lafayette (IN)
5. Cal Tech </p>
<p>Personally, I like Harvey Mudd and Cal, although they don't offer aero... Well HMC doesn't. I'm not sure about Cal.</p>
<p>HMC's program is just a general engineering program, but you learn a heck of a lot. Mudd is the new, sub-radar CalTech/MIT. Very small, VERY high-powered. If you get into Harvey Mudd and earn your engineering degree and concentrate in aerospace engineering sorts of electives, then you'll be an incredibly qualified aerospace engineer.</p>
<p>cal doesn't offer aero. it's kinda... lumped into mechanical. a lot of the kids interested in aero are just mechies who will 'focus' on aero stuff in upper division courses.</p>
<p>There are many excellent Engineering programs within well-rounded (great campus life, nice city, good balance between academics and social life etc...)universities:</p>
<p>Cornell University
Northwestern University
Princeton University
Stanford University
University of California-Berkeley
University of California-San Diego
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of Texas-Austin
University of Wisconsin-Madison</p>
<p>I think it just depends on what you want. I mean I had all that good stuff in HS like AP classes good grades and stuff. but I choose to go to a state school for many reasons. some of them being Price, and the fact that I think it ultimatley doesnt matter where you go, what matters is what you do. I mean and advanced engineering degree from state schools tops Stanfords basket weaving degree. besides I think it just depens on you. you education will be what you make of it, the schools reputation matters not. the biggest benefit of going to well known school is that there is alot of research to get involved in. now you make the dedcision. I choose State school, if that was a good or bad idea I dont know, but it works for me. Here I have more time to learn what I want to learn rather then speding all my time with some GE course. but hey if you want name, go to MIT.</p>
<p>how is Cornell specifically for Biological/biomedical engineering. Are they respected for their programs? (Please say yes, I want to go to Cornell soooo bad!) :)</p>
<p>Cornell has top notch programs in most areas of engineering, but they don't have a major in biomedical engineering.</p>
<p>"Advice to Undergraduates:
Preparing undergraduates to be successful professional biomedical engineers is a challenge; professional biomedical engineers should have depth in at least one area of engineering, a broad understanding of biology, and specific knowledge of biomedical engineering applications. At Cornell we have decided that we cannot accomplish these goals within the constraints of a four year BS curriculum in biomedical engineering.</p>
<p>We suggest that students interested in the professional practice of biomedical engineering complete a BS in any of the engineering fields, a minor in BME, and complete the two semester Master of Engineering program in BME."</p>