<p>So personally, I would love to attend one of the Ivies - probably Cornell, as it does have the better Engineering program, right? I've visited them both, and feel that I would have four very enjoyable and productive years at either.
Johns Hopkins is far too expensive for me - essentially not an option. </p>
<p>Of course, my father is being rather passive-aggressive about the whole thing and making references to the ubiquitous USNEWS rankings - particularly the engineering ones in which the tech schools do better. Really, how trustworthy are the rankings anyway? And should I just point out that Cornell, while 3 below GATech on the Undergrad Engineering list, is 19 above it on the general University list. Doesn't that carry more weight? </p>
<p>So, advice, anyone? Actual experience from students who attend(ed) some of the above would be great.</p>
<p>cornell’s definitely best ivy for engineering, that’s undisputed. Also, Cornell gives you opportunities to double major or minor in another field that Cornell is also good at. As far as Iknow, Ga tech’s only strength is engineering. </p>
<p>I also feel the Cornell name’s going to be very valuable for you no matter what industry you’re going into. 3 places in the engineering ranking is nothing and is probably going to change next year but cornell is not oging to be ranked behind ga tech anytime soon as an overal university anytime soon</p>
<p>Yes indeed - while I’m a technically inclined sort of person, I don’t really want to attend a tech only school (unless it’s the best in the field, of course). Maybe I’m judging too quickly against GATech, but I just can’t see why I would want to go there over a diverse and well-rounded institution. And as for RPI, well. I’m visiting it tomorrow for some reason. Will get back to this thread.</p>
<p>GA Tech, RPI, and RIT wouldn’t even be on the radar at that point, unless money was a factor. Cornell would be my choice easily as an engineer - the best engineering program of the three remaining and the best place overall IMO.</p>
<p>The engineering rankings are (to my knowledge) entirely peer assessment, so I guess in a sense it’s not reliable because it’s not based on any quantitative factors. Additionally, it doesn’t appear as if there’s an employer component; it’s purely academic.</p>
<p>If you want chemical engineering, go to Cornell over Penn. For no reason should you go to Georgia Tech over Cornell or Penn–the academic breadth and balance balance at these schools is much better and the Ivy label never hurt anyone ;)</p>
<p>Go to UPenn. It also has an excellent undergrad engineering programs, but not so much well-known for postgrad engineering. Based on my personal observation of some friends who have attended UPenn, they looked quite happy and proud of their alma mater school. Besides, you can go to a much better regarded school for engineering for your postgrad education.</p>
<p>Cornell is the best choice in this group. GT is as good in Engineering, but not as well rounded or prestigious as Cornell, JHU and Penn and JHU are as well rounded and prestigious at Cornell, but they are not as good in Engineering.</p>
<p>If you just want chemical engineering, and money is a factor, why on earth didn’t you apply to your home state U? To a very large extent, engineering is engineering, and what you’d likely save by choosing say Iowa State over any of these (unless of course Georgia Tech is in-state for you) will more than pay for that fifth year of studies that amost every engineering student ends up having to do.</p>
<p>Tell your dad that this is the USA. He needs to quit reading the USNWR and start drinking more coffee with the gringos. Pick the cheapest school of the places that admitted you. You will be just fine.</p>
<p>I think his father wants him to go to GT. They are the highest ranked in Engineering and vladdancer seemed to indicate that his father was looking at that as his main criterion.</p>
<p>I picked “gringo” because it means US native citizen as opposed to immigrant. “Yankee” just doesn’t seem to cut it anymore!</p>
<p>I do feel for these neurotic immigrant parents, in part because I have to live with Happydad’s immigrant neuroses. Fortunately, I am “gringa raza pura (pure-bred gringa)” and can pull him back from the edge.</p>