I got accepted!! But...

<p>I got accepted to Purdue University for Electrical Engineering.
However, I heard that it's really easy to get into their engineering program.
Why exactly is that? They have at least top 10 spots in each engineering category yet I still hear that it's easy and that it's not a really good school</p>

<p>So what do you think about Purdue University before I take the punge</p>

<p>By the way, their EE program is #8 in the nation.</p>

<p>Just because it's ranked high doesn't really mean it's hard to get into. They might have a lower selectivity but still have an excellent program. I think it's a good school. It might just have the program you're looking for and it can suit you well.</p>

<p>I always thought Perdue was a great school. I'm not from the south and haven't researched it, but I have always heard and thought good things about it. That's just the general opinion I have heard. I think that you have to consider the difference between being accepted to the program and actually getting a degree from the program.</p>

<p>lol, last i checked indiana wasn't in the south</p>

<p>purdue does have a low selectivity rating, however it's staying in that's the real challenge i hear. i visited purdue, and the only things i didn't like were surrounding town which seems kinda dull, and the fact that there really isn't a music program. though since i'm going into engineering i doubt i would have the time for music. but anyways, it's a great place, good campus, LOTS of people (i like that, others might not), decent dorms, pretty good co-op connections, plus a name that will be recognized by grad schools and employers. purdue's not amazing like stanford and mit, obviously, but it's a place for people that aren't on that genious level.</p>

<p>Excellent point :p I wonder how many people drop out by the time the second semester starts. It just puzzles me why they would have such a low selectivity if their program is one of the 10 best. If anyone else has insight into this it would greatly help, i'll be reading some reviews as well</p>

<p>Also, I applied to UIUC, but not for EE but for Business, which might have been a big mistake. I was wondering if I could switch majors before college starts or if they would let me. I'm kinda desparate here since EE is really what I want to do for my undergrad, and then go the business direction afterwards. Is it really hard to switch?</p>

<p>Any hints or help?</p>

<p>Woops, I meant to say I am from the south. I know geography. Just a typo. I actually live in GA.</p>

<p>not as many people apply/matriculate at purdue because while it may have a good program, it's not that great of a place to many people. i have a friend that goes there that says it's incredibly boring and dull.</p>

<p>Purdue is just another example where selectivity does not equal quality. Both IU and Purdue have relatively open admissions policies. Yet, both schools have some of the best programs in the nation.</p>

<p>What happens, particularly in the engineering programs, is that many students are "weeded out" after the first semester or two (it happened to one of my old bosses). These students then either transfer out or (more likely) switch to other majors. </p>

<p>I continually find it amusing that so many individuals equate selectivity in the admissions process with the quality of education available at that school. I tend to believe that qualitative rankings of specific majors or programs are, for the most part, a sham (from what I have seen, for the most part they are a function of the size of the program and not necessarily the quality of the program). That being said, I think that you will find that Purdue engineering is highly regarded by most professionals.</p>

<p>Regarding Purdue's location, it is true that there is not much around Lafayette. In that way, I think that it is similar to the University of Illinois and Penn State. Most of the social and cultural activities will revolve around the university. But at lease Lafayette is probably only an hour away from Indianapolis and probably only about an hour and a half away from Chicago.</p>

<p>Would not worry about selectivity.....engineering well respected.</p>

<p>Thank you so much for your points iceman. This will definately give me a lot to think about. I could either go to Purdue first and transfer to UIUC later because it's in state for me or go into UIUC for business and perhaps switch majors my sophmore year.</p>

<p>Quite a query</p>

<p>:D Just curious, does female vs male population matter in the engineering programs? I'm a female and obviously, my dad tells me (he's an EE too) that it will be harder for me..</p>

<p>it will be much easier for you actually</p>

<p>youre like an URM to the engineering departments</p>

<p>yes, your dad is mistaken. we females are in great demand in the engineering world</p>

<p>Excellent :) even better.</p>

<p>Also, sorry for the amount of questions -.-;, are in general, the engineering degree the same no matter where you go within the top 20 schools? Like if you ever got a job, you'd have people graduating from like UIUC and other people from Wichita State. Does where you go really really matter?</p>

<p>i hear that it doesn't matter too much. but if it comes down to someone from uiuc and someone from wichita state, uiuc will probably get the job.</p>

<p>I guess that's good news as a whole :) Thanks CK
Is the engineering industry booming now or has it slowed down?</p>

<p>don't know..
but my dad got his PhD there. =D</p>

<p>they are still in demand....but it is cyclical and dependent upon which discipline you are in....civil vs electrical,etc.</p>

<p>How about electrical/computer? Basic technology, it is growing correct?</p>