Ivy League vs Local universities

College Search & Selection
1

<p>so im in a dilemma. ive been fortunate enough to been accepted to 3 schools for GRADUATE studies:</p>

<p>University of Southern California for Elec Engr
University of California, Irvine for Elec Engr
University of Pennsylvania for Systems Engr</p>

<p>I am from california and i went to UCI for my undergraduate studies in EE. now i am figuring out what I should do for grad school. I made a list of key features whether good or bad</p>

<p>UCI:
-Cheap, ~20k for the program
-I know the faculty and some students. Easier to make friends and i know the school.
-I can commute from home to save money.</p>

<p>USC:
- Better name than UCI. Nationally known (partially to its football). Best engineering rank.
- Can possibly commute or take train. But nonetheless its 40 miles from home so i know the area alright and i have a car.
- Expensive, 100k for the program</p>

<p>UPenn:
- Probably more worldwide known than the other two being an Ivy league.
- Expensive, 100k
- Far from home. Don't know about weather, living habits, etc.
-Major is systems engr. Curriculum is 1/2 business which is REALLY what I like. Some will be taken at Wharton.</p>

<p>So I have talked to many professionals and most tell me that I should go to either UCI or USC. They said that if I want to work in California after, which I do, I should stay in California since UPenn's network is mostly east coast. on top of that USC and UCI would be economically cheaper in terms of having a car and knowing the area. on top of that i have a current internship i can keep. they said work experience is the most important thing looking for jobs.</p>

<p>so its logical to stay in california. BUT heres the dilemma. i want to eventually do an MBA and go on doing business or sales. maybe even entrepreneurship. If I go to UPenn, I am simply buying their brand name. Will it help in admissions to a MBA program saying I've taken classes at a top tier business school like Wharton? Also, say in business or sales, does it help to have come from a well known name?</p>

<p>I am looking for a long term return on investment. Any comments/opinions welcome.</p>

<p>For your reference:
USC National Rank ~ 25s, Engr Rank #7
UCI National Rank ~ 40s, Engr Rank ~40s
UPenn National Rank #4, Engr Rank ~30s</p>

2

<p>The national rank of a university should not be a factor in your decision. For graduate studies, the relevant rank is for the department in which you’ll be studying, as well as the number and quality of faculty members who are doing research that interests you.</p>

<p>The money should be a large consideration, also, unless you will be able to get an assistantship at one of the more expensive programs.</p>

3

<p>Ivy League does not matter for the graduate program, unless they have a a top ranked program. If you’re planning to do only an MS, it’s like a one year program, right? So it’s not going to matter that much anyway.</p>

<p>The programs you’re talking about are not in the top 20 for EECS.</p>

<p>Top Tier EECS (USNWR)
MIT
Stanford
UIUC
UC Berkeley
Georgia Tech
UMich
Cal Tech
Cornell
CMU
Purdue
UT Austin</p>

4

<p>If you want to do engineering with a goal of actually being an engineer, then USC or UCI would be your best bet. But if you have the goal of doing something outside of pure engineering, Penn would be your best bet.</p>

5

<p>Is this for a masters or PhD?</p>

6

<p>Why are you talking about MS and PhD programs? The OP has stated that he wants to pursue an MBA once he has graduated from college and has worked for a few years.</p>

7

<p>He wants to work for a few years and then get an MBA after graduating with an advanced EE degree.</p>