<p>As of now I plan on studying mechanical engineering. Im actually a bit stuck between mechanical and electrical engineering because I like circuits as well. I was thinking that I would do mechanical and specialize in mechatronics. Anyway, I got into both Johns Hopkins and the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. I really like hopkins because it is a smaller school and I liked the feel of the campus, but Im wondering if it has as much respect in the industry as UM? I know Hopkins is the top school in the country for biomedical engineering, but Im wondering if their other engineering departments are good as well. Ive read that the engineering industry isnt really driven by prestige, so guess the Hopkins name would really do me much good. UM is ranked forth by US news for mechanical engineering, although I dont know how much merit is really in those rankings.</p>
<p>The only reason I would go to JHU is for biomedical engineering + something else. If biomedical engineering interests you, you can double it up with either mechanical or electrical if you wish. If not, then UMich should be a better choice IMO.</p>
<p>For undergraduate engineering programs overall Michigan is ranked 6th and JHU is ranked 14th so not too much difference. Go with the school you like best.</p>
<p>According to USNews, Umich is rated 4th for mechanical engineering and Hopkins is rated 22nd. What does this really mean in terms of how it will affect me? Does this mean that Michigan has more research going on or that Grads have more job opportunities or better starting salaries?</p>
<p>A real issue for me is that I have worked my ass off during high school to get into a school like Hopkins and now that I got in it's hard to turn down. I could have done much less work than I did and still gotten into Michigan. It's really hard to accept that all of those all-nighters that I pulled studying for finals and midterms and all the work I did to get at the top of the class was for nothing.</p>
<p>However, I still think there's a good chance that I will end up going to Michigan, since apparently it has one of the top programs in what I want to do. I'm visiting the campus next week. Ive heard that it's really nice and what not, so I guess the only thing that worries me in that regard is that I'm not sure if I want to go to such a big school.</p>
<p>If you are an east coast dude and like a smaller school, go to JHU. I think there are only about 5000 undergrads there.</p>
<p>U of M has around 24000 undergrads. Yeah, it's big, but managable. There are frats, parties, Big Ten Football, hockey, midwest fall etc. </p>
<p>Academically, they are even(both for engineering and all liberal arts). No recruiter or grad school cares.</p>
<p>My $.02: go to Michigan. Ann Arbor is a great place, a lot better than Baltimore. You can always make a big school seem smaller; you cannot make a small school seem bigger.</p>
<p>Most of us, are more concerned about the 'Prestige' factor' than the education itself. I have had the opportunity to interact with students from smaller well respected private universities as well as those from large public universities like the Berkeley and Michigan. I have mentioned these two, as the subject is 'engineering'.</p>
<p>During my search process, I had tried to get feedback on the private universities (including JHU/Duke/Rice) from people who are successful in careers. Most of them, with engineering background, and located in New York, Chicago, and LA. These cities because of available contacts. </p>
<p>My findings are:</p>
<ol>
<li>MIT and Stanford, get an instant advantage,when it comes to recruitment.</li>
<li>Berkeley and Michigan are extremely well respected.</li>
<li>In the area of Information Technology, CMU and UIUC, have as much presence as any other university.</li>
<li>Duke, Rice, JHU, Washington University in St. Louis, are considered as very good for "undergraduate experience", but the most common comment was, "If you are interested in engineering, try to get into Berkeley or Michigan" .</li>
</ol>
<p>I tried to probe it further by talking about the scope for better interaction with the teaching faculty in the private universities. The most common reply was, " Yes. But you can always have the same experience at Berkeley or Michigan, if you are good!". </p>
<p>I have come to the coclusion that the common perception very much exists with those who are in positions to recruit. To me, getting a good job, after graduation is very important! </p>
<p>Let me add that in the social circle JHU/Duke/CMU will give some 'extra praise'.</p>