I am an international student and I am admitted by both Minerva Schools at KGI and UIUC ECE department. Which institute should I choose?
Really love Minerva’s pedagogy but my parents say it is too risky to go to a college with no current graduated students.
I got 2300 old SAT and one international and several national/state awards in science/engineering. Three AP 5s and 2400 sat subject and around 10+ ECs.
I think you’re parents are correct. I love the idea as well, but it is way too early to tell how it will be ‘accepted’ by the general population/grad schools/employers.
In addition, it really is all online learning - and yes, there is supposed to be a ton of interaction, but I don’t buy that it’s exactly the same as when you’re sitting in the room with 20 peers. You can’t possible see and interact/interject quite as much from behind a computer as you can face to face. I just don’t know and being a little cautious here I think makes the most sense. Plus they don’t offer nearly the level of courses you will find at UIUC. Have you looked at the curriculum? It’s very lacking in some areas - not a lot of room to change your mind or change course direction.
UIUC is a very well established and an excellent institution; you can’t go wrong.
I’m really in no place to give advice because I’m in the same position, trying to decide between a well established research university and Minerva, which I’m still half convinced is a dream.
All I can say is, whichever choice you make is going to be right for you. I know Minerva is the right decision for me, but it is still scary to take that leap of faith, both in myself and this new innovative institution. Maybe I’m naive or too idealistic, but I know that if I go with the safe choice it’ll be something I’ll regret for the rest of my life.From being on countless college tours, I’ve tried the large lecture halls, or even not-so-large classrooms, and I’ve realized that passive learning is not for me. That the only way I really learn is when I’m forced to take an active role, to constantly be forming/changing my opinions, and defending what I believe. If you have faith in yourself and in how this institution will mold you, it shouldn’t matter that it doesn’t have the same name recognition as UIUC. Are you paying x amount of money and investing 4 years of your life to gain an important set of skills, or so you can name-drop at job interviews? If you can, come to Ascent Weekend next week, check out the school for yourself, see what the learning platform is like. It might be a good idea to block out everyone else’s opinion for a bit and focus on what you want.Your parents know what’s good for you, but they may not know what’s best for you. Only you know that.
Yep, IMO, lectures are a waste of money. Opportunities outside of class and brand-name may not be, but lectures are.