Need some advice on deciding what school to choose (Engineering)

College Search & Selection
1

Hi everyone! This is my post here so forgive me if I happen to do anything that is against “proper etiquette” so to speak.

So, it’s coming down to the nitty gritty, and getting closer and closer to May 1 when I have to decide which school to go to for aerospace engineering. The big 3 I have are UIUC, Ga Tech, and UMich. Now Ga Tech is falling a little bit for me, just for personal reasons, not liking the campus as much as the other two, etc. As for UIUC and UMich, i’m leaning much more on the UIUC side because combined with scholarships I got there as well as being in state, it will cost significantly (by a very large amount) less money to go there than the other two.

My main question is about rankings. UMich and Ga Tech are ranked 3rd and 2nd respectively for their aerospace programs, while UIUC is 7th. I understand they are all top 10 and extremely good schools, which is why I’m wondering if the ranking differences at this level are trivial and don’t matter much. I have no doubt i’ll get a good education at UIUC, but are companies more willing to hire graduates of UMich or GA Tech because of rankings? All the curricula are ABET approved, and I just want to know if i’m worrying about nothing here. Thanks so much for the help guys! Any other advice is also appreciated!

2

These schools are all basically equivalent as far as undergrad goes. All of your potential employers recruit at all of these schools.

None of these schools are going to make you an awesome aerospace engineer. You will have to do that yourself. However, each of these great schools will give you opportunities to do so.

Please do not let the difference in ranking sway you in any way.

3

Thanks for the response ClassicRockerDad. I was already told this and thinking this before, but I guess because choosing a college is such a huge decision, you’re bound to have some doubts and second guesses. That’s very reassuring to hear. Any other thoughts from anyone else would be highly appreciated!

4

Bear in mind that rankings are subjective and are useful as general indicators, not absolute comparisons. If you were comparing #2 with #50 there might be a difference worth paying more for. But #2 and #7, definitely not, especially not if the difference in cost is significant. Go to UIUC and save the $$.

5

Do you realize that most hiring employers wouldn’t know (or CARE) what UIUC’s, UMIch’s, and GT’s rankings are?

Employers would consider all of those schools (and more) as equivalent schools. They’re big state flagships with very good engineering.

It would be silly to pay more for UMich over UIUC unless your parents are so affluent that paying that large extra amount would be nothing.

What are your parents saying?

6

Pay attention to whether you have been admitted to your major at each school, or (if not) how difficult it will be to enter your major.

7

UIUC is an excellent program and if it is significantly less money and you like the school it is a very good choice.

8

I agree with those who said the difference in rankings doesn’t matter.

One other factor to consider is which you’d prefer if you were not majoring in engineering. I have no crystal ball to predict what will happen to you, but look around your first engineering classes. At most schools 1/2 of the those kids will drop out of engineering.

9

Re #7

However, retention in engineering is higher at more selective schools or engineering divisions, unless the engineering departments are undersized. Presumably, this means that a strong student anywhere has a higher chance of staying in engineering.