<p>frankly, i’m ok with it even if it does hinder that secondary goal. we’re never going to have the resources to compete with an MIT or Caltech or Purdue in traditional engineering research. If you’re not going to change the world by helping to build the next space shuttle, you might as well try to change the world by applying an analytical ability with a business understanding.</p>
<p>traditional engineering skills are becoming a commodity. if I need someone to design my circuit board or oversee a mineral processing plant, someone from IIT (at half the cost) is probably just as good as a SEAS grad. If SEAS grads plan to compete based on innovation, people/management skills, well-rounded understanding of the world, and general American ballsyness, that’s great. If true, that’s a plan to make us relevant over the next 20 years.</p>