<p>I'm planning to major in Material Science and Engineering or Industrial Engineering. (I got into both schools for Material Science and Engineering) I'm planning to go to graduate school for MBA.</p>
<p>Berkeley:
Pro: I've completed most of my lower division classes in community college.
Con: I live only 20 mins away from the school. I heard engineering in Cal is extrmemly competitive and the grading system is harsh.</p>
<p>Northwestern:
I've never been there, I don't know much about the school, but I'm afraid of the cold weather. I'm curious about the social scene in Northwestern.</p>
<p>I appreciate any opinions and suggestions. Thanks!</p>
<p>What a coincidence! Mat sci and industrial engineering happen to be the two fields where Northwestern actually is ranked higher than Berkeley. The 2006 US News Report ranks Northwestern #2 in mat sci and #4 in industrial engineering. I would say the competition is healthier at NU. As for social scene, you should check out the NU's board. There are loads of info regarding that.</p>
<p>Yea...that's why I can't decide between these two. The 2006 US News Report is out already? Where did you get that info? Do you have the ranks for Berkeley as well?</p>
<p>Yea it's out. I saw it in the bookstore just few days ago. I didn't buy it though so I don't have the ranking of Berkeley's. I am pretty sure it's not #1 in mat sci because usually that's taken by MIT. I also remember its IE is not their strongest ones, so my guess is it's not in the top 3 (it could be one of those that tie for 4th though since I do remember there was a 3 or 4-way tie for that spot).</p>
<p>How come you don't know much about Northwestern but you are interested the fields they are actually very good it? Just "happens"? ;)</p>
<p>I think NU is more collaborative instead of competitive. I didn't go to Berkeley but that's based on what I heard. But I don't know if you can place out the Engineering First sequence at NU. It's a unique sequence that's taken by their freshmen/sophomores and most other schoools don't have it.</p>
<p>I applied to Northwestern because I heard they have good material science and engineering program. When I said I don't know much about Northwestern I meant I don't know how's the surrounding and social scene like in Northwestern, but I've heard it has beautiful campus from my friend who visited it early this year. </p>
<p>I am not the best person to describe it because I came in the school before that curriculum was launched. You should check out their engineering website for details. It's important to know because it's unique and I think it's required. The EA (engineering analysis) series exposes freshmen to engineering principles/design so they can get a feel of what engineering really is early; you'd learn about matlab/linear algebra/mechanics...etc, integrate and apply them to engineering problems. In most other schools, you take those physics/chemistry/math sequences during freshman year and those don't really convey what engineering is; the students there don't learn linear algebra until they finish their calculus sequence and it's taught by the math dept so it's not in the context of engineering application. Since EA covers programming, linear algebra, and some of the physics, you only need probably 2 quarters of physics (instead of one year like most other schools require) and you don't need to take linear algebra or another programming class from the math/comp sci depts like in most other schools. BUt I imagine it can be a bit awkward for the transfers and you should definitely do some research and talk to the dean what you have to do. They may allow you do skip the EAs if you've already took 1 year of physics and programming..etc and allow you to go with the more traditional route as far as the basic requirements go.</p>
<p>You should probably ask knb459 on the NU board. He started the "Prospective Engineering" thread to answer people's questions about NU's program. He's taking Engineering First currently.</p>