<p>Hi all, I'm a grade 12 student with offers from the schools listed above. I'm gonna study engineering, and most likely Electrical Engineering or Materials Science. My future career would probably be related to Renewable energy or the energy industry. So here's several questions for you guys (I will post the same thread in the other 2 forums.), thanks a lot for any valueable information from you! </p>
<p>1, Generally, I think CMU have a stronger EE program in comparison to the other 2, while I think JHU and Northwestern are more well-rounded schools. (feel free to refute any of these points I held), how do you think of the balance? Shall I go to an engineering school like CMU or a school maybe less competitive of my major but have a variety of options and different guys to get along with in my undergraduate years? </p>
<p>2, How's the energy research center of these three universities? I think most of the top-notched schools are having Energy research center or center for sustainable development,etc., how's the energy research center in your school? Is the center the leader of some specific field for example solar or wind (or I should ask what's the emphasis of research in the center)? Is the center having some very famous and impressive professors? and is it accessible to students? Especially undergraduate? </p>
<p>I don’t yet attent NU, so I can’t be of too much help, but for my opinion on question one, I would prefer, personally, to go to a well-rounded school, such as NU, because I like hanging out with different types of people, like different things, etc. Also, CMU is 3:2 guys, NU is about equal with just slightly more females, with JHU being the opposite of NU with slightly more guys. I personally wouldn’t want 3 guys for each 2 girls, :-D</p>
<p>You need to decide for yourself what is important for your college life, no one can do that for you. </p>
<p>You are correct that CMU is very focused on whatever your major is with little or no outside classes or even real contact to kids in other majors. It was begun as a trade school and that is still pretty much what it is, maybe one of the best trade schools in the world, but still a trade school nontheless. Do you want a more diversified education and social life?</p>
<p>Johns Hopkins is a great school with strong math, science, and creative writing areas. The biggest negative to Johns Hopkins is the location - it’s just not a great part of town. Does that matter to you?</p>
<p>NU is a great school with many strong areas and there is actually interaction between the different schools and kids in different majors. It is also in a fun small town and very close to Chicago. More of the traditional concept of a university.</p>
<p>That’s the difference in a nutshell without going into rankings and other silly stuff (IMHO). They are all great choices with great programs and will get you where you want to go in the end. What’s important to you? Good luck!</p>
<p>^In addition, Northwestern is stronger in materials science and is among the best in the world in that field. </p>
<p>I don’t know anything about energy research; in general, because it’s so multidisciplinary and broad, it is usually not widely available at the undergrad level in most universities. That said, there are definitely “green” research projects at NU and the administration seems very supportive with undergrad research (I read that 40% of engineering undergrads participate in research).</p>
<p>If you’re talking about my last post, I mean that in terms of energy conservation, all buildings will be LEED certified, which means it’s energy efficient to a certain level. There are already a few that are LEED and all new ones will be too.</p>