Financial aid is equivalent at each for my situation. I’m looking at engineering (preferably materials science and nanotechnology) and entrepreneurship. My real passion is entrepreneurship while I find engineering as the means to an end. I also value having a lot of things to do, I plan on being very active. Any help is appreciated!
I would pick between Northwestern and Yale based on your interests. As you probably know, Northwestern is a powerhouse in Mat science / nano / chemistry (with Farley center too). But also, Yale is Yale. Let us know what you end up deciding!
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What do you want your experience to be in college?
It seems a little late to be asking this question! I’d also vote for Yale - it may not have the strongest engineering program, but it would be a great place for someone who sees engineering as a means to an end - and it’s Yale!
Yale is not the place for engineering… One vote for columbia
Columbia is not the place for engineering… One vote for Northwestern
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-materials
NU is #6
^^But he is not entering a doctorate program, therefore the research output of professors and grad students has less bearing.
That is the ranking for materials engineering UNDERGRADUATE programs that offer a doctorate degree.
ah, thank you, I saw the word doctorate but did not click the link. There are no official rankings of undergraduate programs. Nevertheless it seems a very strong choice and he may take advantage of the entrepreneur certificate.
http://fcei.northwestern.edu/curriculum/undergraduate-certificate.html
OP all these colleges have pros and cons. You had a very good year. You will be able to do many things at all of them. They all have very satisfied grads. Didn’t you have to pick already May 1? What’s it going to be?
Actually, the undergrad program at Northwestern is probably better than even what the graduate ranking indicates. There are only 20 majors each year, so students to faculty ratio is low. I was told Northwestern undergrads couldn’t fill all the internship spots available to them.
Here’s the list of past winners of undergrad design competition by American Society for Metals. Northwestern is the most represented.
2014 Undergraduate Design Competition Winners
First Prize
University of Maryland
“Novel PBA-Grafted Carbon Nanotube Soft Body Armor”
Second Prize
Michigan Technological University
“A Redesign of the Tap Bit for ArcelorMittal’s No. 7 Blast Furnace”
Third Prize
Northwestern University
“Design of a Fatigue-Resistant Shape Memory Alloy for Artificial Heart Valve Frames”
2013 Undergraduate Design Competition Winners
First Prize
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
“Controlled Deformation of a Slender Structure”
Second Prize
Michigan Technological University
“Design of an Eta-Phase Strengthened Nickel-Based Alloy”
2012 Undergraduate Design Competition Winners
First Prize
Northwestern University
“TRIP-150 Blast Protection Alloy”
Second Prize
Michigan Technological University
“Reduction of Residual Stresses in Case Brake Rotors”
2011 Undergraduate Design Competition Winner
University of Texas Arlington
2010 Undergraduate Design Competition Winners
First Prize
University of Alabama
“Iron Melting Cupola Furnace & Heat Recuperating System”
Second Prize
Northwestern University
“FSW Aluminum Alloy”
Third Prize
University of Florida
“Space Race: Materials Selection for the NASA Lunar Rover Vehicle Conical Wheel”
2009 Undergraduate Design Competition Winners
First Prize
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
“Design of a Natural Adhesive: Retracing the Path of the Early Chumash”
Second Prize
Northwestern University
“Ti51111: TRIP Titanium”
Third Prize
Georgia Institute of Technology
“Inorganic Templating of Pollen for Catalytic Material Applications”
2008 Undergraduate Design Competition Winners
First Prize
Northwestern University
“Super Bubble: Science-Based Design of High Performance Bubblegum”
Second Prize
Boise State University
“Increasing Throughput of an Anodic Alumina Film Process”
Third Prize
Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
“Alterations of Mixing Atmosphere and Amine Accelerator Concentration in PMMA Bone Cement for Reduced Set Time”
You say your “real passion is entrepreneurship” and that you need lots of activity and “things to do.” Oddly, the people giving advice focus on the third and least important thing you mention, which is a particular engineering program that you state clearly is just a means to your real goal of starting a business.
Based on your preferences, I would say you would be best off in a program and an urban setting that generate lots of startups using engineering or scientific research.
That would clearly tilt the balance toward a school in Boston or the Bay Area ie MIT, Berkeley or Stanford. Why is none of those three schools on your shortlist?
(Btw Yale is a wonderful place with plenty to do, but (Fred Smith aside) one doesn’t really associate it with entrepreneurship…)
^Northwestern’s undergrad program has a unique emphasis on creative design and “whole-brain engineering”. “Design Thinking & Communication” is embedded in the first-year curriculum for which freshmen design products for real-world clients. There are also two design-related engineering programs available to undergraduates - manufacturing design & engineering and Segal design certificate. Undergrads can also take entrepreneurship courses and complete a certificate in entrepreneurship. In addition, Design for America, was originated at Northwestern. Its projects have won many awards; most of them were by Northwestern undergrads.
According to Pandodaily, Northwestern was ranked #1 in tech entrepreneurship. I am not sure if it deserves #1 ranking but I wouldn’t disregard it simply because it’s not in Boston or the Bay Area.
http://designforamerica.com/awards/
http://fcei.northwestern.edu/curriculum/undergraduate-certificate.html
http://segal.northwestern.edu/programs/index.html
http://pando.com/2013/09/28/is-your-school-underrated-for-tech-entrepreneurship/
I didn’t argue for “disregarding” NW; I merely said it’s strange for someone technical whose top priority is launching a business not to even consider MIT, UC Berkeley, or Stanford. Something’s off here.
What’s off, @faireunoeuf? Doesn’t the OP have to be admitted by those schools you listed and find them affordable for them to be options?
I have committed to NU, and was waitlisted at the rest of the schools, however, I have gained a significant amount of merit awards (national merit) as well as others and a consulting job. I would like to consider my other options so I’m not cornered to make a decision in two weeks. I did apply ED to MIT and was rejected. I also prefer to spend my undergrad on the east coast.
I have also recently conside red Industrial Engineering as a major. I appreciate the help! Keep it coming!
I have to say the original post is somewhat misleading - how did you know FA was equivalent at each? “Considering options” is fine, but it’s helpful when you’re more transparent asking for advice/opinion in discussion boards.
I was awarded a last dollar scholarship, so FA isn’t a factor. I apologize if my situation wasn’t clear. Was not trying to be misleading!
I say stick to NU - it sounds like a great fit. Make the most of the opportunities available to you there (and it sounds like there will be many).
I am still a little confused. But if it makes you feel better, NU has the best industrial engineering among these four schools; NU has a managerial analytics certificate program that is very popular among IE majors and is offered by Kellogg School of Management. Students in the program take graduate level courses.
Here’s an article on Forbes: “Northwestern’s Non-Linear Approach To Innovation”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathansalembaskin/2015/05/07/northwesterns-non-linear-approach-to-innovation/