<p>How do Princeton, Caltech, Berkeley and CMU compare for Electrical Engineering/Computer Science undergrad? It would be helpful if you could reply with information such as pros and cons or features of each and how they are different from each other (ie., is one more 'practical oriented', one more 'theoretical' etc.) so I can make a decision myself.</p>
<p>It is worth mentioning that Princeton is offering me 90% tuition financial aid while I have no aid at the others.</p>
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<p>Some background:
I have been working on computer software (especially 3d games) since the 6th grade by learning through the internet and books. I have released my work as open source on the web, participated in internet community discussions on the topics and collaborated with other people online on projects. Recently I have been interested in building simple vehicles and programming and controlling them wirelessly from the computer.</p>
<p>My area of interest is thus a hybrid of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (like Systems Engineering) with practical work.</p>
<p>Thank you. :)</p>
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<p>How does net cost after non-loan financial aid compare at the various schools?</p>
<p>Large differences could make a large difference in the amount of student loan debt that you will be dragging around after graduation.</p>
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I think that would be Computer Engineering, not Systems Engineering. Systems Engineering is not practical work at all. However, Caltech has a good
Systems Engineering Master program so maybe the undergrade education there would be good for Systems Engineering.
Personally, I think Berkeley has the best combo EE/CS. Princeton is prestigious and offer you money so I would pick Princeton.</p>
<p>Electrical Engineering Rankings</p>
<p>USNWR Undergraduate
4… UC Berkeley
7… Caltech
10. CMU
12. Princeton</p>
<p>USNWR Graduate
2… UC Berkeley
5… Caltech
7… CMU
11. Princeton</p>
<p>NRC Graduate
2… Princeton
6… Caltech
12. UC Berkeley
23. CMU</p>
<p>Computer Science Rankings</p>
<p>USNWR Undergraduate (Computer Engineering)
2… CMU
5… UC Berkeley
9… Caltech
13. Princeton</p>
<p>USNWR Graduate (Computer Engineering)
1… UC Berkeley
5… CMU
8… Caltech
10. Princeton</p>
<p>USNWR Graduate (Computer Science)
1… CMU
1… UC Berkeley
8… Princeton
11. Caltech</p>
<p>NRC Graduate (Computer Science)
2… Princeton
4… UC Berkeley
5… CMU
55. Caltech</p>
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<p>hard to believe that Caltech and CMU would not match or get close this this level of Princeton’s financial aid. The difference is around $140,000 for the four years that you will be in college - very significant.</p>
<p>Take the money from Princeton. There is simply no reason here to give up 140k.</p>
<p>The reason I didn’t get the financial aid in the other places is that I’m an international student. CMU and Berkeley don’t give aid for internationals, and I didn’t apply at Caltech (not need-blind).</p>
<p>So right now I’m leaning toward Princeton due to the aid and all-round education environment (get to experience arts/humanities too at the highest level). Also, orange+black is my favourite colour combination. :P</p>
<p>I’m also on the MIT waitlist, let’s see how that goes.</p>
<p>anonymous, in addition, the Princeton departmental quality is really not that far off from the other three in the areas that you are considering entering (actually higher, if you believe the NRC rankings)…and finally, you have that breathtakingly beautiful campus to enjoy</p>
<p>Do the math. I expect that Princeton is the least expensive. If it is, go there. You will be glad you saved that much money.</p>
<p>From what I understand, even if a waitlist clears, it may not come with FA because it is already given to admitted students (at least that is one of points advisors ask you to ensure and not specific to MIT as an issue).</p>