<p>I plan on visiting Princeton again sometime this month, because I haven't really spent a lot of time with students. I might also visit Cornell again, however I don't really like how big it is and it seems like more of a party school than the other two. When I visited last I loved both campuses, however I am absolutely in love with everything CMU. I love all the social aspects of CMU - Tartan, Scottie, The Fence, Carnival, Buggy, Scotch'n'Soda, nerdy people, etc. etc.</p>
<p>However I don't know if this social aspect of CMU outweighs the academic excellence of Princeton or Cornell Engineering. Especially considering that Princeton's strongest engineering discipline is Chemical whereas it is CMU's weakest program. Plus, Princeton is generally strong overall in all other departments like humanities. Whereas CMU is more technically focused (plus business and drama), but it's not exactly known for humanities. Then, Cornell is definitely the strongest overall in Engineering of the Ivys.</p>
<p>Obviously I've already done a lot of thinking about this, but I still can't make a decision. I could really use any other thoughts or opinions on what I should do?</p>
<p>I would offer that the top undergraduate engineering universities are quite similar in excellence and that you need to go where you feel you best fit in. </p>
<p>“I would offer that the top undergraduate engineering universities are quite similar in excellence and that you need to go where you feel you best fit in.”</p>
<p>I totally agree with the above statement. Don’t select colleges based on rankings alone. Go where you feel you most fit. There are pros/cons at every school and at this point, go by where it is financially viable and where you like it. As far as opportunities go, I have heard Princeton is the tops in that but bear in mind, they have a senior year mandatory thesis and they don’t let you double major or minor. They have certificate programs. All three have intense Engineering programs.</p>
<p>You know your stuff better than any of us here are likely to know… CMU is a terrific school if you have a niche area like that and it meshes with what that school has. You can really do a lot there from every thing I have experienced. The atmosphere and social scene is different from a lot of school, more like Cornell, IMO than Princeton’s but if those who like it really do, it seems. FOr those who don’t, it’s difficult, IMO more difficult than many places that have ambivalence. </p>
<p>For overall rep, Princeton, for sure. But when you are so interested in something so specialized, do check out where you get the most opportunities for this. It may well be another school. I’ve known kids who are so into some area, to a degree that other than the top of top, it’s limiting to them, and for, it’s important to go specialized rather than general. And who knows, maybe Princeton is as up there more in that specialty. That’s where your expertise comes into play and your decision as to how big of a role that plays in the decision. Great choices, congrats.</p>
<p>In response to fall2016parent, I would just like to clarify that a senior thesis is not required for Princeton engineers as far as I know. (I’m a current student, though not an engineer.) I think Cornell and Princeton are considered pretty similar as the top engineering Ivies, so I wouldn’t choose between them based on that, and I do think that Princeton is the most well-rounded liberal arts one. Otherwise, I can’t offer any insight except that my engineering friends here definitely work hard, and that I love the diversity of strong academic interests and programs at Princeton that I think you rarely find in other schools.</p>
<p>Princeton engineering buildings looked really old with narrow hallways etc… When I went for a visit, the tour guide was not very energetic. So, overall didn’t get very excited!</p>
<p>Actually I think many engineers do have a senior thesis requirement (my son will and is a sophomore BSE student). However I think in some cases the senior thesis may be replaced with a significant project </p>
<p>How about check out their student profile Math SAT and ACT?</p>
<p>These are from American Society for Engineering Education. You can change university name to see information of other universities. I am listing from highest to lowest Math SAT and ACT of these three: </p>
<p>^ Sorry, I had been away for quite some time and just saw your question to me…</p>
<p>I know it is hard to compare, but let me put it this way: Princeton has grade deflation and grades are caped at 30% A, so it seems to be quite competitive and won’t be easy to get high GPA.</p>
<p>Then Cornell Engineering math SAT is ~100 point higher than Princeton Engineering and is with more students, getting high GPA isn’t easy either. </p>
<p>Compare these two, don’t know if anyone know which one is easier (not easy, for sure) for students to stand out on academic achievement. I think I have to admit that I may have asked a question with no answer; unless anyone know twins with similar ability went to Princeton Engineering and Cornell Engineering respectively.</p>