<p>I currently attend Purdue University's engineering program. I applied to transfer to University of Illinois Engineering. I want to transfer due to U of I being cheaper but I am hesitant. </p>
<p>I have heard that Purdue's engineering program is more hands-on/practice and U of I's engineering program is more theory. Is there any truth to this?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Maybe. U of I has an excellent repuation for the sciences, like physics and chemistry. I’ve heard from friends at U of I that strong exposure to the sciences is part of the engineering education. For example, Chemical Engineersat U of I study quantum mechanics and spectroscopy - which many other schools wouldn’t require. Perhaps you can get some insight of the difference between U of I and Purdue by looking at their course requirements.</p>
<p>Am I right in assuming that you would rather have hands-on than theoretical work?</p>
<p>To be honest, the two schools are both very good. I attend UIUC and have enjoyed myself the whole time ever since getting to my actual engineering classes. I feel like I have gotten a good mix of theoretical vs. practical. Most of my classes (I am an ME) have dealt with a good mix of both by incorporating a decent amount of theory into lectures and then having projects where you are to apply the theory to realistic problems, which is more hands-on/practical.</p>
<p>Of course, maybe it was super-theoretical and I just didn’t take notice since that is good for me since I am going to get a Ph.D. in this stuff, haha.</p>
<p>No matter which of the two places you end up, you are going to get a great engineering education with awesome job prospects when you are done, and excellent prospects for graduate study should you so choose. Just look at the programs side by side and see what kind of classes are offered.</p>