Hello!
I got accepted into both but am struggling to chose which one would be a better fit as even though Purdue is ranked higher as an overall engineering university but Madison has a higher rank for chemical engineering.
The main thing that I am looking towards is the my aim for masters (for Stanford or Cornell) which uni would be the best for that trajectory (considering that I will continue to work hard throughout the undergraduate years)?
Any help is deeply appreciated <3
I don’t think rankings will be a good barometer of how much a degree at either of these schools will assist you in getting into the master program of your choice. How and what you do in either of those schools while an undergrad will have a far greater impact.
A couple of things to consider. I know more about Purdue than Wisconsin as my D graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree from Purdue. It my understanding that both schools require that you apply as a Chemical Engineering major, however, at both schools you begin in some sort of first year engineering program then transition to your major. In Purdue’s case you choose your top choices the 2nd semester of your freshmen year and upon completion of their FYE program they assign your major based on grades and room in the program. A 3.2 GPA generally ensures admission though many students with lower GPAs are admitted. I think Wisconsin’s GPA to ensure admission is higher, something like 3.5. Again it probably doesn’t mean a lower GPA will prohibit you from being admitted.
Wisconsin will be the more well rounded school. It is Wisconsin’s sole flagship university and is strong in a variety of programs. It will have a more diverse student body in terms of the types of things they study and Madison is typically considered one of the better college towns. Purdue is Indiana’s STEM flagship. Indiana University is their flagship for many other disciplines. It feels much more STEM centric than many other public universities. The Engineering College is in the main part of the campus and nearly a third of the students study engineering or computer science. Consequently the student body feels different. W. Lafayette is a nice town though it probably won’t have the energy of Madison.
Finally, if cost is an issue, all else being equal Purdue has not increased its tuition or room and board since 2012. The President of the university is strongly committed to holding costs steady. If Wisconsin is instate for you or if you have received a better scholarship then that should be considered as well.
Good luck in your decision.
The following describe the grades/GPA you need to meet in college to enter or continue in an engineering major at Purdue and Wisconsin.
https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/InfoFor/CurrentStudents/enrollment-policy
https://www.engr.wisc.edu/academics/student-services/academic-advising/first-year-undergraduate-students/progression-requirements/
“The following describe the grades/GPA you need to meet in college to enter or continue in an engineering major at Purdue and Wisconsin.”
To be completely accurate it should read "The following describe the grades/GPA you need to meet in college to guarantee entry or continue in an engineering major at Purdue and Wisconsin. Purdue has a competitive entry system which accepts lower GPA’s as long as there is room in the programs. I am guessing that Wisconsin’s “benchmarks” are similar though a Wisconsin engineering student would need to answer that.
I’d suggest researching the admission to the major requirements, and requirements for satisfactory progress within the major at each school. I do know that Chem E at UW is one of the most competitive majors and the program has been ranked in the top 5, though I don’t know if that is still the case. Plenty ofUW Chem E hopefuls wind up in another major when they don’t get in.