<p>Given that you are from CA and don’t object to living in CA, I can’t imagine how you “don’t really like any of the UC’s” but somehow are interested in UT and A&M. Not seeing the difference.</p>
<p>CalPoly has a really good program. Without your stats and financial info we can’t give advice about whether to consider these schools as well. Both are excellent for just about every engineering field, but that can be said for Berkeley, UCLA, etc. too.</p>
<p>BTW: speaking as a current student, some of my favorite college instructors have been TAs leading discussion sections and I don’t get why this is supposedly a bad thing. Getting a PhD doesn’t magically transform an awful teacher into a good one, and I find that having an instructor closer to myself in age/experience can be a net positive. YMMV.</p>
<p>I have a thread on my profile with my stats. And the UC’s don’t appeal to me at all, I’m not a fan of the campuses and I can’t imagine myself at them. UT and A&M both look better and I can possibly see myself going to one of them although Cal Poly is my first choice as of now.</p>
<p>As far as the TA thing, I’ve just heard that they aren’t as good with teaching but then again there are professors that can suck so it’s one of those things you can’t avoid.</p>
<p>What is it about the UC’s that don’t appeal to you? TAMU will be very different from the UC’s; while UT-Austin will be closer (culturally). If you can post a little more detail on what you’re looking for, I’m sure you’ll get better recommendations.</p>
<p>As it is now, all you’ll get is CA vs TX discussions that have more to do with politics than the schools :)</p>
<p>Yes they do teach economics in Texas. That $800 for an apartment makes better economic sense than paying $3500 for less of an apartment. And for $800 you get a parking spot. Which is nice because in Texas we own cars! </p>
<p>J/K…I like NYC but just wouldn’t want to live there. </p>
<p>Seriously, Texas is a hotbed now economically. Still reasonable housing, lots of good jobs and more companies relocating to Texas. No personal income tax is a good thing too.</p>
<p>My son is a National Merit Semi-Finalist. If he makes finalist, he’d be eligible for a full tuition scholarship at Texas A & M. That would make TAMU cheaper than the UC’s for us. He’s planning to be an EECS major. What would you think of TAMU vs. UCB/UCLA/UCSD given the cost trade-off? And when you say “UT” – which school in Texas are you referring to? UT-Austin?</p>
<p>UT means University of Texas - Austin. Normally it is just called UT or Texas if you are in Texas. Texas A&M is normally referred to as just A&M.</p>
<p>To determine the cost trade-off make sure to include travel for your son and the family. Driving in state to San Diego or LA is much cheaper than having the family fly in to visit for a long weekend.</p>
<p>Have you visited either school? They are quite different in some aspects yet they are only about 100 miles apart.</p>
<p>UCB is better for EECS than A&M and somewhat better than UT. I am not certain that makes a lot of difference on the projected new graduate salaries though.</p>
<p>TAMU gives more than just tuition for engineering students.</p>
<p>A&M undergrad and grad engineering programs are both ranked in the top 20 by US News & World Report. In addition, I believe the Graduate CE and EE programs are also in the top 20. So, there is a consensus among college professors and university administrators that students can get a first rate EECS education at A&M. So, I doubt anyone at MIT, Caltech, CMU or Stanford Graduate School EE Admissions is going to say don’t take this kid because he attended A&M EECS, take this one because he attended UT …</p>