<p>So that past few days I've been wrapping up most of my college decisions. Ultimately I was rejected at UCLA, UMich and UIUC for Aerospace Engineering. I was waitlisted for Georgia Tech and I got into a few good schools like UCSD, UMD, and UMN but I feel like the only acceptance that was really rewarding for me was UCSD because I considered myself basically already accepted at the other schools and treated them like safeties.</p>
<p>After seeing some colleagues and friends getting into places much higher in rankings, part of me feels insignificant, and that I should've applied to more match schools like NYU and BC even though they don't have engineering programs. I'd like to point out that unless I received huge amounts of aid at these schools I would not be able to attend. Being from New York I'll most likely be attending Stony Brook due to financial reasons however it would be at least more satisfying to feel like I would've had the option to attend more prestigious universities. </p>
<p>I just feel like my college experience at SBU won't be the same as going to a more prestigios university with a nicer locale, a stronger alumni network, and the prospect of attending a more prestigious graduate school. SBU is not well known, let's be real about that, it's not close to NYC no matter how much they will use the distance to attract students. </p>
<p>I just don't know how to feel at this point and how to make the best of the situation at hand. Obviously no matter how much I wish I could change certain aspects of my high school career, its not a possibility and should not be taken into account in the current situation. </p>
<p>Perhaps this situation is just tying into the larger picture of finding meaning in my life and the significance of that meaning. Perhaps it is merely the society we are in which equates prestigious universities with meaning and success. I've come to accept the fact that where I thought I was among the student body may not be exactly where I am, and I am beginning to realize that college at the more competitive schools is more of a numbers game for the admissions aside from a few significant cases.</p>
<p>Would anyone like to reconcile with me? Ultimately what is your opinion on attending a school like SBU, how much prestige matters, and how to detach myself from the notion that more selective universities equates to meaning and significance in life?</p>
<p>I feel like from that last paragraph, you know the insignificance of social prejudice when dealing with colleges… Its just a tool that colleges use to get more money and get the best students. If you’re feeling depressed, just transfer after a year.</p>
<p>So on the NRC rankings of graduate programs for Aerospace Engineering, based on faculty quality (<a href=“http://www.phds.org%5B/url%5D”>www.phds.org</a>), </p>
<h1>3 Michigan</h1>
<h1>5 Minnesota</h1>
<h1>8 Maryland</h1>
<h1>9 Georgia Tech</h1>
<h1>10 MIT</h1>
<h1>12 UIUC</h1>
<h1>17 SUNY Buffalo</h1>
<h1>19 UCLA</h1>
<h1>44 UCSD</h1>
<p>You were accepted into #5 and #8. You should be proud. </p>
<p>Minnesota is one of the least expensive schools for OOS, though that may change. Try to see if you can swing it. </p>
<p>Nonetheless, you have nothing to be ashamed about. Stony Brook doesn’t have aerospace. Did you also apply to Buffalo?</p>
<p>UMN all the way for aerospace rank #2 for research and #3 scholarly rank on NRC. Don’t feel sad over college rankings and whatnot, eventually you’ll learn it’s just but a number.</p>
<p>Schaalg is right you can always transfer after a year. I see however that you are giving more importance to the name of the institution than to the career that you want to study. When you say you should have applied to places like NYU or BC but they do not have Engineering what that tells me is that you do not feel proud of yourself for your accomplishments, and that is a problem. You are ready to embark in a very difficult major and you have to ask yourself the following questions:
Do I want to study this major?
Do I believe I am good enough that I can go above and beyond what is given to me in school and tap in to all the resources available for me to further my career.
Do I have what it takes to overcome the obstacles and the difficulties (and there will be many) that this major will present along the way?
Those are the questions you should be asking yourself seriously now. Engineering books are not best sellers. Most schools use the same or similar ones.Do not go to school thinking about what others will think of you and comparing yourself with others. It is a losing strategy.</p>
<p>By and large, an undergrad degree in engineering is an undergrad degree in engineering. If your major is one that ABET accredits for, and the department you will study in is accredited, you are going to be fine. People get into top grad programs every single year from colleges and universities that ate never mentioned here at CC. If you have the grades, GRE scores, and recommendations, come time to apply to grad school you will be fine.</p>
<p>^Yeah, that’s messed up. But sadly, the OP is not alone in the trophy-gathering these days.</p>
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<p>Your college experience will be what you make of it. Do well as an undergrad and you will have the same prospects as students at more prestigious schools.</p>
<p>If you can swing Minnesota financially I’d try to go there. Great university, good school spirit and in a fun city. Sounds like you want to get away from your familiar world, and you should if you can.</p>
<p>To ClassucRockerDad, I applied and was accepted to UB but if I have to choose a SUNY I would prefer SBU for its reputation and a social atmosphere that fits my tastes more. Since Stony Brook doesn’t offer Aerospace Engineering I’m considering majoring in Computer Science as its also a major of interest. </p>
<p>To those who are in favor of UMN I am visiting next weekend and will have a better idea if I should attend or not, they gave me some money but I would still have to take out some loans. </p>
<p>In regards to NYU and BC, they are schools in my ideal locations and match me academically, I would’ve applied as a CS or Physics major. Getting the acceptance would be to satisfy a need to feel accomplished after my high school work which obviously is shallow to an extent, but unavoidable in my community here on Long Island… </p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses they have been very helpful</p>