<p>I'm a high achieving junior from New Jersey (2380 SAT superscore, top 5 in a class of 180 just to give a ballpark idea), and I have a question about Return on Investment for colleges. I want to be a chemical engineer, and I want to make sure I get the best financial deal possible out of undergrad. Historically, anyone in my school with qualifications near mine who applies to Rutgers gets a full scholarship or close to it. I'm not getting into MIT or any other school that would make the decision obvious, but I really like Cornell and I think I have a reasonable shot getting into their College of Engineering. Ballparking with the Financial Aid Calculator, if I go to Cornell, I'll end up paying somewhere between 20K and 30K per year, which I will likely split 50-50 with my parents. My question is, is it worth the extra money to go somewhere like Cornell for undergrad (provided I get in), or should I take what will likely be close to a free ride at Rutgers and try to get in somewhere prestigious for my Master's? (I like Cornell's campus, student body, etc. more, but not so much more that it bears significant weight in my decision).</p>
<p>Rutgers is perfectly respectable for chemical engineering; it would be hard to turn down Rutgers for $0 versus anywhere else for $80,000 to $120,000, assuming that you want to work as a chemical engineer (as opposed to an investment banker).</p>
<p>But don’t count your full rides until you actually get them. If you would like to have some low cost options, you may want to include some assured large scholarship schools, like those listed in the sticky thread at the top of the financial aid and scholarships forum section. There is also a list of competitive large scholarships in another sticky thread.</p>
<p>^^what he said.</p>
<p>You may want to explore a few other options in addition to the ones suggested by UBC. (a) If you are a National Merit finalist,consider Minnesota (Twin Cities) for ChemE. UMn is well known for ChemE, and with your stats, you are likely to get close to a full ride.(roughly $5-$7K out of pocket/yr). However, the scholarships are not automatic or assured. (b). If you have any aptitude & interest in biology & medicine, try considering combined BS/MD option. The best chances will be at universities that have weak undergraduate program (better chances of getting a full ride), but have fairly well known medical college with a provision to allow you to apply to other med schools without losing your guaranteed place in their med school. Keep in mind admissions to BS/MD are extremely competitive, and there is no guarantee of admission. There is a separate section in College Confidential that discusses the BS/MD options. </p>
<p>@Trinity7, why would the OP consider Bio/MD when s/he specifically wants to go into Chem E? Chem E has very good salary prospects and no debt for med school. </p>
<p>@futurengineer, do check out the threads @ucbalumnus mentioned. There are some good options on the lists.</p>
<p>@ Erin’s Dad: May be I should have explained better.
Chemical engineering, in addition to training in classical chemical engineering, has branched into biochemical engineering. Biochem E is a pathway to pharmaceutical engineering, bio energy etc. If OP has aptitude/interest in biology, then specializing in biochem E in senior year is a distinct possibility. Also, according to Bureau of Labor statistics, in contrast to general job growth of 11% for general jobs over the next decade, ChemE’s job growth is projected at only 4% (slower than average).
<a href=“http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/chemical-engineers.htm”>http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/chemical-engineers.htm</a></p>
<p>Depending on OP’s interests and the job situation prevailing then, a BS (chemE)/MD provides another way to diversify OP’s options either to stay with chemical engineering after graduation or move into medicine.
This could be another option in addition to the threads by UCB. </p>
<p>^^ Meant to include bio-molecular engineering, increasingly becoming part of chemical engineering. </p>
<p>Long-term, Cornell could be worth the extra money. The working lifespan of an engineer is very short, 10-15 years and you’re out, and moving into management or consulting with a Cornell degree might be the better option. It’s at least worth considering. And Cornell grads might be recruited by higher level companies, and at a more national level - if you want to leave New Jersey right after college, Cornell might be better.</p>
<p>It’s difficult to think like that when you’re 18, but trust me, life takes all sorts of twists and turns you never expect. It still is even almost 35 years later.</p>