<p>I am applying for Mechanical Engineering. I possibly want to go to business school after college and my career goals are to end up in management or something entrepreneurial. I have a good shot at getting into Rice, Vandy, Texas A&M, and USC.</p>
<p>Although Rice and Vandy are more highly ranked overall and more prestigious, would I be better off attending A&M or USC because they are more highly ranked e schools?</p>
<p>No. The smaller schools will provide more personal attention and much smaller classes. At Rice you would be in a very collaborative environment. The Patent Board ranks Rice No. 1 in the US for impact of its patents on industry.</p>
<p>If I was paying I'd go to TAMU no question.</p>
<p>If I wasn't paying I'd probably go to Rice or Vandy.</p>
<p>I'd almost definitely go to Rice out of those 4, it has a very highly regarded engineering program.</p>
<p>how is vandy's program regarded? I much preferred the vandy campus to rice</p>
<p>As an engineering major myself from A&M, I can personally say you can't go wrong with going to A&M. Great networking (especially w/in TX), public school tuition beats the other 3 privates you listed, friendly environment, great engineering school. Good luck with your decision and if you have any questions about A&M I'd be more than willing to answer them... to my best ability atleast.</p>
<p>I would attend those schools in the following order of preferences:</p>
<ol>
<li>Rice</li>
<li>USC</li>
<li>Vanderbilt</li>
<li>A&M</li>
</ol>
<p>All have good engineering programs, and USC's programs are on the rise.</p>
<p>wobudong, got a link for that?</p>
<p>Fit is HUGELY different between those schools.</p>
<p>A&M and Rice are very nearly polar opposites. USC is very large and very west-coast. Vandy is small and well-steeped in all the goodness of Nashville.</p>
<p>I'm extraordinarily biased towards Rice, since I'm an alumna and think it's seriously the greatest thing ever, but I really think it'll come down to fit and finance. Weigh how you think you fit in with the campuses vs. how financially difficult it will be to attend each, and then base your decision off that. I think in terms of academics, all four will give you a great shot.</p>
<p>You know, I really like how they do the rankings. I just don't like how it only says the University of Texas. I'd like to know how a specific school within the UT-System does in patents particularly Austin.</p>
<p>I think you should go where you most like the school and surroundings, provided money isn't an issue. I think there are lot of positives to all the schools and any will give you a good education. Size of school should definitely be a consideration.</p>