<p>I read the old thread from last year on this subject, but was wondering if anyone had anything new to add? S was recently accepted to all three engineering programs, and now has to make a decision. Portland definitely by far the most generous with merit aid, followed not too far behind by Gonzaga, with Santa Clara a very distant 3rd. We have visited all three campuses and each is beautiful in it's own way. </p>
<p>Am intrigued by both Portland (Spain) and Gonzaga's (Italy) study abroad programs for engineers sophomore year, but I'm not aware of Santa Clara having something similar set up. However, Santa Clara definitelyhas the best weather of the 3, with a highly ranked engineering program and probably great internship and future employment opportunities. Am wondering specifically if Santa Clara is worth the significantly higher price tag, and more generally what sets any of these 3 schools apart from each other. Would appreciate thoughts from those in the know....</p>
<p>Something very important for you to consider – location, not in terms of weather, but in terms of internships. Seriously, if you’re in engineering, is there a better place to be than the heart of Silicon Valley?! One of my son’s friends is a sophomore at Santa Clara, majoring in engineering, and the prospect of internships with some truly top tier high tech firms in the immediate area is what swayed him to SCU instead of Portland. He’s already got a summer job offer for 2012. Many kids graduate with offers at local firms, and there are a LOT of local firms.</p>
<p>To a certain extent, tuition price doesn’t really matter if you’re an engineer, so long as you don’t change your major. No matter what program he graduates from, he’s very likely to land a job that allows him to very easily pay off loans. Unnecessarily going into debt is never a good thing, but maybe it is worth it. </p>
<p>Engineers can study abroad, but I believe it to be more than difficult than other majors. SCU also offers immersion trips, which are one to two week programs during breaks that can easily be done by someone of any major.</p>
<p>Son and I visited Gonzaga on a drizzly spring Saturday, then flew to Santa Clara and a 75 degree sunny Sunday. We sat down that night and he said, “Dad, I want to be a Zag.”</p>
<p>Not to be mean but the decision is almost a no brainier overall. Santa Clara is kinda by far the best of those. The other two are not really even in the same league. However when it comes down to the environment some people like different environments so that varies. If you feel very strongly about one, go for it. If not Santa Clara is by far the best of those.</p>
<p>Must say I agree with the above. Santa Clara pretty much beats out the others in almost all categories, and definitely for engineering. I would definitely say in terms of the University I would for sure without a doubt choose Santa Clara over the others but as was said the atmosphere that one likes might not be the atmosphere another likes, but if you like the atmosphere at Santa Clara I would go there. Even with it providing the least amount of aid of the three, as the opportunities provided there as well as getting to go there far exceed the cost.</p>
<p>My daughter was accepted to all 3 schools with scholarships. After visiting the 3 schools, I think she is going with Gonzaga. Portland is out because of the weather and she did not feel it was as competitive as the others in terms of reputation, but gave her the biggest scholarship. Santa Clara was gorgeous (o.k., I am biased because I went there) but the scholarship was not as large. As soon as we stepped foot on the campus at Gonzaga, I knew she was sold. There was a school spirit and atmosphere there that Santa Clara didn’t have. Gonzaga had a basketball game coming up and it felt like a pac 10 school! For a small school to feel that way was amazing and I admit I felt the electricity, too. She really felt that Santa Clara was boring in comparison. I am hoping she might change her mind, but Gonzaga also had an amazing Campus in Florence that she is interested in. She is also concerned about the cost of living in California should she stay there after college. We’ll see!</p>