<p>I'm a UT Austin Aerospace Engineering student. I'm a Bay Area native, and would prefer to return to the Bay Area for grad school this Fall. Unfortunately, there aren't any second tier universities in the Bay Area (as expected, I was rejected by Stanford, and though I haven't heard from Berkeley yet, don't see how I could get in). However, I'm wondering whether I should take a look at SCU for either a masters in either ME with the Space Systems Program or EE, probably in Microwaves and Communications.</p>
<p>How good is an engineering masters at SCU for opening up employment opportunities (in the Bay Area)? Are the graduate engineering students mostly working people? I don't want to be surrounded only by working people who're picking up an education on the side. Of course, both of these questions would be irrelevant if I manage to land a job now, but given the current job climate and my entry-level experience, I'd want to be better safe than sorry, and be prepared to be a full time student this Fall.</p>
<p>Also, how rigorous is the coursework? Is there a lot of trivial work? I get tired out and bored at the same time if I have to do too much menial homework/labwork.</p>
<p>Would I be losing out a lot by attending SCU instead of a more big name university for my Masters? Are there any advantages to SCU over the big name universities (aside from reputation)?</p>
<p>Obviously, I'll be visiting SCU to get some idea about the school, but any information or advice you guys have would be greatly appreciated.</p>