<p>Hey guys, so I'm looking to become an engineer in one of the following fields: biomedical, chemical, or computer. Now I know that CLEARLY my first choice should be MIT according to STATISTICS ALONE and all that so if you answer MIT please give info other than rah rah we're number 1... thanks! But I'm interested in a fun AND productive undergrad experience (i have a girlfriend, i'd like that to continue :P) and be able to make it to the next level (grad school) at a powerhouse like MIT. But should I be worried about the experience if it maybe comes at the cost of receiving a better undergrad level of study? And will an engineering degree from Yale, ND, etc. look as good as MIT if i go to a high level grad school?</p>
<p>That being said, I feel that Princeton, Yale, Notre Dame all have great environments (especially ND) and respectable science programs. Yes I know stanford is rounded and better at science, but it seems too big for me unless someone can give me convincing info otherwise. so what do you guys think as far as which programs are more well suited for me? and I've attached my resume, so you can argue that I can't get in somewhere as a reason too!</p>
<p>If you didn’t yet, I’d try to visit some of the schools and get a sense of what campus life is really like. If you feel that Princeton, Yale and ND have the best environments for you, then go to one of those schools (assuming you get in) – if you do well at any one of the places mentioned, you will be just fine.</p>
<p>warblersrule: Sorry if i came off that way, yes the girlfriend thing was more of a joke I know women attend MIT too haha. But I was thinking more along the lines of Division I awesome sports programs and all that which ND seems to be the best environment for comparatively. MIT interests me a lot, that’s why I’m asking, but it would surely be a different experience? I just want to know if I’m going to miss out on THAT much by choosing a diff undergrad more for social reasons, or if it would be worth it to go for MIT or somewhere comparatively and focus more on academics. Thanks!</p>
<p>happy1: I’ve visited Notre Dame just because its close by, its expensive and tough for my family to travel, but I’ll visit all of the schools I get accpeted to before choosing, thanks!</p>
<p>Can you explain what your concerns are? the schools you’ve listed are all top schools, small/med private, similarly priced, competitive, well-respected/prestigious, have a social aspect, etc. …Yet you’re acting like there are some big differences.</p>
<p>where is your GF going? Sounds like you want to be near her??? or what?</p>
<p>There are a couple of things I’ve been told or run into a couple of times:
(1) If you plan to get a degree after undergrad, it’s way more important where you go for undergrad.
(2) For graduate school, it’s way more important how the university’s research fits with your interests and how they are rated in your specific field for research/grad school than an overall reputation.</p>
<p>What’s most important for choosing where to go for your bachelor’s is what feels like a good fit and where you think will give you opportunities to succeed and have great experiences like undergraduate research. Don’t feel like you have to go to MIT because it has its reputation or because of statistics. Graduate schools are more concerned with what you made of the school you went to than just the ranking attached to it. People get into top grad programs from all kinds of undergraduate institutions.</p>
<p>P.S. - From my experience as a college student in Boston, MIT has the reputation “Work hard, party hard.”</p>
<p>^^point one isn’t true, I think that was misspoken by accident. It is the grad school name that is more important.</p>
<p>Given that you are interested in the culture at other schools, and maybe a more well rounded student body, I think that it’s a good idea to apply to a variety. You can spend time learning about them, checking the individual forums here, and have some choices come spring. I do know one guy who said that he didn’t think MIT was great for an undergrad experience and would have picked elsewhere in hindsight, but that’s just one guy and that’s 15 years ago.</p>
<p>lol took the ACT again after a 35, why not take the SAT again? more room for improvement…or maybe you don’t want to look like at tool?</p>
<p>Yeah, sorry for the typo:
If you plan to get a degree after undergrad, it’s way more important where you go for GRADUATE SCHOOL.</p>
<p>Have you visited any of these schools yet? From my experience, a visit can make a HUGE difference in how you feel about a college and really help clarify what you’re looking for in a university in general.</p>