It’s almost May 1st and I would imagine that most of you have decided on which school to attend. I’m guessing that some of you had tough decisions to make and eventually turn down other great schools. My daughter is now leaning University of Delaware for Chem E over UIUC Chem E but still wrestling if we are turning down a great opportunity.
The deciding factor is financial ($50k over 4 years). However, what is still pulling us towards UIUC is “overall program and school” AND school vibe/diversity (both of these are on the “cons” side for Delaware from our perspective)
@anjony: It is a difficult choice and hard with the time pressure I’m sure. My D will be a freshman in the fall at Illinois in the engineering school (but not chem e). Did you attend an Admitted Students Day? That visit cemented my d’s decision. We are from out of state and the factors you mentioned, “program and school vibe/diversity” are definitely pluses for Illinois in our eyes. Obviously, the locations of the two schools are very different. We’ve been to Illinois 3 times over the last 2 years and Delaware was not a school my daughter applied to. Besides the cost and strength of Delaware’s Chem E program, what are the other positive factors for Delaware?
@mybstnw Yes, we were there Admitted Students day, beautiful campus and student body and Midwesterners in general just seem very nice.
The additional positives for Delaware on top of lower cost and strength of ChemE program is 1) location (2 hour drive, daughter uncomfortable with distance of UIUC) and 2) the Honors Program
With regards to UIUC, I can make the financial issue work, however, my daughter was uncomfortable about the Chem E program because she felt it is not really part of the College of Engineering (its in LAS). All other engineering disciplines under COE had their own buildings (and looks state of the art) while ChemE showed us old run down builidngs. Now it could all be perception but that is how she felt.
Just something in my gut that is hard to turn down UIUC but it will be my daughters final decision, not mine. I could only lay down the facts and my support.
Well both are great schools! Delaware is ranked better than UIUC for ChemE.
Delaware has an excellent chemE program so it would be great for her!
Yeah ChemE is in LAS and not COE as they consider chemE to be a specialization of Chemistry.
And you dont get an engineering degree on graduating.
A few other things to consider: There’s a solid Society of Women Engineering group that is available with programming and a great community. And engineering and STEM definitely has a presence on this campus. There is also an amazing amount of school spirit and the BIG 10 sports offerings is exciting (even though my d is “not yet” an avid sports fan but I think she will be once she gets to school).