<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>I'm a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering at UIUC and got an admission from Cornell Engineering.
I have to give my answer until June 1st and I'm still not sure which would be a better choice.</p>
<p>I guess I am doing quite well here; I'm getting like 3.97 gpa and have a research position at a lab.
I'm quite confident that I can keep up my work as well as I've been doing so far.
The reason I decided to give Cornell a try was that I was not really content with the ultra-population here and the lack of passion for the academia which sometimes was found not only from the students, but also from the professors.</p>
<p>Now that I've got the admission, however, I'm not really sure if I really should transfer or stay here. =(
As an international student, my chance of getting into the top graduate schools is not that great, I'd like to choose the one where I can have a better chance.
They're almost on the same tier when it comes to mechanical engineering, and I would say Cornell has a better reputation overall.</p>
<p>The merit of staying here is my good gpa, guaranteed research opportunity and cheaper tuition compared to Cornell. (can save up to $13,000/yr AT LEAST)
Cornell, on the other hand, has a better reputation as an IVY school, which would help me out more than UIUC would if I choose not to go to the graduate school, and reportedly more passionate pursuit of academia.</p>
<p>Of course, the decision is totally up to me, but Id like to have some advices on this issue and would really welcome and appreciate you guys opinions.
If you were in my shoe, where would you go and why? And which would give me a slightly better chance of getting into a great graduate school?</p>
<p>So you’d be saving roughly $26,000 by staying at Illinois. UIUC is a world class engineering school. From there, so long as you have good stats, you can go wherever you want for grad school. If Cornell was offering a full-ride I would say go. Just my opinion though.</p>
<p>My opinion is biased but I would say go to Cornell! Even though they have compatible Mechanical Engineering programs, Cornell’s name is worth more. You might have a lower gpa at Cornell, but graduate schools do consider which school the gpa is from. If money is an issue then stay where you are without any doubt.
Either way you cannot go wrong! I would go to Cornell! Btw congrats on being accepted-it is a big deal to be accepted into the Cornell engineering school :)</p>
<p>@contramundum09
Thank you for your opinion! I’m not getting any kinds of financial aids from Cornell unfortunately… I didn’t know that I could try whichever grad school I want, though…</p>
<p>@madirocks
Thank you! I didn’t expect that I would be accepted. =)
I was also concerned with Cornell’s reputation, but wasn’t really sure if I would be able to do well there.
Since both schools have compatible mech programs, I thought the grad schools would consider the stats from both schools on the same basis…
If this is not the case, struggling at Conell for two years might not turn out as bad as I thought!</p>
<p>If you’re certain about proceeding on to grad school, I don’t see much point in spending that extra money to attend Cornell. With your GPA and promising research experience at UIUC, your chance of being admitted by the top grad school will probably not increase by attending Cornell. And it is the grad school that will be looked on more heavily.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you’re uncertain about going to grad school, Cornell would be better in my opinion. You would get a comparable engineering degree as well as the IVY status. For me, that extra reputation is worth the money. Again, this is if you’re not certain about grad school and can spare that extra bucks.
I personally chose Cornell engineering over Berkeley and UIUC from that very reason.</p>
<p>cornell, hands down. don’t even think twice. you’re one of the few that make up the COE’s 6% transfer acceptance rate. they think you can do it, and i bet you can, too. come to cornell :)</p>
<p>hmm is it really hard for internationals to get into grad school?</p>
<p>don’t listen people who tell you to stay in UIUC… you got into an IVY! </p>
<p>of course it is going to be hard… maybe cornell is not for you at all. but the most important things are the education you will get and the potential success that the name of Cornell can get you…not the size, the weather or the frat parties</p>