I have offered admission to Rice and Cornell for mechanical engineering grad program, both are non-theses, that is to say I would like to find a job after graduation instead focusing on research. I know Cornell has a better reputation worldwide, but Ithaca is a relatively small town so I am not confident about my employment after graduation. (Also I am told that the northeast doest have as many mechanical engineering jobs as Texas).
On the other side, Rice in Houston my provide a lot more chances considering Houston has a focus on engineering industry. Rice has a great reputaion in the South but I dont know its reputaion among the east coast/north/south coast people. Cause people from the Midwest area (where I am at) tend to believe Cornell is way better.
In short, two questions. 1. How is the ME employment in Rice/Cornell 2. How is the reputation of Rice in Northeast/westcoast/other areas?
Thanks so much！！！
I don’t know a lot about the grad program here but Rice’s undergrads majoring in mechanical engineering seem to get jobs all over the country. Houston is a significantly nicer city than Ithaca and Rice seems a lot more laid back and fun than Cornell. The reputations domestically are probably comparable, internationally Cornell has an edge. Employers know Rice and hold it in high regard nationwide which is what you should care about.
Bump, I would like to know as well. I believe that Cornell definitely has more name recognization across the board. However, I am interested in your nonthesis program, does that mean that it will be shorter than a thesis program?
From the mouth of my roommate, a Senior MechE undergrad:
“I knew a close friend who went through the mech grad program. Said it was bad, very bad. Mostly due to the advisors. The mech department itself is very small right now, so I’d do Cornell 100%”
For some background, this roommate has done well for himself as an undergrad, and will be working at a pretty cool Mechatronics firm next year.