<p>Right now I'm trying to narrow down where I'm going to apply to and which schools will have priority. I was wondering about the differences between universities that places emphasis on technology and science (Georgia Tech, CMU, Rose-hulman) vs a normal university (UT, Cal, U Washington). What are the pros and cons between the two? Is my distinction misplaced?</p>
<p>Depending on your major, the answer to the question as to whether or not your education will be fundamentally different at either one depends on what you want from college. For example, the list of premier science universities is a varied list. If you’re a STEM major I don’t think that in the main, you will find much difference in offerings among Michigan, U Illinois, MIT, U California Berkeley, U Washington, Cornell, Georgia Tech or Stanford.</p>
<p>Tech schools (like my university, Illinois Institute of Technology) generally have a primary focus on engineering and science. If they are smaller schools, they may not have too many options for majors in the humanities, social sciences, or arts. Large universities with engineering colleges will generally have a very similar curriculum for engineering and science students but they also have the other majors. Examples of these might be Northwestern (private) or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (public).</p>
<p>Your curriculum for an engineering major may not be too different between these types of schools but the overall student body is probably very different because in the big schools, engineers are a minority while they tend to be a majority in the small tech schools.</p>
<p>IMO, you can get a great education at either type of school – the decision is more about fit. Do you like to be surrounded by a lot of different types of people and do you want a wide range of options in the humanities or are you most comfortable with people in STEM majors and are those classes your only major interest? Two reasonable people can answer that differently. I suggest that you try to visit one or two schools in each category, ask questions, talk to students, and see which environment you feel most comfortable. You can also apply to some different types of schools, see where you get in, and then decide.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! Another question, would you say there is more opportunities within the university for a tech school? Also, is there a preference among employers for a traditional university vs tech school?</p>
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<p>I completely agree with this.</p>