<p>if you think for a second that anyone is more impressed with a tech degree (save tech graduates) than a virginia degree, you obviously have no idea what you're talking about. we're not talking about football, jeesh.
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<p>Pernicious nonsense. Virginia is a great school, but in terms of engineering, Tech is better. Harvard may confer certain advantages to its engineering graduates by virtue of its name, but there's no denying that Cal Tech is the better school for engineering. That's the situation we seem to have here--prestige Vs reality. Sheesh.</p>
<p>if tech is such a better engineering school - why do employers pay virginia engineers significantly more than tech engineers.</p>
<p>and comparing the difference between harvard and caltech to virginia and virginia tech is a little ridiculous. after all, the overall gap between virginia and tech is much bigger than the overall gap between harvard and caltech ;-).</p>
<p>I find it hard to believe that U.VA engineers make significantly much more than Vtech engineers. If this is the case, and this is pay that is in accordance with the quality of engineering skill both schools bestow upon their students, then Vtech's reputation as an engineering school should be squarely below U.VA's. If on the other hand this is pay that is in accordance with the name of the schools-- then, quite frankly, it is negligible, and the student more interested in simply the education itself would best to stick with the school that offers more. This isn't to knock U.VA. In fact, I want to attend its business school. But please don't boast foolishly about what clearly isn't the school's greatest strength while putting down another school that shine's in that very same department.</p>
<p>I guess one should demonstrate pride in one's school, but you people are irrationally argumentative and not even aware of your own circular arguments: It's better because it's UVA. It's UVA, and therefore better. Repeat. </p>
<p>Actually it's better because apparently UVA grads are paid more- that was already expressed multiple times, as well as other factors that were mentioned like the overall opportunities you have in a school like UVA versus a one dimensional school like VTech. There's a clear discrepancy between the quality of students at both schools, and Tech's ranking thrives because of its size. That helps it in recognition for the rankings- there is probably no doubt that Tech produces a lot more research due to its size. The Harvard Engineering website sums it up well.</p>
<p>"How do Harvard's undergraduate programs in engineering rank nationally? Should I care about rankings?
This too is a complicated question. In general, rankings (and how best to use them) is an open (and often controversial) issue. The following might help put things in perspective.</p>
<p>"Harvard College has consistently ranked number 1 (Top National Universities) in U.S. News and World Report's America's Best Colleges. In the Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs category Harvard, however, is tied for 31st. Why the large discrepancy?</p>
<p>First, a bit about methodology. While the Top National University ranking is based upon numerous criteria (from selectivity to graduation rate), the program rankings for engineering are "are based solely on the judgments of deans and senior faculty who rated each program they are familiar with on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (distinguished)." Meaning, they are not commensurate rankings.</p>
<p>Further, unlike some programs in engineering and applied sciences, Harvard undergraduates who pursue the field are not enrolled in a separate school or college. Keep in mind that all undergraduates at Harvard are part of the College. Studying engineering (or any area for that matter) is only one one aspect of a student's experience; because engineering and applied sciences is so interdisciplinary, concentrators interact with students and faculty from other fields and take courses from a wide-range of departments. Meaning, any ranking (even that number 1) cannot accurately reflect the complexity of day-to-day experiences.</p>
<p>Also consider that like all Harvard graduates, those with degrees in engineering and applied sciences attend some of the world's top graduate programs (from medicine to business to engineering) and are sought by some of the nation's leading firms.</p>
<p>While some may aspire to attend a university or a program because of its ranking, most do so because it is their number one choice. The number one reason to attend Harvard and the number one reason to pursue engineering there is because you want to. "</p>
<p>Whoa, this thread definently went a whole new direction! Here's the thing about VT's engineering: yes, it is overall better because VT focuses on Engineering more than UVA, simply because VT's spectrum of possible degrees/majors and schools is much smaller than UVA. UVAs resources are spread amongst more departments, whereas at VT, more money/resources/faculty can be focused on engineering. Don't get me wrong, engineering here is top of the line. but thats the problem, theres nothing else. You major in engineering, and if you want a minor, its going to be a science 90% of the time. UVA has a broader spectrum of classes to take, and therefor, allows engineers to venture outside of engineering. This creates well-rounded educated engineers, and thats why they recieve larger salaries and are deemed "more intelligent". Sure, VT grads may have the same classes, the same grades, ect, but in the end, a UVA E-school grad will most likely have a broader education. To me, thats worth more than a superb engineering program. Its hard to say that UVA's engineering program is better or worse than VT's because they're two very different schools. For someone like me, wanting a liberal arts and theoretical background to engineering, UVA fits me well. However, for someone who lacks liberal arts strength and wants a pure, engineering education, VT is the place. Thats my reason for wanting to transfer.</p>