<p>So, which among Tufts and Florida Tech. is better for electrical engineering. Florida Tech. is a tech only school and it specializes in engineering. But Tufts has a far superior national reputation and its engineering school may even be better than that of Florida Tech. Which one will open more job opportunites right after undergrad?</p>
<p>Though I can’t speak specifically on the engineering at Florida Tech I know that the engineering department at Tufts is quite strong. However, you could definitely benefit from the vast amount of resources at tufts those within the engineering department and outside of it. Finally, the fact that tufts national reputation is much stronger would probably be more helpful when looking for job placement especially since its considered an overall ‘good’ department, they are also known for having a lot of recruiting from major firms from all industries which could be very helpful.</p>
<p>Also just a tip, unless you are looking for a purely tech environment I think that going to a university could be a better experience socially and maybe help you broaden your horizons i.e. by taking an IR or econ class or something as well as being surrounded by people of many interests.</p>
<p>^ Thanks for the post.</p>
<p>Anyone agrees/disagrees with post #2?</p>
<p>Unless Florida Tech (which I am not familiar with) is offering you a full ride scholarship, you would be much better off with Tufts. The name will open many more doors in the future and you will be able to enjoy a variety of classes and activities that only a university can provide. I would always favor a university over a tech school. You always have to remember that you may change your major as you become exposed to other subjects. You can’t do that at a tech school. Tufts is one of the best schools in the country.</p>
<p>^Thanks for the post. Technically, I have less than half a full ride at Florida Tech. but about 80% of a full ride at Tufts. That means I ought to go to Tufts, right? I am an international, my knowledge of the relative reputation/prestige of different american colleges being thus limited.</p>
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<p>Without a doubt. And with it being less expensive for you than Florida Tech, this would be an easy decision for most Americans.</p>
<p>Tufts! And dlambi makes an inarguable point about a richer, broader experience, academically and, likely, socially, at Tufts, over a tech school.</p>
<p>Tufts does seem to be far better than florida tech. but I am heavy into tech. and engineering and Tufts is an LAC type of school. Should that impact my decision?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t let it be a factor. Tufts is universally good, and its reputation is much much stronger. Its going to mean much more to be a Tufts grad, not to mention the overall superior experience.</p>
<p>The opinions seem to be unanimous in favor of Tufts. Would anyone care to advise me whether I should choose WPI over Tufts because attending WPI would cost only about USD 3000 more?</p>
<p>“Technically, I have less than half a full ride at Florida Tech. but about 80% of a full ride at Tufts. That means I ought to go to Tufts, right? I am an international, my knowledge of the relative reputation/prestige of different american colleges being thus limited.”</p>
<p>“Would anyone care to advise me whether I should choose WPI over Tufts because attending WPI would cost only about USD 3000 more?”</p>
<p>1) Only you and your family know what the difference in cost really means. Run your numbers through this calculator and talk the results through with them. [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Award Letter Requirements - Finaid) Just ignore the items that aren’t pertinent to an international student.</p>
<p>2) What people in the US think about these programs doesn’t matter to you. What matters is what people in your home country think about them. When you finish your degree and the practical training period allowed for with your student visa, if you haven’t located an employer who can get you an H-1B (work) visa, you will have to go home. You need a degree that will get you a job in your home country, or in another one. Do not count on staying here.</p>
<p>3) Provided the engineering degree programs are accredited by [ABET</a> | Accrediting College Programs in Applied Science, Computing, Engineering and Technology](<a href=“http://www.abet.org/]ABET”>http://www.abet.org/) they are very much the same throughout the US. Where there would be some difference would be in the career placement office. It is perfectly OK for you to contact the career center on each campus and ask about job and internship placement for international students from your country.</p>
<p>@happymomof1: Returning to my home country is not an option at all because the branch of engineering that I wish to pursue has no scope whatsoever in my country. I MUST find an employer by the end of the optional practice training. Would WPI be better for job placements than Tufts?</p>
<p>“Returning to my home country is not an option at all because the branch of engineering that I wish to pursue has no scope whatsoever in my country.”</p>
<p>The you should not be studying that major and/or you should not be studying it in the US. There is absolutely no guarantee whatsoever that you will be able to find an H-1B sponsor here. I teach English as a Second Language to adults. Right now I have a student who has a Ph.D. in a biomedical field, multiple years of teaching and research experience in his home country, multiple years of research in the US, patents in his field, etc., etc. He has a company that wants to hire him so that he can continue to work here after his current (J-1) status expires. Even though that company is ready, willing, and able to spend a lot of money for an immigration lawyer, my student does not know whether or not this process will succeed. My student and his company’s lawyers are your competition for getting a job in the US - not other EE graduates. Only a certain number of H-1B visas are issued each year. </p>
<p>In the past, Canada and Australia have been much more generous than the US in awarding work permits to recent university graduates. My personal recommendation would be that you consider pursuing your university studies, and looking for career placement, in one of those countries.</p>
<p>If you feel that you can only pursue your goals by studying at Tufts, FL Tech, or WPI, you should contact the career center at each of those places and ask VERY SPECIFICALLY about long-term career placement for their international graduates. Don’t just ask about OPT placement, ask how many of those students found H-1B sponsors, and find out how hard the career center will work to help you find one.</p>
<p>^ I reason that because engineering student population in the U.S. is generally not increasing as rapidly as it should, international students will have a relatively easy time finding H1 visa with an engineering degree. Things are different for an international with a major like history, or arts. I am taking the risk by assuming that I will find a work permit in the U.S. Else, Germany is always there. The point is, I cannot and will not return home to find jobs.</p>
<p>Sherlock1888 -</p>
<p>I really do wish you all the best. While you are absolutely correct that in an STEM field the situation is better, in my observation there are many, many more students who don’t get that coveted H-1B than do. If you cannot return home (and some students can’t) then do your very best to have more options (like Germany) in mind.</p>
<p>Good luck with everything!</p>
<p>happymomof1: Do you know whether the F-1 visa can be extended if right after undergrad (or a year or 2 after completing undergrad) I am admitted to a graduate school? And what is the thing with optional practice training? Is that a time when internationals can look for paid internships?</p>
<p>I am not really clear on the OPT rules, other than that you can be paid for work during that time. You need to get in touch with b@r!um who is the resident expert about that. She usually posts in the International Student Forum. Here is a link to information about OPT from one university website: [F-1</a> Optional Practical Training (OPT) | International Student and Scholar Services](<a href=“http://www.upenn.edu/oip/isss/opt]F-1”>F-1 OPT | ISSS)</p>
<p>If you go to grad school right after completing your undergrad degree, or after finishing up your OPT, that is OK. That graduate school will issue you a new I-20 for the student visa.</p>
<p>^ Hey, do you know how generous grad schools are with finaid? Are they as generous as undergrad or less? Is it true that grad schools are even more expensive than undergrad schools?</p>