I know there are plenty of threads about electrical engineering between UCLA, UCSD, and UCB, but all the recent threads I found tend to be old around 2005-2010, and I want the most current info, since this is 2015. I have done a lot of research and I have found that:
UCB EECS - ~9% acceptance rate 2014
UCLA EE - ~25% acceptance rate 2014
UCSD ECE - I can’t even find it
I understand UCB EECS is very competitive for admissions, but can someone explain why UCLA EE has a significantly higher acceptance rate? Also, do EE majors tend to do well in the job market after they obtain their undergrad degree, assuming a good gpa with qualifying skills? I know computer science is in the most demand right now, but how difficult is it to find a job with an EE degree?
Any opinions on one of the colleges is greatly appreciated.
I have an EE degree and so is my husband who has a PhD in EE. I think I prefer EECS better than pure EE. Not sure I can answer the rest about admission acceptance rate.
Problem is not all colleges offer EECS @DrGoogle , but EE can’t be completely screwed in the job market after graduation, can they? Once again, assuming high gpa and qualifying skills. Just share your opinion if you have any, that would be much appreciated.
It depends on your definition of completely screwed. There is a reason why the EE rate at UCLA is high, it is high for a reason such as not many students apply to that major. You don’t think my husband has a high qualifying skills as a PhD? There is less demand and job opportunities. But it doesn’t matter, it’s harder to find job as an EE than EECS. None of these fields guarantees a job forever, it’s when you get laid off and then you’ll find out. I even know one person graduated from UCLA with an EE and he has been unemployed for nearly 10 years after a failed startup. He lost the inertia of finding a job and gave up totally. He is now serving the soup kitchen and lives with mom.
Right thanks for your input @DrGoogle .
I was considering switching to a CS major just because of the job opportunities, but then I really don’t know what to do yet. Obviously I’ll choose a major that I would enjoy, because i’m EE right now. EECS isn’t an option given to me at my school, so of course it’d be harder to find a job. I don’t really have any questions anymore, and thanks for sharing me your story.
So that is not clear, are you a senior in high school trying to decide which college to apply or are you already in college and if yes, which one. You can try to take more CS classes. Of course I know I also enjoyed EE and that was 35 years ago but I only rarely used my EE courses, mostly my computer and computer engineering courses. It’s hard truth but back then EE was a hot major, almost everybody looked down on CS majors. Good luck with your major.
Note that most UCB EECS majors emphasize CS, based on EE versus CS course enrollments (even though CS courses also include L&S CS majors).
So UCLA EE may not be that popular a major since it is not associated with CS, resulting in fewer applications relative to the number of admission places, resulting in a higher admission rate.