UChicago versus Ivy Engineering

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Now that the acceptances have rolled in, it is time for the which college should I go to threads to appear by the masses. When I was first introduced to CollegeConfidential last year, these were the type of threads I spent the majority of my time reading. It is now time for people to comment on my own scenario. So here's my results. </p>

<p>Pitt - full tuition and invitation for interview for chancellors scholarship
Rice - half tuition plus century scholars which equates to a half ride
UChicago
Cornell Engineering
Columbia Engineering</p>

<p>Now I've got the groucho marx "I don't want to be a member of any club that would have me for a member" syndrome. </p>

<p>I am 99.9999% confident I will not go to Pitt, because I've spent 4 years being at the top of my public school, and I do not want to spend another 4 years trying to be at the top. I want an atmosphere of a private school. I don't believe I'll even go back for the interview. </p>

<p>I visited Rice in March. There was a nice little atmosphere it offered. I sat on classes and felt I could easily excel here. I did see some nice intellectual discussion, but the visit left something to be desired. When I was there, I felt as if I didn't want to be there. While the smart choice would be to take the money and run, my gut tells me that this is not really the place for me. I am unsure if I'll go to Owl Weekend, (even though I have a free flight) due to lack of interest, and not conflicts with other schools' visitation days. I think the atmosphere might not be intense enough for my liking. </p>

<p>However, finances are not an issue.</p>

<p>So that leaves me with Cornell vs. UChicago vs. Columbia. The problem is I am too open minded to confine myself to a particular program that I want to study. I feel as if I want to learn as much as I can. With that being said, I know I have more talent in the Mathematics and the Sciences than the pure humanities. For this reason I applied for Engineering at the Ivy schools. </p>

<p>So now I have to choose between my "C" schools. All of which have intense programs with driven individuals. My future plans range from anything from I-banking to Academia, from Consulting to Grad School. I think I might want to collect Graduate Degrees, be that old guy who has 3 PhDs in unrelated fields. </p>

<p>Worries:</p>

<p>UChicago - Going to Chicago will cause me to miss out on engineering courses that I think I would like to take. There is not introduction to Electrical Engineering at Chicago.</p>

<p>Cornell - Cornell is in the middle of nowhere. One of my concerns with Rice was that it was too isolated from the city of Houston, with little availability to get transportation out to downtown. I also wonder how much of a "state school" feel is at Cornell given its size and public funding. I also hear you are dinged with extra costs here and there. I have also yet to visit this school, and then there is the suicide stuff...</p>

<p>Columbia - I'm not sure I want to be in NYC all my life, because if I go there, I'll end up getting a job in NYC, and living in NYC, and dying in NYC. I am also worried about my lack of social consciousness, and how that fits into the overall mission of the school.</p>

<p>Positives:</p>

<p>UChicago - I dig the whole contrarian philosophy. I love mathematics and its economic implications. I buy into the Milton Friedman and the Chicago school of Economics. I want to meet the kind of quirky people who could only fit in a place like Chicago, and the kind of people who just want to push themselves to their limits to arguably the most prestigious undergraduate degree in the country. </p>

<p>Cornell - I know a few people here who are just having a blast. I dig the fraternity scene. I hear great things about the engineering program, and sciences as a whole. </p>

<p>Columbia - I know, if I want, I can get a job easier here than anywhere else. It is closest to home, and has the best public transportation system in the world. When I was last on campus I felt as if I could definitely see myself here. </p>

<p>Any thoughts?</p>

2

<p>I think you should go to Columbia. I'm very biased but you said it yourself, you could definitely see yourself there. In addition there is no reason why going to Columbia means you have to spend your whole life in NY. You can go anywhere you want with a Columbia degree. </p>

<p>One last thing, I saw people talking about how UChicago is planning on introducing engineering in the near future.</p>

3

<p>I saw that too, but it is only Biomedical or something of that nature, which I have little to no interest.</p>

4

<p>I too am decing between Cornell and Chicago. I think chicago definately offers a more valuable education. Even without engineering, the math courses should be stimulating enoough for any serious student. Plus, I don't think the Fu Foundation at Coulmbia is super-well known. I know Columbia College is, but I'm not sure about the Engineering School. Good luck with your choice!</p>

5

<p>I'd go to Columbia too. It's the bet school and will leave the most options open.</p>

6

<p>Mike, I guess you are asking the questions now instead of the other way around ;)</p>

<p>Ok, visit Cornell and Chicago before making a decision. I have talked to several people who decided not to go to Chicago after visiting. Also, Cornell may be too middle of nowhere for you. The campus is beautiful, but it's far from urban like Columbia and Chicago are. </p>

<p>Cornell has the most offerings with its different undergraduate schools, offering business, hotel, agriculture, and ILR unlike Chicago and Columbia.</p>

<p>Chicago is one of the most rigorous colleges and if you double major in math and economics, you will be in a great position for grad school and employment. Tucker Max even said that an econ degree from Chicago is one of the most valuable ones you can get (or something like that). </p>

<p>Columbia is a great school too, and it's main selling point is the core. Unlike Chicago and Cornell, all undergrads at Columbia take the same (~8) classes to fulfill their core requirements. Some people like this because it helps them feel connected to their classmates because everyone takes about the same classes the first two years.</p>

7

<p>I'd go with Chicago...that's an undergraduate education that will help you excell in ANYTHING later.</p>

8

<p>"I don't think the Fu Foundation at Coulmbia is super-well known."</p>

<p>If you graduate from Fu you get a degree from Columbia University. If you graduate from Columbia College you get a degree from Columbia University. If you graduate from Barnard you get a degree from Columbia University. Frankly, I don't see the big deal about name recognition. No matter what you are a graduate of Columbia.</p>

9

<p>I agree with TerrarumOrbis.</p>

<p>Chicago doesn't just help you excel in a career, but in life. I absolutely love the school, but perhaps that's because I'm a Chicago-native :)</p>

10

<p>Cornell is probably best if you feel you need a wide academic exposure, as it's the most academically versatile, undergrad wise. I really don't think you should go to a school where they don't offer one of your biggest interests. The suicide thing at Cornell is a myth, and the extra cost thing seems a bit shaky too; besides, it probably doesn't carry as much cost as living in big cities, and you said finances isn't a problem. Size shouldn't deter you either. Overall, Cornell is of similiar size to Columbia and Chicago, except those two have undergrads outnumbered 1 to 2 or 1 to 3 by grad students, whereas Cornell's undergrads are twice the number of grads. (and public funding is a bad thing?) Besides, Cornell's ugrad body size ensures you'll meet a large variety of people, including the quirky, Chicago-kind.</p>

11

<p>Look at Princeton engineering too! I would say Cornell and Princeton top the Ivies in engineering.</p>

12

<p>Nice sell on Cornell Ray.</p>

<p>Tokyo, I looked at princeton engineering, and I got waitlisted. :(</p>