<p>I've been accepted to UCLA and Tufts for engineering (civil engineering but may switch to a different major within engineering), and even though they are very different schools, I'm having a tough time deciding between the two. The main factors I care about are: prestige, engineering job placement, and social life. Money is not an issue. I live in MA so Tufts would be closer, but I'm leaning towards UCLA since it has a better ranked engineering program (I don't even think tufts is in the top 50 undergrad for engineering).</p>
<p>I'd love some insight, thanks for the help in advance!</p>
<p>They are VERY different. UCLA is huge. Tufts is small. Medford has seasons. LA doesn’t. LA is a sprawling mega city. Medford is quaint and offers easy access to Boston, a small, big city. It’s possible that UCLA has departments bigger than Tufts whole college of engineering.</p>
<p>Now NONE of that is meant to suggest that one would be better than another. They will be very different. </p>
<p>Tufts, although less “prestigious” has an rising program, a great school spirit and it will be much more likely that you’ll be taught by faculty rather than grad students.</p>
<p>UCLA will have far more “toys” and cutting edge research going on. Plus, can you say beach party!</p>
<p>Either way, you’ll be fine. Think about where you’d be happiest and don’t worry too much about rankings. Look at who recruits at both schools and look at how their curriculum paths differ.</p>
<p>^I didn’t say that but rather to focus on that aspect instead of prestige. To be honest with you, I worked at both coasts and UCLA prestige does not surpass Tufts engineering.
But if you like the beach weather then UCLA is the right choice. Let’s put it this way, I have relatives graduated from UCLA engineering school and has been unemployed for years, the prestige of UCLA engineering didn’t help him.</p>
<p>Where do u want to establish yourself after graduation? I’d go with Tufts over UCLA. More personal. Students considered more “intellectual” perhaps than UCLA’s. Prestige neck-and-neck, so really, let that go.</p>
<p>Since Mat 1st is approaching quickly, I need to make my decision. I was leaning towards UCLA but now I feel like tufts will be equally as good for opportunities in the northeast. Anymore opinions? </p>
<p>Ok I lived in LA for over 10 years. If it’s beach weather you are looking for LA is terible. First year there i went to the beach thinking it was gonna be just like Baywatch. Let me tell you. The water is cold as hell, dirty, the beaches are dirty, the sand is coarse. If you want halfway descent beaches you have to drive about 2 hours south to Orange County or 2 hrs north past Malibu.</p>
<p>I agree… for Northeast jobs, Tufts may be better. </p>
<p>Keep in Attending a school 3000 miles away will increase your travel expenses. When DS was looking, I considered it a trade-off for the experience of living in a new area. But budget-wise it is a factor. </p>
<p>They are both good options. Do you parents have a preference? </p>
<p>What the rational behind paying 23K/semester at Tufts? The cost is absolutely ridiculous, especially for a school that is not even known for Engineering. Are they going to give you a lot of aid? </p>
<p>You could go to UMass and pay something like 13K/year.</p>