UCSD vs. Drexel Engineering

Colleges and Universities A-Z Drexel University
1

<p>So I was accepted to both schools for their engineering programs-both as an honors student. I want to hear your honest opinions on which college you'd pick for your undergraduate years. Here are pros and cons from my perspectives.</p>

<p>UCSD PROS:
-Nanoengineering major. I heard here and there that UCSD is putting a lot of efforts to build NanoE program into one of the leading programs in the US. I am very curious how far this program can take me and think it is a good fit.
-Recognition. More recognized than Drexel. Everyone knows Univ.of California you know?
-West Coast. closer to my home and a charming weather.
-One of my ultimate goals of life is a professor+entrepreneur, and UCSD 's program sounds like a good bet-the road less traveled by.
-Research programs. Especially for biomedical-related, UCSD is up there with Johns Hopkins.
-Team intership.</p>

<p>UCSD CONS:
-No scholarship/financial aid. But I will do my best to earn it by sophomore year.
-A large state school. Although it does not have a wra wra atmosphere, it is still a state public school. I am giving a full trust on its Nano program because I don't want to be a number. No offense guys.
-No co-op. Yes there are several internship programs but they cannot be the same. I would probably have to wait until I graduate to get a sense of real world.
-Nanoengineering from what I think seems to be a lot of lab works than of entrepreneurship. My thought can be wrong though.
-Worse facilities and foods.</p>

<p>Drexel PROS:
-Engineering-Architectural Engineering-Bioengineering. I can change into any engineering major because none are impacted(unable to change into impacted majors).
-Accelerated program. I can get ph.d really fast if I want to. I do not know how reliable this program is though.
-Scholarships: $17000.
-Philadelphia. I love metropolitans and it is one of them. San Diego is one too but isolated.
-Transferring out. I like this program but if I feel like I need to move out, Drexel seems easier because of its location.
-CO-OP. I'd love to earn money during ug and help my parents feel a little relieved.
-Better facilities?
-Studying abroad programs.</p>

<p>Drexel CONS:
-Less recognition. You guys can call me an idiot but I think this matters in life. I am an international student not exactly planning on living my life in Philly.
-No NanoE. I can major in Engineering but there is nothing special in them. There are million architectural engineers out there but not many Nano engineers.
-Graduate school. I feel like Drexel is slightly less advantageous in regard of graduate school admission but I could be wrong. I am willing to hear anybody's opinions on this aspect.
-Selectivity. I saw a lot of Drexel kids who are very determined and geared for their future which is great. But I guess not everybody in Drexel has that attitude. UCSD NanoE seems a lot more selective than Drexel on this point.</p>

<p>Please do not hesitate to give me advices. I'd appreciate even if you verbally harass me for thinking so wrong if I really am.</p>

2

<p>UCSD hands down, particularly if you intend to pursue the PhD route later for academic career.</p>

3

<p>Thank you PCHope for sharing your thought.</p>

<p>Anyone else have ideas?</p>

4

<p>Hey,I would really like to know what you decided.I was actually in almost the same situation since I am a mechanical engineering major,and I was admitted to UCSD as well as Drexel with a dean’s scholarship (16k) .
I have decided to go with Drexel,although I plan to do an MBA after I graduate,not a PhD though.
Just wanted to know what you decided!</p>

5

<p>Hello, I’m having difficulties making exactly the same decision! Please let me know what you ended up choosing, I’m very interested and also pursuing engineering as my major.</p>

6

<p>Keep in mind that it is a good idea to keep your Bachelors degree more general if you want quick employment out of college.</p>

<p>Nanoengineering is a special kind of engineering, so what you could do is get a regular Bachelors degree (in electrical or architectural or whatever) and then go into Nanoengineering as your Masters or PhD.</p>

<p>This is only relevant if you’re worried about a job right after college, if you plan to do Graduate School from the beginning, then it doesn’t matter as much. But remember, just because you’re going to Drexel doesn’t mean you won’t get to do Nanoengineering. Life doesn’t end at the conclusion of a Bachelors degree, and most of the really high-end students go to a different school for Graduate studies.</p>