<p>I'm studying to be an engineer but doing my gen eds at Joliet Junior College. Im really torn between UIC and U of I right now.</p>
<p>U of I has a top ranked engineering program.</p>
<p>I want to live on campus but Im much more of a city person. The idea of just going to some college town and having a generic college experience (even if it is at UIUC engie) is somewhat repulsive to me but the idea of going to the city, being around more "cultured" and diverse people, and having all that to do up there is much more appealing.</p>
<p>But UIC is considering a commuter school right? I still want to live on campus but since its more costly to live in the city, I might be paying the same amount as U of I and going to school with people who dont live up there. </p>
<p>To continue, I want to get out of this state after college.
But I also am planning on going straight for a masters. So gen eds at JJC, undergrad at UIC, and grad at U of I seems feasible.</p>
<p>Any advice? Im currently looking at computer engineering specifically. Id like to work in Silicon Valley or the Pacific Northwest.</p>
<p>I’m a computer engineering student at UIUC. I think you should come here. It’s only a few years of your life, even if you don’t like the city I’m sure you will find ways to enjoy yourself.</p>
<p>Mostly I think you should come here because you want to leave Illinois after college. Going to a world class institution makes that much easier. The ECE department here regularly brings alumni back for guest lectures and events. They are leaders of some of the best computer and electronics companies in the U.S. Almost everyone I know that graduated from CS or ECE is now on the west coast. </p>
<p>If you want to go to graduate school here, remember that you are competing for a limited number of positions. The other applicants come from top research institutions such as CMU, Berkeley, MIT, and Stanford. UIUC students also end up at those places for grad school. It is much harder to work your way up to that level. Also, UIUC has many more opportunities for undergraduate research, which is essential for graduate school admissions.</p>
<p>It is more difficult to immerse yourself in your studies at a commuter school. Everyone has a different schedule and many people are juggling work and school. It is much harder to complete group projects and participate in study groups at a commuter school.</p>
<p>ps: I am also a transfer student. Transfer as soon as you can, don’t finish all your geneds. If you do you’ll be stuck with a very difficult course load your first semester. You don’t want to take 3-4 ECE classes your first semester.</p>
<p>UIC Engineering doesn’t come close to comapring with the quality at UIUC. If you long for a city environment, then UIC is the winner. But if you want to graduate from one of the best programs in the world, it’s UIUC hands down.</p>