UIUC vs Cornell vs GeorgiaTech vs UCSD

College Search & Selection
1

<p>My cousin has received admissions in undergrad Electrical & Comp Engineering from:
- U of Illinois Urbana-Champagne
- Cornell
- GeorgiaTech
- U of California San Diego</p>

<p>Now knowing him:
1. he's not fully sure if ECE is what he'd like to do. As such he may switch to other branches in science or engineering.
2. out of state for all 4 schools.
3. has an interest in research and academia, although not fully commited on this.
4. would prefer an proactive and outgoing student body/campus culture.</p>

<p>Given this, what other factors could he use to make an informed decision?</p>

2

<p>Cornell and UIUC would be my top two choices, with the edge going to Cornell. I think Cornell allows changing concentrations with great ease. However, Cornell is a good $10k/year more expensive than UIUC, so if money is tight, that may swing things in favor of UIUC.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for replying, Alexandre. Do you have a particular preference for Cornell apart from the ease of switching majors?</p>

4

<p>Yeah, I went to Cornell for graduate school! :wink: </p>

<p>Seriously, I prefer the campus atmosphere at Cornell.</p>

5

<p>I’d say GTech, and then maybe UIUC.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>It’s understandable if he wants to switch engineering majors. In that case, all of Georgia Tech’s engineering are in the top 10, so he has many options, which cannot be said of the rest of the universities. UIUC comes close, Cornell is pretty good, and UCSD not so much.</p></li>
<li><p>UIUC is the cheapest, with GTech at a close second. UCSD is around $6,000 more for tuition per year than GTech, at $35,000, and Cornell is the most expensive, at $43,000 per year for tuition.</p></li>
<li><p>UIUC has the largest research expenditure for engineering, at $236,000,000. GTech is a close second, with $225,000,000. UCSD spends $164,000,000, and Cornell spends the least, at $132,000,000.</p></li>
<li><p>I can’t speak much on this, all I know are the locations for each of these places.
GTech (Atlanta) - Vibrant city with numerous Fortune 500 companies and a great party scene if you’re willing to look for it. Academics are hard, but you need time management skills.
Don’t know about UIUC.
Cornell has its own inner city feel to it, so don’t be too afraid that it’s completely cut off from everywhere else.
Don’t know about San Diego.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Other factors he could consider are starting salaries, Coop and internship opportunities, things like that.</p>

6

<p>Go you with Cornell no question. If you can’t afford, go with Georgia Tech.</p>

7

<p>Very interesting responses, FM and XP. Thanks.</p>

8

<p>Cornell affords more flexibility if he changes interests, particularly to non STEM fields.</p>

9

<p>Good point PCHope, but he’s almost sure about STEM fields.</p>

10

<p>Net price and student loans needed at each school?</p>