So, I’m an international applicant and these are my two top choices at the moment. I aspire to get into the automotive industry and can’t decide which one to go to. Being an Indian, weather is kind of a big factor for me as I’m not sure whether I’ll be able to handle the freakishly cold months at UIUC. But I don’t believe that the better weather can make up for the slightly inferior course at UCLA (Rankings wise of course). But then, can the rankings be trusted? Is the course at UCLA really inferior?
UCLA, as a university on the whole, seems to be more prestigious but UIUC has the upper hand when it comes to engineering. UIUC is slightly cheaper as well.
California is obviously a better place to live, but my priority is getting myself the best education. So should I let the weather sway me and go to UCLA or should I grow a pair and head to UIUC?
Let’s put to death your first misconception, that US News rankings tell you anything about the content of the actual classes you will take, the ability of your instructors, or differences in what you will learn. Those are not even factors weighed in the US News ranking system. Also, that one college is ranked 6th in engineering and another 18th simply means that some professors and deans among thousands throughout the country voted a little higher on 1-5 scale for UIUC engineering rather than UCLA. In other words, UIUC has a little more prestige than UCLA.
The reality is that either would be fine. As to courses, the world of engineering is mostly controlled by the ABET, the organization that accredits engineering programs. The engineering courses you will take at one university are very similar to the ones you will take at the other. Many even use the same books. Sure, there will be some differences but for the most part, you will be learning the same things regardless of which university you choose.
I have a personal preference for UIUC but UCLA would also be fine. If weather is a major factor, you would be correct to be wary of UIUC where the winters can be brutal. If cost is a significant factor, UIUC wins somewhat for the first year and more so over four years because for incoming UIUC freshman, the tuition remains the same as the day you enter for four years (fees and room & board can increase annually). If location is a signficant factor, UCLA is in a major metropolitan area, while UIUC is the middle of Illinois in two small cities (total population about 100,000) and nothing but farmland, forests, and little towns 50 miles in any direction once outside those little cities.