<p>Something similar was post posted at another sub-forum but there has been no reply. </p>
<p>I am deciding on these three choices for undergraduate electrical engineering.
Pros and cons on my list so far:</p>
<p>1.UIUC has a fabulous program in EE, at least at the graduate level, and has an edge in international reputation. </p>
<p>2 The undergraduate admission for USC has become more selective over the years and both USC and their enginering department has received some generous donations. USC is considered up and coming. </p>
<p>3.Case Western Reserve University(CWRU) has a strong history on engineering education, their BME is great but EE there is a relatively weak one when compared to UIUC and USC (although CWRU also allows me to do BME but I am not interested in BME at the undergraduate level). Regardless, I find the opportunity to study in smaller classs at a quality private school, and at a good price, hard to pass by.</p>
<p>Costs:</p>
<p>1.UIUC: OOS,only receives a small amount of need-based aid, total out of pocket expenses would be around 45k/yr for four years.
2.USC: missed the deadline for scholarships but has received a financial package in which the large portion of the free money is in the form of grant, which is most likely to be reduced substantially in the following years after my sister graduates from college next year. The total cost for four years would then be similar to that for UIUC.
3 CWRU: the generous financial package consists maninly of scholarships. Provided that I am able to keep them in subsequent years, the total out-of-pocket cost for four years would be 70k less compared to UIUC and USC.</p>
<p>My dilemma:</p>
<p>Would the strength of the UIUC grad EE program be translated to benefits that the big crowd of undergraduates may take advantage of without fiercely competing with each other?
With a smaller EE department compared to UIUC, do USC enginering students have smaller classes or better research opportunities?</p>
<p>Would the potential benefits provided by the higher ranked UIUC or USC programs,e.g., better graduate placement or job prospectus, justify $70K more compared to CWRU?</p>
<p>Any input would be highly appreciated.</p>