<p>I am currently deciding between UIUC and UT for electrical engineering. Both schools have similar cost of attendance estimates of 48k. UIUC has offered me a 12k/yr while UT has offered a 6k/yr (both scholarship, no aid except loans was given). Both schools have invited me to their respective Honors programs (EHP at UT). I know both are strong in the field and I cannot really go wrong, although UIUC is better ranked. I am pretty confused about what to do so I would like some advice! Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>austin may be a nicer city, but uiuc ee is legendary. make a pick based on fit, feel, and distance from home etc. did you visit both school?</p>
<p>it may finally come down to what shade of orange you really like wearing!</p>
<p>Thank you for your response. Both are such wonderful schools it makes it hard for me to decide. UIUC’s reputation in EE is amazing, and living in the midwest everyone knows about UIUC’s great history (Although most of my friends hate on Illinois because of the Mizzou, UIUC rivalry). I asked the same question in the UT subforum (<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-texas-austin/1317920-ut-vs-uiuc-ee-consider-financial-details.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-texas-austin/1317920-ut-vs-uiuc-ee-consider-financial-details.html</a>) and both of the responses I have gotten make compelling cases. I have visited UIUC and although I did enjoy it, it did not feel incredible. I am going to visit UT soon so hopefully I will be able to come to a conclusion based on feel then.</p>
<p>Are there any other factors that anyone has that I should consider between the two schools? Any opinions or ideas are welcome. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Edit:
Also at a recent UIUC visit I had (during the big engineering day) some of the electrical engineering students were telling me how it can be difficult to get internships for UIUC students in freshman and sophomore year. How true is this? Also, those students told me that research opportunities are very limited for freshman and sophomores and in some cases even the upperclassmen. Does anyone have any information about these?</p>
<p>Finally, how is the James Scholar’s Honors engineering program? I have only learned about it from the emails and letters specifically about it. I was hoping from some insight from those that actually know about the program.</p>
<p>confus!! I totally know where youre comming from. Ive been accepted to both schools for chem eng (&honors program for both) Im actually from tx… born and raised haha so ive been to ut’s campus numerous times for school competitions, friends, funzies etc… although ausitn is CRAZY and entertaining, I would say UIUC is way better. not only is it ranked higher, the campus is nicer. UT’s campus is made up of lines of buildings right after each. And is not that fun to walk back and forth etc. Not to include the bad weather… haha thats why i applied to many north schools. especially if you received more fin aid from UIUC i would say that would be worth it. I hoped this helped!</p>
<p>I went to the UT Austin campus once and I really dislike it. You have no space at all.</p>
<p>amen to eng7809… I’m not kidding.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input eng7809 and dptmej. Dptmej, which school have you decided on?
I have heard that the campus is nice from some friends that have visited (and one that goes there right now), but I guess that is just one of those personal things that I will have to determine once I visit UT!
The weather is actually something I really like about UT over UIUC. I have lived in the midwest for pretty much all my life and have gotten tired of the crazy weather shifts. I also do not think I would mind the heat too much especially because I would not be there in the summer, although the end of August and start of september would probably be pretty brutal.
UIUC being cheaper (especially including travel and if I live in an apartment later on - I think) is the biggest thing influencing my decision at the moment. For the others, the schools tend to even out (eg. UIUC has a better ranking but UT benefits from Austin being a major technology hub, etc.).</p>