UMich (Ann Arbor) or UIUC for mechanical engineering

<p>Hi friends
I received offers from both schools to join their college of engineering. I am trying to choose between the two. I want information on the reputation of these schools, like which is one more recognized, as I am planning to go top universities like MIT or Stanford for my Masters degree, and I know the college where I do my undergraduate degree is important for admission. Morever, I have also applied to carnegie mellon. How does its engineering school compare with UMich and UIUC? Therefore, please provide constructive views to enable me to decide.. Thank You for your time and thoughts.. Really appreciated..</p>

<p>I'm an EE graduate student at Stanford now (undergrad from UIUC), and I'd say their reputations are virtually identical, although UIUC has a slightly better Engineering reputation overall and Michigan has a slightly better MechE reputation. Carnegie Mellon is not as reputed in Engineering, and it also costs a lot more. Either UIUC or Michigan would give you very good opportunities to excel and be admitted to top graduate programs, so I would suggest attending the school that is cheaper or has a better campus life for you.</p>

<p>I'd say that either one, UIUC or UMich, would be great for getting where you want to go. The academic reputations of both are absolutely stellar. Carnegie-Mellon is a little more expensive, as im_blue says, but it'll get you there, too, for sure. It's not as highly ranked, but from what I've seen and heard, it's a lot like Rice, in that their grads are highly esteemed in the academic engineering world, and that you should have a pretty easy time getting in to any of the top programs with a CMU degree.</p>

<p>I still contend that in order to go to a great grad school, you have to be a successful undergrad, and in my own experience, a successful undergrad starts out as a happy undergrad. Definitely definitely <em>definitely</em> visit all three campuses! Since you really can't go wrong with any of the three schools, money aside, whichever one you feel like you'd be happiest at, <em>I</em> think would probably give you the greatest shot at being successful in your quest for grad school admission.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

<p>I did undergrad at UIUC and was pleased with the academics, but absolutely hated the environment. This motivated me to study harder and graduate in 2.5 years, so I could go to grad school earlier. But yeah, a good campus life helps a lot.</p>

<p>Thank you im_blue and aibarr</p>