<p>UMich(CoE) Vs. USC(Viterbi) Vs. Northwestern(McCormick) Vs. WashU Engineering </p>
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<p>Hey guys, I have a difficult scenario. All four of these are great schools, but of course I can only go to one for ug. NW and WashU are going to cost me at least 32000 dollars each per year so I do not think I should be in debt of more than $120000 for an ug degree that isn't as important as a graduate degree. So, I guess those are out. If I go to UMich or USC, I barely have to pay more than $4000. I'm 95% sure I would choose USC over UMich if none of my waitlists come back because of the warmer weather and all the connections California has to offer. Anyway, the logic I have shown here of getting to my choice of a school is all fine and dandy, but I want to ask if I'm missing something that could change my leaning towards USC. For example, such important issues that could sway my decision are top graduate school admissions rates after graduation, overall prestige, transfer rates to other top colleges(if I need to transfer that is), and the strength of the school in general. I am doing chemical(nuclear) engineering with chemistry. Also, I am interested in business management as well a bit since I want to run my own company someday. Which of these schools would you go to if you were in my shoes? Thanks!</p>
<p>Do you care about program ranking/perceived prestige? Are you focused on working in California? Or are you looking for global recognition?
Michigan’s COE is typically in the top 10 in the US (7 ish I believe) and very well regarded nationally and internationally. But you sound like you have your criteria (eg. weather) sorted for your own preference so you should go where a) it’s economical and b) you believe you’d be happy.
Overall, UMich is ranked 15th worldwide in terms of general caliber of the school when referring to global rankings that are less skewed than USNews.
I’ll let the ENG types give you more detailed advice though; mine is general ;)</p>
<p>Northwestern for cache globally and for people not “in the know” (What I mean by this is that the casual college bound or non-college groups aren’t aware of the prestige of the other schools, but everyone know Northwestern)–All of other schools have states in their names and are sometimes confused oversea’s even though Wash U is in Missiouri people tend to think of the state–plus UMich, for example has many campuses, but only one that is prestigious.</p>
<p>There is only one Northwestern–great city close by and great town location weather is bad in winter-no argument, Wash U is in the suburbs and St. Louis is not a draw, USC is tough cometition from a weather standpoint. Also, I think Northwestern is the smallest at 12K UG (could be wrong-- Wash U may be that size). Those are my thoughts if I was going for prestige but,if I put that on a lower rung, I’d go to USC for the weather/lifestyle. It would be possibly my only oppotunity to live in Cali. Good Luck, you have great choices.</p>
<p>^Huh? Nobody cares that Michigan has three campuses. Northwestern’s engineering school isn’t as good as Michigan’s. Neither is USC’s or WashU’s, for that matter. I’m not really a fan of WashU or USC because they spend more time manipulating their admission stats to pander to the USNWR people than actually improving their school. Michigan pours money into their campus. And if you’re going for worldwide prestige, Michigan is also the way to go. People around the world aren’t biased against publics like USNWR is. Berkeley and Michigan are regarded as easily in the top 15 in the US.
I also don’t really understand picking USC over Michigan for weather. It doesn’t really seem like a good reason to choose a school. Remember also that in USC you will be living in the ghetto. In Michigan you have Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>ezaimm–
No disrespect to UMich–in fact, I am anxiously awaiting their long, drawn-out admision decision–already rejected to Northwestern. The truth is, when I tell people (out of the country people as well)where I applied–a good majoity of the people comment about Northwestern (usually punctuated with a Wow) and many people have asked "which Michigan (even going as far as asking Western Michigan or Michigan State?_ or Washington State? Granted those will not be the people hiring me, however, I was answering from a purely cache standpoint. Those in the know, are fully aware of the credentials of those schools–My comments are from the masses. </p>
<p>In addition, is there really that much of a difference between a #7 rated school and a #10 rated? No! School choice will differ only slightly in education, it is the other intangibles that will matter–Networking, yes, weather, location (other than weather), school size, etc.</p>
<p>p.s. I agree with the USC comment about a bad location within the city, but good weather (smog and traffic) another CA problem</p>
<p>I don’t know if it matters but UM is ranked number 1 for Nuclear Engineering. I would honestly pick which school fits you the most though. All your choice!!</p>
<p>“Northwestern may be a better school overall, but for the things that matter (like engineering) Michigan wins hands down.”</p>
<p>Other than USNWR, which everyone knows has biases against the top publics, where did you get the idea that NU is better overall than U-M internationally?</p>
<p>I think the real argument is between USC and University of Michigan. Both great schools. Both on the up and up. Both top-notch engineering programs. I think you should go to USC because it has hotter chicks, better weather, Los Angeles at your fingertips, and the Trojan Family which really is a family. </p>
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<p>Yes, you are in the ghetto, but USC probably has the best campus police in the country. As long as you stay on USC’s campus you’ll be safe. In addition USC is within 15-20 minute drive of Sunset Blvd, Westwood, Santa Monica, LAX, Beverly Hills, etc.</p>
<p>I’m not going to say anything about the other schools, but as a graduating senior in the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering, I will guarantee that you will receive top-class education, no matter what major you decide to choose.</p>
<p>I don’t have statistics to prove anything, but I do have to say that every engineering friend I know have no worries about what to do after graduation, whether it be going to grad school or getting a job. Heck, seeing friends turn down job offers from big companies to continue to grad school is proof that kids here are serious about learning and not just trying to get a degree to get some money in life.</p>
<p>And Ann Arbor is definitely not comparable to a city in size, but it is a classy town.</p>
<p>I do have to tell you that getting a good grade is here tough–median score is usually a B/B- here (well, at least in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences Department), but you definitely learn something and gain confidence in your field in the end.</p>
<p>wherewillibe, I am not sure where you come from, but my experience has been very different from yours. In the countries I have lived in (England, France, Germany, Lebanon and the UAE), Michigan tends to be very recognized. </p>
<p>Unlike the UCs which are many, when wel educated non-residents hear of the University of Michigan, they first ask “Ann Arbor?” followed by a clear nod of approval. Few people living outside of Michigan know that the University of Michigan has two other satelite campuses. </p>
<p>Furthermore, other than sadly impressionable high school kids, few universities other than Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford and Yale will inspire the “wow” reaction. Caltech may in some circles, as may Berkeley, Columbia and perhaps Chicago. Penn will not, but Wharton will.</p>
<p>archen3, I would not worry too much about weather unless your mood is seriously impacted by it. Millions of people live happily in the Northeast and the Midwest, regardless of the weather conditions.</p>
<p>Now choosing between those four excellent universities, is actually not that difficult. I would recommend Michigan or USC. Northwestern and WUSTL are not worth paying $130,000 for when you can attend Michigan or USC for under $20,000. </p>
<p>Between Michigan and USC, the choice is much harder. USC is simply not as good as Michigan in Engineering. As such, on-campus recruitment and graduate placement from Michigan may be slightly better than from USC. But USC has a stronger alumni base in the LA area (not so much in the Bay area, where Michigan enjoys an excellent reputation) and that seems to matter to you.</p>
<p>Thank you guys so much! I recently talked to my counselor and she says that I can basically just pick Michigan and USC because they are both really respected, world-leading universities. After hearing from you guys, I think I can be more content with which of the two I pick. So, if I think, my mentors think, and you caring people out there think its between USC and Michigan, I guess I really can’t go wrong choosing either. That’s really reassuring! However, I just want to know; is there really any difference in top graduate schools(I want to go to either Stanford or MIT) prospectives if I choose one over the other? Like, would a engineering degree from USC connect better with the top graduate schools than one from Michigan would? I asked my counselor and she said it really doesn’t matter which of the schools I will attend since Michigan and USC are top schools. She told me its more what I do there that really matters. I think she is right(since my counselor is like a godmother to me), but I want some more opinions. Thank you for your help!</p>
<p>“Like, would a engineering degree from USC connect better with the top graduate schools than one from Michigan would?”</p>
<p>You make it sound like USC is better in engineering than Michigan. Michigan is ranked a bit higher in overall engineering than USC and ALWAYS has been. Why would you think it would be held in higher esteem?</p>
<p>“I’m 95% sure I would choose USC over UMich if none of my waitlists come back because of the warmer weather and all the connections California has to offer.”</p>
<p>Why are you still asking questions? Just go to USC and be happy.</p>
<p>archen, you seem like you really want to go to USC. That’s a great university with a highly regarded Engineering program. Future prospects will be excellent regardless of which program you choose to attend as long as you work hard, do well and plan ahead. Go for it!</p>
<p>all these schools are great, i would pick the school based on cost and fit. Save that money for grad school and go where u see yourself happiest. How successful you will be, will depend on how well you do at these schools, so pick the one that gives you the best chance academically and socially.</p>
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