I am studying mechanical engineering and planning to transfer to University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in the fall as a Junior. However, when I visited the campus, I did not like it one bit. Sure the party scene is nice and its a very nice engineering college (number 5 for mech-E, I believe) but the campus just looks ugly. My girlfriend is going to University of Washington for Aerospace and I have scene some pictures and I have to say, the campus looks beautiful, but its ranked maybe top 20 for engineering. I really want to go to UW and be with my girlfriend but I also want a degree from a really good college. I know UW (out of state) is also a lot more expensive than UofI (in state). There is also a lot more to do in Seattle than in the middle of nowhere in Champaign since I love the outdoors. Would the difference in ranking effect my chances at a good job dramatically? Opinions? Thanks!
Jobs won’t make a difference, but cost sure will.
What are your parents saying about the costs? how would you pay for the much higher costs?
How much will your parents pay for UIUC or UWash? both give lousy aid.
Have you run the NPC on UWash’s website? Do they let you indicate that you are a transfer?
I have one son at U of I studying computer engineering and one son at UW studying pre-med. Both campuses are amazing (we live in Cal) but I have to say… U of I is a tad bit prettier. The U of I is an absolutely amazing school. The campus is something most college kids only dream of. The town isn’t fantastic like Seattle is, but the campus itself?? Just wow. Washington is a beautiful campus as well and they are both very close as far as architecture goes but… U of I wins as far as beautiful campuses and the topper of it all… Waaaayyy better engineering school. Be prepared to study harder than you’ve ever studied.