<p>I asked this question already in the University of Chicago forum but would also like to hear what you guys here in the college search forum have to say:</p>
<p>I passed up offers from U of Chicago, UNCCH (OOS), UVa (OOS), U Mich (OOS), Carnegie Mellon, and some other schools for UCLA (OOS). Was that an unwise decision? I feel somewhat guilty for passing up a world-class education at U of Chicago, but I did so because there is no engineering program at U of C. However, I'm not certain if engineering is for me though. </p>
<p>As of today I have not notified my other schools of my decision to attend UCLA, which means I can still bail out if I choose to but I lose my 100 dollar deposit. Any of you guys think my decision to attend UCLA is somewhat absurd or rash? Should I reconsider my other schools and perhaps even U of C?</p>
<p>Where do you live? What would the relative cost be for you?</p>
<p>I personally would go to the U of C of these, but then I would have absolutely no interest in engineering of any sort.</p>
<p>If you DO have a strong interest in some form of engineering, it would seem unwise to go to a school that does not offer it, no matter how wonderful. </p>
<p>On the other hand, why UCLA over U VA or U Mich?</p>
<p>I disagree with above. UCLA is an amazing school, you’ll be getting a world class education there just like you would have at any of your other options. If you think the campus, “feel”, and really nice Southern California weather are for you then by all means, go for UCLA. You can not go wrong, UCLA is a great school. DON’T WORRY!</p>
<p>Also, if you have an interest in engineering, it would be silly to go to a school that doesn’t offer it. So U of C is definitely out then.</p>
<p>It really depends upon your commitment to engineering. That said, UCLA is actually not a bad choice if you are still undecided as you are right Chicago is not a strong place for engineering (UIUC is stronger in state) </p>
<p>I think your two choices to insure that you have a diversity of opportunities (engineering or another field but still at a STRONG university were UCLA and Michigan) Virginia is not really an engineering powerhouse and UNC is not as strong as UCLA or Michigan. (Michigan is arguably stronger depending upon field but not by much) I would prefer UCLA to Mich in terms of location, unless college towns are your thing.</p>
<p>So I think you made a solid practical decision. Chicago is the choice for a non Engineering area of course. On the other end Carnegie Mellon pigeon holed you into engineering. Virginia and UNC are not as strong as Michigan or UCLA.</p>
<p>Michigan and UCLA are very strong in all areas.</p>
<p>Now unless you KNOW you don’t want to do engineering then go to Chicago. Other than that, UCLA sounds about right.</p>
<p>What, you disagree with asking the question “Why”? I made no comparison. I just would wonder WHY he originally preferred UCLA in order to make a rational assessment of his choices.</p>
<p>I was “disagreeing” with the implication you made that U of C was the best choice. You said personally you would go there, making it seem like you thought U of C was the best pick. Well, I don’t think it is. I disagree that the OP should even consider U of C because he is interested in engineering, which U of C doesn’t offer.</p>
<p>You can’t be seriously considering going to a place that doesn’t offer engineering if you are at all interested in studying it. Why limit your career possibilities over something as trivial as a brand name undergrad degree.</p>
<p>Vociferous pretty much hit it right on. If I attend Carnegie Mellon, I’m pretty much binded to the engineering school since I was only admitted to for engineering. My logic was that UNCCH and UVa did not have nearly as strong engineering programs as U Mich, Carnegie Mellon, or UCLA. Overall academic strength definitely goes to U Chicago, then U Mich and then followed closely by UCLA. After weighing in the pros and con, I personally felt that UCLA was the most practical choice, but I wanted to see what others have to say.</p>
<p>By the way, the cost is roughly the same after scholarships/grants at about 40,000 each. For UCLA I was admitted for electrical engineering and I believe the rest was just the engineering school.</p>
<p>I really don’t think that the U of C degree can be derided as simply a “brand name.” There are schools where one could make that claim, but not the U of C. </p>
<p>Anyway, UCLA has at least as strong–if not stronger in many quarters–a 'brand" as the U of C. As does the U of M. Sports teams make a big difference.</p>
<p>As vociferous says, it seems as if the U of M would be the other major contender, besides UCLA, given the OP’s interests.</p>
<p>Check the US News more current rankings as they have not changed much.</p>
<p>No not for undergrads, but bigger name profs bring in bigger bucks in the form of research grants which means jobs and experience for grads and undergrads They also have GREAT industry connections, which COULD benefit you if you get to know your professors.</p>
They also have GREAT industry connections, which COULD benefit you if you get to know your professors.</p>