<p>Hi I have recently got accepted into Penn State in US, Edinburgh in Scotland and Manchester in England. I will be majoring in Electrical Engineering.</p>
<p>About me:
I'm 22 years old, international student, been working hard to save money and have a good quality education abroad.</p>
<p>What I'm looking for?
Prestige and academic strength. After I graduate whether from US or UK, I want to continue to graduate school at one of the top US universities (i.e Ivy league).</p>
<p>Both Edinburgh and Manchester are very strong academically, they're ranked 20th and 29th respectively according to US news. Many prime minsters and presidents graduated from Edinburgh. Also, Edinburgh associated with 15 nobel prize winners and Manchester with about 25 winners. I think it show the level of their academic and research strength. Correct me if I'm wrong?</p>
<p>Penn State is a very good school and one of the top 50 nationally. Their engineering department has a solid reputation. I have also seen the campus on Google maps and I loved the atmosphere of it. Besides, people told me I would have better chance getting into US top graduate schools If I studied in US.</p>
<p>Finally, there will be a lot of money going to be spent into one of these universities. So please guys help me choose the best one for me.</p>
<p>Who told you it would be easier to get into grad school in the US if you study your undergrad in the US? What are your goals for grad school? M.Eng.? M.S.? Ph.D?</p>
<p>At the grad level in the US, you would be expected to pay for an M.Eng. so the shorter (and probably cheaper) undergraduate UK degree would be the way to go. An M.S. might be partially funded, and a Ph.D. that isn’t fully funded is not worth pursuing. At the Ph.D. level for STEM fields, the market is world-wide. A good international degree will not be an automatic impediment to admissions.</p>
<p>Do employers in your country care where you earn your undergraduate degree? If so, and if it is affordable for you, choose that program. There is no guarantee whatsoever that you would be able to remain in the US after the time permitted for OPT after completing your studies. Check work policies in the UK to determine your options there.</p>
<p>Actually, a lot of engineers at Edinburgh enroll in a 5 year program where they complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree (according to a chemical engineering student I met on a trip to Edinburgh to visit the school). Personally, I would choose Edinburgh. I wouldn’t have even applied to Penn State after the scandal, especially with the administration trying to cover it up. </p>
<p>If you’re still looking to get into grad school in the United States, I would say go to Edinburgh or Manchester. These have much better reputations worldwide. Plus, it seems like you’re an older student, and being in a city like Edinburgh or Manchester would allow you to socialize with others your own age.</p>
<p>EDIT
However, posting online and listening to opinions from others who you don’t know isn’t the best way to make your college decision.</p>
<p>I still haven’t decided yet, I still didn’t even begin my studies and whatever I think I will be doing in grad school might change later. And staying in US after the time permitted for OPT is the least of my concerns now.</p>
<p>Academics - Is on top of my priories (I want the most challenging program that is most current in terms of the present landscape (i.e. best courses, access to modern labs, platforms, material, sharp professors). </p>
<p>Graduate school acceptance - Which university would increase my chances/prepare me better for a top US grad school in Electrical Engineering or MBA?</p>
<p>Everyone seems to be leaning toward Edinburgh. It’s really great university and it has a worldwide reputation overall. However, I don’t know much about their engineering department. Is it better than Penn state? In terms of challenging courses, access to modern labs, platforms material, sharp professors.</p>
<p>Plus, which one of the three would provide more research opportunities and internships?</p>
<p>For engineering/EE research, Penn State is somewhat better regarded than Manchester, which is then somewhat ahead of Edinburgh.</p>
<p>On the other hand, UK university education is subject focused, while US has general education requirement even for engineers. You have to decide which one fits you better.</p>
<p>FlyMeToTheMoon,
US is always preferred in Middle east. It’s nearly impossible to find US graduate unemployed. UK comes close after US. But because I will study in US for grad school, I’m looking to get the best undergraduate experience whether in US or UK in terms of research opportunities, internships, access to modern labs, platforms material, sharp professors … etc</p>
<p>PCHope,
Thank you. Could you please elaborate more on Penn State engineering/EE research?</p>