USC, Minnesota or Wisconsin for ChemE?

<p>My old school didn't have an engineering program and so far I got accepted to all of these programs as a junior transfer. Which one is the best? Obviously USC has the name compared to the others but Big 10 engineering is extremely good.</p>

<p>Obviously??–not so much. Maybe in football. USC has made great strides in building the academic side but they are still not quite there yet.
<a href=“http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2011.html[/url]”>http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2011.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>For ChemE and industry connection for chemE grads, Minn > or = Wisc >> USC</p>

<p>^ I tend to agree, however, what out-of-pocket costs are you looking at for these programs?</p>

<p>As I said in your thread on the SC forum, difference will largely be on-campus recruiting.</p>

<p>25k for Wisconsin and 42k for USC but I’m pretty sure I can get USC lower via filling out the financial aid form or through the transfer merit scholarship. I live on the west coast so USC is definitely preferable in terms of location but which program is the strongest and will set me up better for grad school</p>

<p>If USC can match Wisconsin’s offer, go ahead and take USC (if you want to remain in Socal). Just NOT through student loans!</p>

<p>Otherwise, I’d take the Wisky offer and not look back…great ChemE program and a fun, college city. Spread your wings a bit. </p>

<p>Minnesota not an option for you? If costs were similar between Minnesota and Wisconsin, I’d choose Wisconsin…seems like a more complete college experience to me.</p>

<p>Definitely</p>

<p>[College</a> Rankings 2011: Most Beautiful - The Daily Beast](<a href=“http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/features/college-rankings/2011/most-beautiful.university-of-wisconsin-madison.html]College”>http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/features/college-rankings/2011/most-beautiful.university-of-wisconsin-madison.html)</p>

<p>transfer107,</p>

<p>As I mentioned, UMinn and Wisc have long been ChemE powerhouses and have great connections with industry firms such as Dow. USC is not considered one of the top programs. I’d probably choose Wisc for its overall package - strength in chemE, general academic reputation, and typical college experience. But if you really want to stay in SoCal, it’d be USC then.</p>

<p>Here’s the graduate ranking:
<a href=“http://www.che.lehigh.edu/blog/NRC.pdf[/url]”>http://www.che.lehigh.edu/blog/NRC.pdf&lt;/a&gt;
This is actually one of the fields where graduate rankings do matter. Pharm, oil & gas, and chemical companies do like to actively recruit from top programs.</p>

<p>^ Sam, there are undergrad ChemE rankings:
[Chemical</a> | Rankings | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-chemical]Chemical”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-chemical)</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>^they are essentially the same thing as USN grad rankings as both are based on peer assessment</p>

<p>Minny is offering me 16k as opposed to 22k for Wisconsin. I’m fine with spending the extra 6k and going to Wisconsin just because of the benefits of going to a more nationally recognized school. What do you guys think about Minny vs Wisconsin?</p>

<p>Push for ChemE. Madison hands down for big-time college experience.</p>

<p>

Imagine that! Academics think grad strength translates to undergrad strength… but that, along with PA is a taboo subject on these boards. :)</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>LOL. Homer comment. </p>

<p>Minnesota is nationally and internationally recognized as outstanding in ChemE and will easily give you as many, if not not more and better, career opportunities. Faced with that choice, I’d pocket the $6K difference in COA and go for Minny in a heartbeat. Wisconsin’s a good school and Madison’s a great college town, but there’s a lot to be said for the Twin Cities urban experience. These are sme of the liveliest, most liveable cities in America.</p>

<p>Unless you dislike urban locations I would choose Minnesota due to the equal academics [better at ChemE slightly worse overall] and cheaper cost.</p>

<p>25k for Wisconsin and 42k for USC but I’m pretty sure I can get USC lower via filling out the financial aid form or through the transfer merit scholarship. I live on the west coast so USC is definitely preferable in terms of location but which program is the strongest and will set me up better for grad school</p>

<p>Are you talking about tuition only? The COA for USC is more than that. And the COA for UMinn is more than that.</p>

<p>When will you get your FA packages? I think much will depend on affordability if money is a concern. How much will your parents pay?
How are you planning on paying for school?</p>

<p>Are you saying that you haven’t filled the FA paperwork yet?</p>

<p>If you don’t get good aid for USC, the UMinn will be your best deal…great for ChemE and lowish cost for OOS. But, you’ll still have a decent amount to pay. Will your parents pay for UMinn?</p>

<p>I am confused too. You applied for UCS without filling out financial paperwork that might get you an offer and think that you can still do it at this late date? </p>

<p>Also you should be comparing COA with EFC. Are you saying EFC for you for all of these is full tuition and cost of attendence? </p>

<p>btw, my daughter has attended grad school at Wisconsin for 3 years now and absolutely loves the area.</p>

<p>Having visited both schools with DD, I can say that we left UWisc unimpressed. UMinn has a better program, a new Nanotechnology & Physics center to be completed in 2013 and in our experience, more hands on opportunities. UMINN’s honors college appears to be an amazing opportunity if you are interested/qualified for it.</p>

<p>Minnesota and Wisconsin are both top-notch for ChemE. I don’t think there’s really much of an academic difference.

More importantly, Minnesota claimed the 2011-12 McNaughton Cup and advanced to the Frozen Four. Wisconsin? Does the phrase ‘losing record’ ring any bells?</p>

<p>Go Gophers! :)</p>

<p>Haha, I’m going to USC for free. PhD yo!!!</p>

<p>I would pick based on location.</p>