USC (Southern Cal) vs. Northeastern vs. Cal Poly vs. Villanova for Engineering?

<p>I've been accepted to USC, Northeastern, Cal Poly, and Villanova for engineering, and am struggling to pick one. I love USC and Northeastern because they are in big cities, which is really where I would like to be for college. However, I am concerned that personality fits the Boston (Northeastern) lifestyle more than it does the Southern California lifestyle, although USC outranks Northeastern's engineering program, although I feel as though Northeastern's co-op program might help to balance that. I realize that Cal Poly and Villanova both have very highly ranked engineering programs, but I can't picture myself living in the locations where they are. I feel like USC is where I am leaning, but I am concerned with the Southern California lifestyle. I am concerned that the bleach-blonde, frat and sorority population is overwhelming in Cali, is that ridiculous? I am looking for opinions as to which school would give me the best engineering education and opportunities, but also somewhere where I could be happy. Thanks for the opinions!</p>

<p>You eliminated cal poly because of its location, which is very similar to USCs</p>

<p>USC’s location is right near downtown LA and the staples center. That can’t even compare with Cal Poly’s middle of nowhere location (I am assuming you are talking about San Luis Obispo. If you are talking about Pomona, I don’t know.)</p>

<p>But this is CRAZY cuz i have the same situation. I got into northeastern, usc, and villanova and i prefer the big city like you. I am doing research to figure out the same things so I will post as I find things, but what I have know so far:</p>

<p>I have been to USC and LA and there is definitely a different feeling to it, but to me it didn’t seem like anything most people couldn’t handle. I guess it depends on where you have lived before; I did live in northern CA for 6 years but it was still different.</p>

<p>I too, quickly assumed that Villanova wouldn’t offer the same city benefits as the other two but you are close enough that you can get the opportunities if you look for them. Being directly in a big city doesn’t mean you’ll be getting job offers left and right; you still have to go out and get them.</p>

<p>The co-op program at Northeastern is very appealing but it that is partly because it makes everything easier. USC does have co-ops and internships and job fairs and a career center. They also live on their Trojan Family which is what they call their network of Trojan alumni that look to help future USC graduates I think. Just a side note, they are heavy on tradition with “Fight On” and Trojan Family and stuff. Not a bad thing, just weird if you haven’t been a part of something like that before.</p>

<p>Like you said, USC is probably the engineering school but by no means superiorly better than the others. I haven’t looked into the other ones yet but USC allows you to focus on other aspects if you don’t want to be a hardcore engineer like business, entrepreneurship. Many kids get minors in completely other fields according to their VKey site. Umm yeah I am heavy on USC info cuz the VKey site is actually very helpful and easy and it is harder to do research on the others.</p>

<p>I am also leaning towards USC but they gave me a financial aid package that far surpasses northeastern and villanova. I often forget how much I liked villanova when i visited because there aren’t many things that stand out about the school but it is a great school. Northeastern would also be amazing because of Boston. It is the lifestyle in SC that is preventing from pushing the button so quickly but I think that even if I don’t like the lifestyle that much, that I can always go back to Boston after I graduate. I am hoping that others that have actually gone to these schools can give some more/better advice b/c i need to make a decision too.</p>

<p>Go with USC if you like it the most, you will find people with similar interests as you there.</p>

<p>Can’t tell you anything about Villa and NE. but I do know a thing or two about USC and Cal Poly. Lets assume you live outside of CA. Assume both schools will have the same out of pocket expense(depends on your aid package). USC all the way. Look at the four year grad rates for Cal Poly. Only roughly 30% of eng student graduate in 4 years. How will you get to SLO? both USC and CP are very “white”. Cal Poly is more a middle class white “popular” kid state school. (The latest accreditation recommend that CP make effort to be more diverse). At least USC tries to recruit diversity and is in the heart of very diverse city. USC has an international rep and strong global alum network. I’m not sure that Cal Poly students can earn a minor. (the school was considering doing away with minors to improve it’s grad rate) USC has many different programs from film to business to medicine. You will be living on campus/living with/socializing with students of extremely high caliber across a large spectrum of talent. College isn’t trade school. A good deal of “learning” happens outside the class room. USC!
Now lets assume you are instate CA and are paying full tuition or will need to take on serious debt. Save $150K and go to Cal Poly. Even with the four year grad rate you’ll be way ahead finacially and starting your career or grad school off on the right track. You’ll have pleanty of $$ left for grad school or a world tour or down payment on house.<br>
Good Luck.</p>