My son has been accepted into both. Beside the obvious of Cost, Weather, and Area how do the actual programs stack up against each other? The ability to work hands on as a freshman, class sizes, etc. Super impressed by both. We are from So. Cal and visited Purdue last summer.
Thanks for the advice.
You might want to ask in the Engineering forum.
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/
I’ve never taken a class at Purdue, but I’d think the classes at Big-10 public universities are probably going to be larger and less personal than the ones at USC. I grew up next door in Ohio and find Midwest winters very dreary. Otherwise, probably not a big difference in what and how things get taught. Employers aren’t going to make a big distinction between USC and Purdue, which both have excellent engineering schools. I know lots of Purdue engineering grads and they’re as competent as anyone else.
I’d pick whichever school your son feels more comfortable at.
Thanks for your comment. We will look more into class sizes.
@clevergreg I can’t compare because I don’t know Purdue, but I can tell you mine went through Viterbi CS, graduating just a couple years ago, and it was insanely amazing. The projects, the groups/clubs/community work they can get involved in, how they got to know the professors, the opportunities to TA, the peers were all over-achievers in a good/fun way, the connections throughout and when done - all added up to a fantastic experience while there, and incredible internships and opportunities when done. Double major or adding a minor challenging but doable if driven. Couldn’t be happier with the education he received.
We have a similar decision and evaluated both schools, as well as other options. Your ability to visit seems like a great advantage over us. Purdue seems to be very popular now in our SoCal neck of the woods - go figure. The kids going there, love it. The first-year engineering program is unique, and gives great exposure to all facets, great hands on. The students are collegial. Purdue is highly regarded for its outstanding undergraduate education (noted by a family member who is a professor of engineering and into the education aspects,) and boilmakers have a strong network - as do Trojans! USC is smaller. The feel is really different between the too, but have no personal experience. I found the parent groups on facebook helpful to obtain real student experiences - however everyone seems quite positive. Occasionally you find a family that has had a kid at each! Also some schools have some great video chats with students, and faculty. So hard to get a feel when you can not visit! My DS really wanted to go OOS. So we were leaning towards Boston because we have been there several times. Never to Lafayette! Viterbi also has great industry contacts, kids love the college spirit, team sports, but so does Purdue. We have a family friend who is a former Chancellor for UC, and still meets with Universities across the country, she is a strong advocate for Purdue Engineering. These are tough decisions, especially in the times of COVID. . What is your DS leaning towards?
Thanks for the info. My son is leaning towards USC. We put the deposit down as it buys us more time to make the decision since Purdue moved to a June 1 decision day. I like Purdue better for him, but I am not the one going and I have to remind myself of that sometimes. The cost does not seem to outweigh the benefit for USC in my opinion. He would have to take loans and work study for USC, but we can pay for Purdue straight out for the 4 years with his 529 and save for grad school during the 4 years he is there. It’s tough. Thanks again for all your comments.