Please help me input your thought if you are Chem Engineer.
Ca resident got in UT Austin, UCSD, and UW seattle. I know UCSD is the cheapest route, unfortunately chem engineering in UCSD is relatively new and UCSD curriculum is weaker than UT Austin, so you won’t have real engineering experience like UT Austin. Also, energy company will most likely recruit students from UT Austin than other school. UCSD chem e is more toward bio so you will be mostly work in the lab as entry level unless your pursuit to Phd. Please share your thought if you are in Chem E fields. I am not too familiar with UW Seattle., So, UCSD or UT Austin or UW seattle? I have to pay full tuition to all schools anyway, so internship and job opportunities will be more important.factor .
Not a chem eng but this is kids major, what other schools did you get into? As you go into UT Austin OOS you must have a slew of options? Or are you international full pay everywhere?
Those are the only choices i got so far, and doubt will get in other private school. UT Austin OOS , but i think if you get a good job, the diff. in $60k for 4 years can be relative term.
http://main.abet.org/aps/AccreditedProgramsDetails.aspx?OrganizationID=5766 indicates that UCSD has had ABET accreditation for chemical engineering since 1985, so it is not a new program. It is actually UCSD’s second oldest ABET accredited engineering program (electrical engineering was ABET accredited in 1982).
I think the confusion is that Chem E at UCSD is now part of the Department of Nanoengineering. The department name, and the major of Nanoengineering, are relatively new; this changed occurred in 2007. But ucbalum is right, chem e at UCSD is not new.
I am a chemical engineer and I find some of OP’s assertions, such as “you won’t have real engineering experience” at UCSD, questionable. I would agree with the OP that UT Austin would probably be stronger for energy (read: oil and gas) recruiting. UCSD would be stronger in pharma/biotech. Depends on what floats your boat. The UT program is ranked higher, for what that’s worth.
What was the driving force behind the application choices if the UCSD focus is so off? A student picked as OOS for UT Austin engineering must be outstanding, so where are the other engineering powerhouses offers?, it can’t be about money as UT Austin is pretty up there for OOS students.
^^^What Mobius911 said.
I think UT Austin would also be a lot more fun than UCSD.
But, you need to consider the cost differences. It’s not likely that you’ll make a lot more graduating from UT vs. UCSD, so the return on investment is not likely to be great.
I agree that recruiting for oil and gas companies will be better at UT vs. SD. SD does have a strong biotech niche.
The thing is, who knows what state the oil industry will be in 4-5 years from now when you’re graduating. The industry is very cyclical. UCSD is the more conservative option from your investment.
Did you apply to Berkeley ChemE?
Yes, I did, but i doubt that I will get in since i did’t receive the first round of regent offer. I do get in UC Santa Barbra , , kind of hesitate to choose UCSB although their Chem E is higher ranking than UCSD.
Re-bringing up this thread for my own interests. I’m also an incoming freshman from California who will be majoring in ChemE. I’m dead set on UT (it’s been my dream school for years), but finances may not allow it.
UCSD is my favorite school out of the UCs, but I know it’s program isn’t as great. I also would like to go into biotech, but darn do I love everything about UT and Austin. I’d be willing to stay in Texas even if it means going into oil/petroleum.
I did get into other worthy schools for engineering and ChemE in general, but I would like to focus on the pros and cons of these two schools (please don’t mention Berkeley… I’ve already gotten enough confrontation from my parents and family friends about going to Berkeley to last a lifetime).
Just go to UCSD (I am totally not saying this just because I am currently waiting to hear back from UT on an appeal for chemical engineering…). In all seriousness though, have you visited both schools? Personally, I find this very important (I have visited UT like 20 times, granted I live fairly close to Austin). Do not let money decide for you unless it’s absolutely necessary. Good luck with your decision!
P.S. Should you decide to choose UCSD, please please please decline your offer from UT immediately so folks like me who submitted an appeal can get a chance! Thanks.