UT Austin vs. UCSD vs. CMU

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
1

<p>My career goal is to either research the similarities between computers and the brain or to engineer prosthetics that interact with the nervous system. I feel like the best paths to reach my goals are to earn my Bachelor's degree in bioengineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or secondarily computer science. I plan to continue on to graduate school to study at the MIT Media Lab in neuroengineering or biomechatronics or to study neuroscience at UC San Diego. I have been accepted into UC San Diego for bioengineering (biotechnology), UT Austin for electrical engineering, and have the option to be put on the priority waitlist at Carnegie Mellon for computer science or mechanical engineering.</p>

<p>Carnegie Mellon:
-Distinguished computer science program and great mechanical engineering.
-Pittsburgh is apparently not the best place to live.
-Transferring to electrical/computer engineering from within the school is "virtually impossible" according to CMU.
-I know a few people who will go to CMU.</p>

<p>UCSD:
-Best Location
-3rd ranked bioengineering program.
-Will be close to my brother.
-Top rated graduate neuroscience program.
-Considering attempting a double major in BME and Comp Sci.</p>

<p>UT:
-Best Student Life
-Highly rated in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, and mechanical engineering.
-Super cheap (I'm from Texas).
-I have good friends at UT.
-Will attempt to double major in two out of EE, ME, or Comp Sci.</p>

<p>Considerations:
-I have tons of college credit (will have 75 hours by end of year). UT Austin takes 100%, UC San Diego takes almost all of my credits, and I am not certain that CMU will take my credits.
-I love programming and electronics but the bioengineering courses at UCSD seem to emphasize biology/chemistry/medicine much more than programming or electronics.
-The scientists who research at the MIT Media Lab or who engineer prosthetics at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (two institutions that hit what I want to do on the head) major primarily in bioengineering or mechanical engineering and a few major in electrical engineering and physics.
-I am very interested in robotics or neuroscience research and I am not sure about the research opportunities at each school for undergraduates.
-My current plan is to be put on the Priority Waitlist for CS at CMU. While I'm waiting to hear back, I'll decide where I would like to go out of UT or UCSD.</p>

<p>Your thoughts?</p>

2

<p>Depends on how your financial situation is. If you can take the hit for CMU without causing major deflation of your parent's wallet's, go for it. It's a great private school for engineering. However, there are not a lot of hot girls there as guys who go there tell me. I do not believe UCSD is a good deal for out-of-state, even if it is bioengineering. In the end, if CMU is too expensive, UT is just way too good of a deal to pass up. Plus, the engineering school is pretty great.</p>

3

<p>If you can go to CMU go, but if not I would go to UT. But damn dude, you have your life plan already huh. Its like a resume.</p>

4

<p>go to UT--</p>

<p>CM will have ure ass in debt--unless you're rich or receive a major scholarship</p>

5

<p>Yeah I've definitely looked into this. I just found out what I want to do, which led to what degree I should pursue, which led me to where I want to go. It's pretty detailed but it helps to have this stuff written down and posted so you guys can help.</p>

<p>Thanks BTW</p>