<p>I have been accepted for Engineering to Vanderbilt and University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. I just can't decide between the 2 of them.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt University
ADVANTAGES
1) Overall ranked 18.
2) Really good weather.
3) Professors are well qualified
4) Small school (compared to UIUC) and better student to faculty ratio(9:1).
5) Better research facilities with a lot of emphasis on Robotics which is my area of interest.
6) I am thinking of either double majoring but haven't decided with what as yet as I do not find any other undergraduate program really appealing in Vanderbilt......currently thinking of BME or EE or Computer science but don't know.
7) I am interested in pursuing MBA after my undergraduate after getting some work experience. So Vanderbilt has a better Business program than UIUC which will help me in the long run.
8) Location Tennessee</p>
<p>DISADVANTAGES
1) Comparatively higher fees. But a scholarship of even 3000 - 5000 would make things even.
2) Not that great for engineering - Ranked 40+.
3) PR mentions that it has "Little Race/Class Interaction".</p>
<p>I was wondering if they had any kind of undergraduate minor relating to business, economic, accountancy, finance etc.. Also I could not find any information about Vanderbilt's employment information about their engineering programs. </p>
<p>UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS - URBANA CHAMPAIGN
ADVANTAGES
1) Overall Engineering ranked 4th.
2) Mechanical Engineering ranked 4th
3) Comparatively cheaper fees by around $5,000.
4) More social as it has a higher population.
5) Double majoring in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering as they have very similar courses. Also interested in pursuing a minor in Physics due the similarity in the courses.</p>
<p>DISADVANTAGES
1) Too huge a school and I don't want to feel like a number.
2) Too cold. Not the kind of weather I am used to growing up in UAE.
3) Student to faculty ratio is (17:1).
4) Research facilities not really comparable to Vanderbilt University.</p>
<p>So it is a stalemate. Vandy is better overall but UIUC is WAY better in its engineering and this is what makes me still think about UIUC. But if I do anything out of Engineering then Vandy is a better bet.
Plus the fees of an extra $5,000 - $6,000 makes it difficult. It's not like my dad can't pay but then he will then have to put in all his savings and I want him to enjoy the fruits of his labor and not put it all on my education :D.</p>
<p>Just my two cents. (I'm an old geezer with a physics undergrad and MBA)Both schools will give you a great education and you will be succesful as a graduate from either one. So here is one something to consider: technical people hire technical people, and business people hire business people.</p>
<p>Get the engineering degree at UIUC (or other top engineering school) and the MBA from Vandy (or other top business school). </p>
<p>When you are looking for the first technical job,chances are UIUC's name will take you further. The hiring managers (who will likely be engineers themselves) will know the school, and companies will have more exposure to previous graduates (it's just a numbers deal, UIUC has more engineering graduates, so its more likely you will run into one of them). Your resume will more easily make it to the top of the pile, you'll more likely get the interview, and more likley have a connection with the hiring manager. All good.</p>
<p>When its time to turn to business, choose Vandy, or another top level business school. Then your resume will shine with a technical degree from one of the best engineering schools, and a business degree from one of the best business schools. For some reason, companies love MBA's with engineering undergrad degrees. So the business level hiring manager should be impressed by both school choices.</p>
<p>But from there, it is all up to you. </p>
<p>Good luck, I'm certain you will do great at either school.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the detailed reply Desmodad. </p>
<p>It was really informative. My dad told me to take the same option....but then as children we tend to listen to everyone except our parents :D...and that is the fun of life. Now that it comes from someone else it suddenly seems a better option :D.</p>
<p>I think Desmodad has some excellent suggestions. My son is in engineering at Vanderbilt and faced similar concerns. However, as long as the engineering programs at the schools you are considering are accredited, chances are that you'll get a good education at any of them. There is more to picking a school for the next four years than just looking at the rankings or the strength of the program and trying to predict who will likely hire you. The undergrad experience itself is really important in a young person's life, and I think it is most important that you go where you really want to be, considering the quality of life, student/faculty ratios, the engineering majors you are most interested in, and where you think you will best fit in, both socially and academically. If you haven't already done so, try to visit if at all possible. In the scheme of things, the tuition difference is minimal, so hopefully that alone won't be the deciding factor. Sounds like you have a good approach to determining the advantages/disadvantages of each.Good luck.</p>
<p>if you never want to see sunlight go to UIUC, otherwise go to vanderbilt.</p>
<p>the engineering rankings take into account sheer amount of publications, so with numbers in mind, vanderbilt is in the top 10 when compared to schools of similar size...but with that being said, uiuc is one of the best engineering schools period. i'd suggest you choose based on the type of atmosphere you want to be in rather than anything else. good luck</p>