<p>I'm trying to decide between these three schools right now, and any input or experience would be much appreciated, especially as it applies to student life, academics (planning on being a chemical engineering major with a minor in some business-related field), national reputations among grad schools and employers, and the overall feel of the schools. I'm a Rodman scholar at UVa and a Trustee scholar at USC, but I'd rather money be left out of this for now.</p>
<p>I am a huge Vandy fan, but I think UVa is the best choice here.</p>
<p>One of my kids is an engineering grad from UVa. Loved his time there and he and his friends had no problem getting good jobs. Rodman has no money attached unless that has changed. Vanderbilt and USC also are great schools and I’m sure you would have good opportunities from any of the 3 you are considering. I would go with fit,location, cost,etc.</p>
<p>UVa’s engineering department is pretty mediocre; it is the school’s weakest program. I wouldn’t go there unless in-state.</p>
<p>I would personally choose Vanderbilt with everything else equal.</p>
<p>SupremeHapa, UVa’s program is well regarded and some kids go into consulting. There is no problem with recruiting and the combination of good academics and good people skills is appealing to many employers. UVa and Vanderbilt probably have a more similar vibe to each other than either has to USC. Any of these 3 schools would be fine.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s mediocre, UVa has a pretty good engineering department.</p>
<p>Hmm I would eliminate USC off the bat.</p>
<p>Neither school is very well-known for engineering. I agree UVa and Vanderbilt have a similar feel. If in-state, I would definitely choose UVa. Otherwise, I suggest you visit both schools and make your decision based on fit.</p>
<p>I think UVA and Vandy are comparable, but if you throw Rodman into the mix, UVA now gets the edge, IMO. I agree with Sevmom, though…all three are great, and you can’t go wrong with whatever decision you make.</p>
<p>USC is going to have a very different social “feel” than either of the other two colleges, because of the incredibly diverse student body [whites make up a minority of students] and because it is in sunny “laid back” Calif. So you may want to base your decision on where your best post grad engineering opportunities might be or where you want to live after college. USC has a huge, loyal network of alums who actively support grads in job placement in Calif. And USC is growing its endowment by leaps and bounds- they have received over 3 Billion dollars from donors over the past 3 years alone. They are pouring money into UG programs, such as Engineering and the sciences and are building all over campus. It is a very exciting time to be at USC!
DS also was a trustee scholar, and USC was the financial no-brainer for him- even though he was accepted at 2 Ivys and 8 more “highly ranked” U’s.
He loved the intense Honors science and Thematic Options Honors Humanities classes and the students he met in those classes, was able to do paid research each summer, was accepted at every grad school he applied to- [doesn’t hurt to have "Trustee Scholar on an application] and is now getting his PhD at Caltech.</p>
<p>Sounds like Trustee Scholar at USC is a great deal for anyone that needs to consider finances(like most kids and families). Good luck with the decision- 3 great choices.</p>
<p>id pick stanford</p>
<p>Actually i pick usc, university of south carolina has a great reputation in the chemical engineering field.</p>
<p>USC is building and already has a much stronger engineering school than the others. </p>
<p>UVa review of its eng school:</p>
<p>Of the core departments, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering and<br>
Materials Science and Engineering show a great deal of dynamism and are frustrated by<br>
their continued low ranking. The other three all show serious weaknesses that call for<br>
early attention. Biomedical and Materials are both doing well and enjoy relatively high<br>
rankings. Systems and Information Engineering shows a good deal of vitality, but<br>
probably because of its somewhat unusual name is unranked.<br>
There are several characteristics of SEAS that are quite pronounced. First, there is a<br>
strong correlation between newness and quality. Second, there is very wide disparity in<br>
quality among the departments, more so than in most engineering schools. Third, several<br>
topics are covered by multiple departments, sometimes more than two. Finally, SEAS is<br>
small and broad at the same time. Each of these is potentially a problem and an<br>
opportunity.<br>
The eight departments in the School fall naturally into three groups. The three<br>
departments in newer areas: BME, MSE and SIE are energetic and high quality<br>
departments that are performing very well. CS and ECE are making some progress in<br>
breaking out of the pack. Both are ranked at the bottom of the top third among peer<br>
departments, an acceptable place. These 5 departments can be the hallmark of SEAS.<br>
All, especially BME, SIE and CS require growth in faculties and graduate students and<br>
need to be given funding and resource priority.</p>
<p>USC for chemical engineering. Unless in-state for UVA.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. I’m out of state, just so you guys know.</p>
<p>barrons, when you say there is correlation between newness and quality, are you saying that the SEAS suffers from a lack of experience? Also where would you say ChemE stands among the different qualities of departments? It sounds like what you’re saying is that SEAS is very interdisciplinary. Also, I’m wondering how wide of a scope of post-undergrad opportunities graduating as a Rodman scholar would bring me.</p>
<p>Another difference between these schools is the differences between physical campuses. While UVA and Vanderbilt have that “classic” college campus feel, while USC has a great campus, I get the sense that much of campus activity is lost to the surrounding city. Is that accurate?</p>
<p>I did not say that, the UVa retained highered consultants said that. All the campuses are nice. UVa and VU are in nicer neighborhoods</p>
<p>Where did you find that review?</p>
<p>USC has the best engineering program out of this group by far, easy choice IMHO.</p>
<p>OMG. I agree with goldenboy…</p>
<p>UVa website.</p>
<p><a href=“http://media.gatewayva.com/cdp/pdf/WAG_Report.pdf[/url]”>http://media.gatewayva.com/cdp/pdf/WAG_Report.pdf</a></p>
<p>[Can</a> UVa compete in research- - The Daily Progress: News](<a href=“http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/article_ac37c794-6aa7-5d4e-b8f9-6c639bc84f0a.html]Can”>Can UVa compete in research-)</p>