<p>I was recently accepted to Washington University's engineering school. I've heard it's not that great, but I really, really, like the school itself. I'm still trying to decide whether the quality of education or the type of university is more important. </p>
<p>All the other schools I've been accepted to are public (UIUC, Purdue, Minnesota, Wisconsin), but my only concern is that these schools are way too big for me. </p>
<p>Are there any major disadvantages to going to a private university with a weaker engineering program? Are high-roller schools like MIT and CalTech less likely to accept graduate students from private universities with weaker engineering programs? </p>
<p>You'll end up with a good engineering education. Wash U is kind of like Rice or Johns Hopkins or something... Not as highly ranked by conventional sources, but they produce really good engineers. Every engineer I've known from WUSTL has ended up doing really cool things... I wouldn't worry about it. I think you'll find that the program isn't actually weaker, and if you really like the feel of the college, you'll have a much better time there than at a larger school that's better ranked.</p>
<p>I am about to graduate from WashU with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and I have been accepted to top 10 grad schools for my masters. If you work hard and succeed at WashU you should have no problem getting into top programs. Feel free to PM me with any questions.</p>
<p>As you probably know, those large public schools as listed in the OP are rated near the top in ChE, (along with UT-Austin and Univ. of Del. + Mich.). I too wonder what all they are offering to undergrads that justifies their rankings over so many of the lower rated private schools like Wash U, Vandy, Rice, USC, JHU, Univ. of Tulsa, etc.? </p>
<p>Perhaps it is more of a practical hands-on type of program with better labs and more faculty doing various research (due to larger size) but that is just a guess and I'd like to see what others think is giving these large publics the apparent advantage? </p>
<p>Back to Wash U, I believe I read that the Dean of Engineering is on her way out and they are searching for her replacement now. I would try and find out how that might be affecting the ChE department. I believe she rolled environmental into ChE and changed the department name recently and something didn't feel quite right the last time I was reading about it. Of course any uncertainty or apparent lack of direction was being brushing under the rug so it may be hard for a prospective student to get a sense of what might be going on within the department but I would be asking some questions.</p>
<p>I've met a ChemE professor from WashU. He was a really interesting, and his methods of instruction were very effective. I know thats not much to go on, but maybe it will help a little.</p>