well rounded schools

<p>Do you guys know what are the best well rounded(good in most majors) universities in the US?</p>

<p>Cornell U. for one.</p>

<p>If by well rounded, you mean strong in most academic areas for undergrads, I would say that applies to most any non-specialized college or university. </p>

<p>If by well rounded, you want engineering included, too, then OK, eliminate major colleges, like Harvard, that don't have engineering. </p>

<p>I realize from your location that you may not be that familiar with colleges here. Let me say that general academic reputation seems to track the quality of individual departments. By that, I mean that a place with a good reputation for academics generally will not tolerate a substandard department in any field. They will either beef it up or dump it.</p>

<p>These boards have endless debates about "who is the best in ___". IMHO, for undergrads, such debates are a waste of time. Few undergrads tap out the resources available. Even more likely is a change in major, so that "best" department suddenly becomes irrelevant.</p>

<p>So, Petros, I think your question is a good one, and one that can be easily answered. Look for places that offer what you yourself want, that fit you personally, and that you can gain admissions to. Then you've found YOUR "Best".</p>

<p>Most large state universities are well-rounded. Among the best ones are (in no particular order)</p>

<ul>
<li>University of California Berkeley/Los Angeles</li>
<li>University of Virginia</li>
<li>University of Michigan</li>
<li>University of Wisconsin</li>
<li>University of Colorado</li>
<li>University of Texas</li>
<li>University of Washington</li>
</ul>

<p>
[quote]
Most large state universities are well-rounded.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>There really isn't a good reason to exclude any of the UC campuses, except San Francisco. </p>

<p>University of Illinios U-C
Georgia Tech
University of North Carolina</p>

<p>Actually Harvard has an engineering division which is in the process of turning itself into a school: <a href="http://www.deas.harvard.edu/press/release.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.deas.harvard.edu/press/release.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Really - it's much easier to ask which colleges aren't well rounded.</p>

<p>Mathmom,</p>

<p>Harvard's DEAS has been around for a long time, and the U has rather struggled with what to do with it. It is a long way from a full engineering program, which is why that new upstart down Mass Ave. get so much more attention. </p>

<p>Right now, it offers programs in applied math, computer science and what they call "engineering sciences". Hardly a classical engineering program. But heck, they're trying.</p>

<p>"It is a long way from a full engineering program, which is why that new upstart down Mass Ave. get so much more attention.
"</p>

<p>Oh I'm aware of that, that's why ds's first choice is that upstart downstream and not my alma mater. :) </p>

<p>But for an undecided kid - a place like Harvard wouldn't be the end of the world. I admit you might have to attend grad school to be a hardcore engineer, however I suspect that it's relatively rare for a kid to realize half way through college that's what they want. I think you'd be okay if your interest was more in applied math or computer science.</p>