<p>Im planning on becoming an engineer and am looking at schools like CMU and RPI. While those are very academically rigorous schools, many people who go there say they are at times unhappy. The campus isn't the prettiest either in either one. I looked at URoch, and the social atmosphere seems great, the campus looks nice but the academics in engineering looks a bit behind. If I am looking to go to a top grad school, would it matter that I chose another college that isn't held as high as CMU/RPI etc? Also, am I being foolish in wanting more of the non academic aspect of a college?</p>
<p>Grad school admissions is based on overall GPA, GPA in the major, letters of recommendation, GRE Scores, and work/research/publications related to the major. People get into top grad schools from all kinds of colleges and universities. Engineering programs by their very nature are rigorous, do don’t worry about that. You will be with a smart hard-working bunch wherever you end up studying. Given that most engineering curricula are controlled by ABET, it really is fine to choose a place that is a better social fit for you. </p>
<p>You are smart to consider the non-academic aspect of college. You will be living and studying in that environment for four years (or more). You will be happier and do much better if you are in an environment that you like.</p>
<p>Since engineering courses are generally rigorous. Does it matter what your GPA is for grad school as long it’s above the average GPA for engineering? like 2.5?</p>
<p>From my son’s experience (not in STEM) the best thing you can do is pick a university that is highly regarded in your specific area of interest. This is difficult sometimes since interests in college often change. So I would check out the faculty (and where they went to school, if they are active publishing, research etc), and I would check out the statistics of the school (how many kids end up in good STEM grad programs etc).</p>
<p>The prestige of the school matters less than the prestige of the department. My son went to a school that was ranked mid-30s USNWR but ranked #4 in his major. He made awesome connections and had incredible mentorship and can apply with some confidence to the best grad schools if he chooses.</p>
<p>And I think you are very smart to consider the social and daily life aspects of college. Grad school can be all about the program but in undergrad the experience is incredibly important.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>The biggest determining factor in your success in grad school isn’t what undergraduate college you go to, it’s whether you put in the individual effort to prepare yourself for grad school while you’re there.</p>
<p>Engineering schools come in various “flavors”. If you think you would not like the atmosphere at the STEM-centric schools like RPI, then consider these other types of schools:
Liberal arts colleges that also have engineering - Bucknell, Lafayette, Union etc.
Universities that have engineering colleges - Tufts, U. Rochester (small-medium sized examples), GWU, BU, Northeastern, etc.
You want to go where you will be happy and do really well! So it is reasonable to consider the school’s atmosphere as well as the academics. Consider also if there are other academic areas that interest you. RPI for example doesn’t even have foreign language courses, unless that changed recently.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input guys. Its still likely I will end up choosing CMU/RPI (If I get accepted that is), but mentalities change and I might want something else in a college. I still have another 10 months before I start submitting apps :)</p>