<p>So as of right now I am interested in engineering, although that may change in the future. I got into Purdue for mechanical engineering and UIUC division of general studies undeclared. UIUC's engineering is better than Purdue. How hard is it to transfer into UIUC's college of engineer (any major in engineering not just mechanical)? I don't know if I should take a chance in going to UIUC or play it safe with Purdue. I heard that transferring into any engineering major at UIUC from general studies is extremely hard but I kind of want to see if I'm up to the task (not saying that Purdue is a bad engineering school, just that UIUC's is better).</p>
<p>How, exactly, did you get the notion that UIUC’s engineering program is “better” for the particular branch of engineering you intend to pursue, and by just exactly how much?</p>
<p>Engineering majors are often very difficult to finish in only four years because of the tight course sequences. Many good students find that they need an extra semester, summer session, or year in order to complete their programs. Transferring into engineering majors us usually very difficult, and because of the scheduling generally means that those transfers need an additional year to finish up. Are your parents ready, willing, and able to shell out for an extra year or two just for a UIUC degree? </p>
<p>If UIUC is an absolute must, and you are an Illinois resident, find out which community colleges in Illinois have formal articulation agreements with the engineering program that you want at UIUC, and complete one of those programs. Your admission to engineering will be guaranteed, and you will save a boatload of money.</p>
<p>" UIUC’s engineering is better than Purdue."</p>
<p>That’s an incorrect statement. Both are on the same level. Choose the in-state one. If both are out of state, choose the college that costs less i.e the college that gave you some money. If neither college gave you money and you need to pay full tuition, then play safe and choose Purdue University. </p>
<p>I have no idea how hard it is to transfer but my guess would be that you have to maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA></p>
<p>Purdue has a great engineering program. And there is absolutely no assurance that you will be able to transfer into engineering at UIUC, in fact it sounds like a bit of a longshot. I know too many kids who went to a school and then couldn’t get into the program they wanted (be it business or engineering) and it was never a happy scenario. If you want to be an engineer, going to Purdue is not playing it safe, it is playing it smart.</p>
<p>I live in Illinois so in state for UIUC but out of state for Purdue. So if i choose the in state one, that would be UIUC. I found rankings for engineering schools by searching on google and found websites like US news. From what I found, UIUC is ranked around 5th and Purdue around 10th. I’m not exactly sure whether it makes a big difference though.</p>
<p>The difference between a 5th and 10th ranked school is not important. The fact is if you do well at either school you will be in great shape. I would guess that it is extremely hard to transfer into an engineering program as engineers generally start off taking certain classes in the first semester of their freshman year. Much of the work/courses are sequential so it would be difficult to transfer into an engineering program and still graduate on time. I’d go to Purdue without a doubt if you can afford the OOS tuition. There is no guarantee you can study engineering as an undergrad otherwise.</p>
<p>Talk with your parents about the money. Is that high out-of-state tuition OK with them? UIUC isn’t the only place in Illinois where you can study engineering. Provided the program you graduate from is accredited by ABET, it barely matters where you study.</p>