Which school? I got accepted to them all!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Well, actually I almost got accepted to all my schools. Haven't heard from UVA yet, but I'm already settled on NOT going there for sure.</p>

<p>Anyway, I've gotten accepted to these schools and I'm not sure which one I should go to:</p>

<p>Rose-Hulman Institute of Tech.
PROS: #1 ranked Engineering school, small class sizes, professors that teach rather than research, no TAs, excellent facilities, I got $6000 scholarship, people seem nice in area
CONS: Small, sort of in the middle-of-nowhere in Indiana, Engineering is the only major (in case I wanted to switch), not diverse (I'm asian)</p>

<p>University of Chicago
PROS: prestigious academics, excellent profs, many well-known programs to choose from, diverse student body, located in large city, have family connections (well, that could be a con)
CONS: No engineering (prob. would do physics or Computer Sci instead), the core of required classes, Chicago's weather is very cold, a little too academically-oriented and lots of work (little time for social life)</p>

<p>University of Southern California
PROS: awesome SoCal weather, engineering program has newly-built facilities, another large city campus, very diverse student body, would be able to change majors if i wanted later, best football team
CONS: Party school? (I'd like a little social life, but don't want to be distracted from my academic work as well), area surrounding campus is not very good, TAs, dunno about profs and their commitment to teaching vs. research.</p>

<p>I also got accepted to Purdue and Virginia Tech, but I've already decided not to go to those school.</p>

<p>Any comments are appreciated. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Chicago is your school if you're up for the hardcore academics. plus, you get to (well, have to) explore different topics that you might find are your absolute loves</p>

3

<p>Well, like wondrlst's post implies, it really all depends on what you want out of your college experience. </p>

<p>If you want an extremely practical, well-taught engineering education with good ties to industry, Rose-Hulman is your best shot on the list by far. The professors are great, classes are small, and the community is very close and helpful (I'm a bit biased...I'm almost definitely going to Rose next year). Do remember that engineering grads CAN go into other fields besides engineering, for the engi degree shows great academic potential...some engies DO go on to earn MBA's or MD's.</p>

<p>If you want an extremely academic environment with an emphasis on depth and breadth, it sounds like U of Chicago is your best choice. Don't know much about the school, but it's got an excellent academic reputation.</p>

<p>If you'd like a great education with more soical opportunities outside the campus, check out USC. I know the least about USC, but it seems to me that those who go here are those who like a balanced life between academics and socializing. But don't take my word for that...I don't know a lot about USC.</p>

4

<p>who said SC was a party school? I mean yes if you really try to get out and do the whole frat thing, but other than that it really isn't that great a part of life here if you're not into that kinda thing. The campus on weekends are deserted so not much partying then, and weekdays only on thursdays but even then you have to be involved in the greek system or be a girl to go to most of their parties.</p>

5

<p>Chicago may be a lot of work, but Rose-Hulman will likely be even more because it is solely an engineering school (a workload that rivals MIT and CalTech). If you aren't absolutely convinced you want to do engineering, go to Chicago or USC; you really have to visit them to see which one you like more, as they are two very different atmospheres. It would be easier to transfer out of a Chicago or USC if you don't like the school/want to make a major switch since you'll have a much more varied course selection under your belt.</p>

6

<p>usc a party school? nah. you must have heard something different. i have a cousin who goes there, not that many parties. well University of Chicago is your college. excellent school.</p>

7

<p>Go To Chicago.</p>

<p>I live about 40 minutes from SC and most people in my school think SC blows because most kids there got in because of family income.</p>

<p>however, USC does have awesome alumni connections, so you might want to take that into consideration.</p>

<p>I don't know much about Rose-Hulman so I cannot reach a verdict on that.</p>

8

<p>USC! (i'm biased though hehe, since I'm also considering this school) </p>

<p>"CONS: Party school? (I'd like a little social life, but don't want to be distracted from my academic work as well), area surrounding campus is not very good, TAs, dunno about profs and their commitment to teaching vs. research." </p>

<p>omg the whole "bad area" thing is so overplayed. (i'm sorry, but i'd rather be in the ghettoes of beautiful and sunny LA than in the nice areas of some other states lol) the IMMEDIATE area surrounding it is bad (but not deathly.) go just a few miles away and you're in a nice place. it's so conveniently located you'd be minutes away from beaches, mountains, and the nicest parts of LA (lol like the UCLA area.) Plus: downtown LA is really cool and is starting to clean up and develop esp. around Staples Center where the Lakers, Clippers, and LA Kings (hockey, too bad though it's in a lockout) play---also where tons of concerts and other events are. that's a FIVE minute drive from SC. </p>

<p>SC does have a vibrant social life, but there seriously is room for everyone. one of my friends is not exactly a turtle, but isn't the most extroverted person ever, and very studious. she goes there (on full scholarship mind you,) and has fit right in. besides, SC can be a place where you can learn to BE more outgoing. isn't that important too? </p>

<p>yes the Trojan Alumni Network is super strong, and you will have a lot less trouble than most other college students even at "super top" universities in finding a job, esp. if you stay in California.</p>

<p>Overall, I've heard great things about the professors. I'm deciding between SC and UCLA and I keep hearing that one of the main differences is that at SC you get more individualized attention.</p>

<p>but anyways you should definitely visit.</p>

9

<p>Chicago is a great school and a good city to be in. You should note though that the university is NOT in the best part of the city.</p>

10

<p>Well, it depends. Academically, the workload at both Uchi and Rose is going to be enormous. USC, while a good school, really can't compare. USC is a good school, but if you're pretty sure about engineering, I would consider a school where you'll get more individual attention. If you're not sure about rose, I would go with Uchi though.</p>

11

<p>i think its a clear choice: CHICAGO!!</p>

12

<p>Ok, my fault thinking of USC as a party school. And I have visited the USC campus, pixiedanzer; however, it was during the summer, so I did miss out on the true campus atmosphere.</p>

13

<p>The profs at USC are definitely dedicated to teaching. I can count on my fingers the number of days one has been absent from class, and they are always available in office hours. They've all seemed to care about their students, and there have been some better, some worse, but I can't say I've had a BAD prof. I haven't been to UChicago to tell you whether the immediate area is better or worse than USC, but it sounds similar: it's far from the worst area in the city, but not as nice as the area of that school on the other side of the city. (UCLA/Northwestern) I can tell you as a whole city, I definitely prefer LA.</p>

14

<p>guys just remember, the best fit is more important than the most prestigious</p>

15

<p>USC. Chicago supposedly has the ugliest girls of any colege.</p>

16

<p>uglier than rice?</p>

17

<p>Hard to say which would be best for YOU without more information about YOU.</p>

<p>So, I have a few questions:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>How set are you on engineering?</p></li>
<li><p>Why did you rule out Purdue, UVA, and VaTech?</p></li>
<li><p>Describe your current school and town and how well you like them.</p></li>
</ol>

18

<p>Be glad to answer your questions, ADad. (Besides, I need a break from studying AP Biology!) Sorry that this is a bit long, though.</p>

<p>Questions:
1. How set are you on engineering?
2. Why did you rule out Purdue, UVA, and VaTech?
3. Describe your current school and town and how well you like them.</p>

<p>Answers:
1. I find myself more of a math and science oriented student. I still have some interest in liberal arts, but not completely. This year, I took regular Senior English at my school instead of what most Seniors take: AP English Literature. I hate Shakespeare! (No offense to any Shakespeareans out there) I honestly can't stand any of his writing and having to analyze writing style, blah blah blah. My only other Social Science class is AP Government, which is definitely my worst class too. I do enjoy history, but more as a hobby. As to Engineering, I am very comfortable in all my science and math classes this year (AP Physics B, AP Biology, AP Calculus BC, and Astronomy).</p>

<ol>
<li>Purdue had been on my mind as a possible choice for an Engineering school. But I changed my mind last week, in fact. I was on the campus last week and I really wasn't impressed with what I saw. To me, it seemed to be like a "mini-city" out in the middle of nowhere. Not that West Lafayette or Lafayette are small or limited, but it was just that I really wasn't that "WOWED" with their campus. We were there around the early afternoon; so many students were out and about. I thought there were just WAY TOO MANY students on that one campus; I wasn't surprised to see that on a Big Ten campus, though. The Engineering program may eventually get smaller as the years pass, but I have heard that TAs (with limited English proficiency) and very little interaction with Professors are very common at Purdue. I'm that type of student who asks a LOT of questions. I would certainly like to have a teacher who doesn't mind answering them and can give an answer that I can understand.</li>
</ol>

<p>Honestly, I'm trying to ignore the U.S. News rankings somewhat. (I mean USC is ranked 22 in Engineering, but I don't really care. Many of my friends have already decided to go to UVA's Engineering program, which is ranked 30) After my visit to Purdue, I went to Rose-Hulman where one of the professors was actually making comparisons between RH and "that huge Big Ten school up the Wabash River..." Many of his comparisons made sense; I find Rose-Hulman as a much better E-school than Purdue, IMO.</p>

<p>As for UVa, their Engineering program seems weak to me. I got a tour of their Engineering facilities last year, and when I compare them to Rose-Hulman or even Purdue and VTech, their facility is outdated and pathetic. I was also tired of continually hearing the references to the University's founder, Thomas Jefferson. I like Jefferson, but the University cannot keep "living in its past" and continually bringing up that "Mr. Jefferson would have done this....or Mr. Jefferson would have done that...." </p>

<p>The major issue with Virginia Tech (and this applies to UVA too) is that the state has been heavily cutting public funding for Virginia colleges and universities. Tuitions are on the rise, and yet these schools still depend on public funding. I'd rather go to a private school where there are no worries of a tight budget that is limiting such necessities as new faculty and refurbishing facilities, etc. I liked Tech and its campus, but I fear going where possibly two years from now tuitions will increase double-fold.</p>

<ol>
<li>I live in Fairfax County, which is part of the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. It's a heavily growing area that supposedly is the most expensive place to live in the United States. Personally, I have lived here my whole life and I am certainly ready to move out of the area. (This really upset my dad, who was hoping I'd go to his alma mater, Georgetown) My school is part of the Fairfax County Public School system. Yes, I do live in the area called "NOVA". Supposedly 1/3 of UVa's students are all from NOVA. Well, our schools are quite difficult in their curriculum and our grading scales are also held to a higher standard than most other schools in the country. Grade inflation is quite rare at least at my school. My school has sent quite a number of students to UVa and Ivy Leagues in the past.</li>
</ol>

<p>I hope that might help somewhat. Feel free to ask for more as you wish. And thanks for all your comments; I really appreciate your help.</p>

19

<p>For Physics, Chicago is the best school on your list. For engineering, either Rose-Hulman, Purdue, or Virginia Tech in that order.</p>

20

<p>are you going to be settled in an engineering degree, or do you think you might want to pursue a graduate degree eventually? Do you want to remain in the California area, or move around the country?</p>

<p>you seem more well-rounded of a person than a purely engineering school has to offer for you (not that i know much about u), plus if you want to eventually pursue a non-engineering graduate degree, it might count against you that you didn't get as great a foundation in other subjects as U.Chicago and USC has to offer.</p>

<p>USC is a widely respected university, but people east of the Mississippi are stuck up about their schools, and USC doesn't get nearly as much name-recognition as Chicago. Both are good schools for Math/Science, and USC is probably 1/2 the price (though i haven't looked up the tuition costs)</p>

<p>but long-term, nation-wide, perhaps even world-wide, Chicago may be a better investment in your future... if you base your decision strictly on academics and your future, I'd definitely pick Chicago.</p>

<p>But you have to weight if USC inexpensiveness is more important, proximity to your home/family is important, what your future goals are, and where in the nation/world you would eventually like to work. Sounds like waaaay to much to decide on when just entering college, i know, it sucks, but it really matters.</p>

<p>I went to a no-name-university in Texas, which is actually pretty decent, but has no prestige. I got amazing grades, two degrees, extracurricular activities, and all that good stuff. But when it came time to apply to graduate schools, I couldn't get into the "ivy-level" programs I wanted. Had I gone to one of the better schools that I got into in the beginning, i may not have had this problem.</p>

<p>Let me know if this helped at all, or if you have any questions.
goodluck.</p>