<p>Go to Chicago..
It is very well known both in the USA and internationally..</p>
<p>Very helpful for applying to grad schools or jobs..</p>
<p>if i were you, i'd pick u of c.</p>
<p>It seems like an overwhelming consensus: Chicago.</p>
<p>OK, thanks for your answers. Now forgive me for a few more questions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I wasn't clear about engineering. What I meant to ask was how set are you on engineering as opposed to another rigorous discipline such as physics?</p></li>
<li><p>Did you mind the size of the school or the quality of teaching at VaTech or UVA?</p></li>
<li><p>Have you been to Chicago or USC? If so, what were your impressions?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Redski:</p>
<p>Congrats on your acceptances. </p>
<p>We're from Fairfax County too, Annandale, the WT Woodson HS area. My son did not go to FCPS but to the Washington International School in Cleveland Park in DC. He's a second year film student at USC. He chose it over UVA, UNC, VT, Toronto, and FSU's film school. He's very happy there especially with the weather. There seems to be a number of students from the DC Metro area and more every year. </p>
<p>I'm sure you know that USC's engineering program is very highly regarded although it's stronger at the graduate level than undergad. BTW, USC is rolling in money and spending it on world class teachers and new buildings.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Both are good schools for Math/Science, and USC is probably 1/2 the price.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>AJK</p>
<p>So you're saying that Chicago is over $80,000 a year because as a Trojan Parent, I know that USC is over $40,000 a year.</p>
<p>ADad: You're forgiven.</p>
<p>Questions:
1. I wasn't clear about engineering. What I meant to ask was how set are you on engineering as opposed to another rigorous discipline such as physics?
2. Did you mind the size of the school or the quality of teaching at VaTech or UVA?
3. Have you been to Chicago or USC? If so, what were your impressions?</p>
<p>My Answers:
1. Well, I have a broad interest in different engineering related fields. I do have a strong interest in computers (not that I'm a geek), but I have built one for myself and have repaired computers for friends/family. Airplanes are a major interest for me; I guess you could call me an "Aviation Nut!" Building and designing airplanes is something that has interested me as a kid. And not just airplanes: I also am interested in designing other technological advances, such as cars, ships, trains, the next Deep Blue, etc. Now that I think of it, I really don't have as much of a genuine interest in Physics as I do in Engineering. I find the world of physics fascinating, but it really isn't something I'd pursue as a career.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I really don't mind the size of the school at VTech or UVa. It's the quality of the teaching. I know that both schools have excellent professors; but when do they actually teach and interact with their students as opposed to TAs doing the job for them? As I said earlier, UVa's Engineering facilities and classrooms are not the best I've seen; the equipment they've got is outdated, and I'm worried that budget cuts will prevent a renewal of the facilities within the next several years. That's the same worry I have for Virginia Tech; while their Engineering Dept. certainly receives more funding than UVa's, I still worry that there won't be enough funding for the most up-to-date equipment available for undergrads.</p></li>
<li><p>I have been to every single school that I applied to. I like USC's campus. Although I did go during the summer, there was plenty of activity around. The Viterbi School of Engineering was building a new facility (Tutor Hall) for Undergraduate studies when I was there, which I'm sure must have been completed by now. The Los Angeles weather is very nice and pleasant too. I did notice the smog, but I'm not that concerned about it. The campus has the nice open feeling, and it's not too cluttered with buildings. (Which I might add was NOT the feeling I had at Purdue) As for the surrounding areas, I did notice that, but at least during daytime it wasn't bad at all. I don't know how it is at night, though.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>As for Chicago, I went there last winter, a few days after a major snowstorm hit the area. There was still some light snow falling when I took the campus tour, but I didn't mind that. It is very VERY cold there, but I can handle it if I have to. I liked their buildings, the gothic architecture, and again it is another open and uncluttered campus. The staff at the admissions office was very nice; since I went after I was accepted EA (and since there was very few other visitors), they were eager to talk to me and offer their prospectives. I even got to say hello to Ted O'Neill, the Dean of Admissions personally. The Chair of the History Dept at Chicago is a distant relative of mine; he met with me personally later and took me out to lunch at a nearby off-campus restaurant. Unlike USC, I never really saw anything bad with the immediate surrounding area; everyone seems to say that Hyde Park is a decent neighborhood.</p>
<p>tsdad:</p>
<p>Thanks for your comments. I'm at West Springfield, btw.</p>
<p>USC is having an admitted students reception in April (the 11th, I think). I do intend to go there and meet with the other admitted students in the area and see what the USC people have to say.</p>
<p>AJK:</p>
<p>I almost missed your post. Actually, I do intend on doing some graduate work, and I will admit that it will most likely NOT be Engineering, whether or not I do my undergrad in Engineering. One great thing that USC seems to have is a 4+1 program, where you get both your bachelor's and master's in Engineering in 5 years. (Vtech has this too, I'm aware of that)</p>
<p>While it would be 4-5 years away from now, I might be interested in pursuing an MBA or some other Master's degree in any field of interest.</p>
<p>BTW, USC and Chicago's tuition costs are quite similar. They both are around $40,000 w/ room and board. I don't have exact numbers, but they are on College Board's website.</p>
<p>Redski:</p>
<p>Last year my wife and I attended the reception as Trojan Parents to talk with students and parents about USC. Of course, I can't do that this year since I'm in Madison. If you have any USC-related questions feel free to e-mail me.</p>
<p>My wife and I attended the USC-VT football game at FedEx last August. About 10,000-15,000 USC supporters were there, but we were drowned out by the very loud 75,000 or so Hokie fans.</p>
<p>Thanks for your replies, I am enjoying our discussion.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>With your interests and abilities, you seem like an ideal candidate for engineering school. Why, then, would you still be considering Chicago?</p></li>
<li><p>Given your desire to ask a lot of questions in class, it would seem that the quality of teaching at USC would be a critical piece of information to have. As far as I know, Rose would meet your desires in that area.</p></li>
<li><p>While the quality of life at Rose might not be ideal, how much worse is it actually than at USC, and how important is that difference? Keep in mind that you only have to live at any college for four years, after that you are free to live anywhere or indeed, as you mentioned, to pursue graduate studies anywhere.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>i visited USC yesterday. I live in so cal, but I never visited. Go for USC, you can be social if you want to, or you can choose to study. The resources are there at any school, the parties are there, it just depends on you to decide. Don't worry about anything else. GO USC TROJANS!</p>
<p>USC IS SO BEAUTIFUL
plus</p>
<p>you cant beat the weather. I'm more of a balance of fun and academics, and afterall, having best COLLEGE EXPERIENCE is also important.</p>
<p>Go to Rose Hulman, you don't seem like the type of person who likes to socialize since you mentioned one of USC's con as partying.</p>
<p>In state UVA???? I would go there in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>ok, I need to clarify one major point here. I'm not anti-social!! What I meant by USC's con for Party school was the frat life. I don't want to get involved in greek life. I hope that clears up some things.</p>
<p>"In state UVA???? I would go there in a heartbeat."</p>
<p>I wouldn't for engineering. VaTech has a better engineering school than UVA.</p>
<p>only 1 in 5 people are in frats. If you don't want to be in a frat, don't......there's a lot of people who arent in it, and they're happy!</p>
<p>Don't tell your parents and H.S. girlfriend, but if you come to Southern California, it is unlikely you will ever want to live anywhere else.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for your help, everyone. I really appreciate it. When I make my decision, I'll let you all know.</p>