<p>I've applied to yale's engineering school. Yale isn't really known for engineering, right?
Does that make it easier or harder to get in?</p>
<p>Let me preface what I'm about to say by saying that I could be completely wrong about this, so take it with a grain of salt. I applied to Harvard regular decision as intending to study engineering, and I got a likely letter in february. Harvard, other top tier schools, and the US in general have all been very outspoken about placing a greater emphasis on physical sciences and engineering in particular. This is mostly due to the fact that foreign countries, such as India, Japan, and China, are churning out engineers at a much higher rate than the US. I can't speak for Yale's initiative, but Harvard has publicly stated that it is going to dedicate some exorbitant sum of money towards their physical science and engineering departments (but then again, what department at Harvard ISN'T having an exorbitant amount of money directed its way). Consequently, Harvard most likely was looking for top math/science people that still fit the Harvard "criteria" in this year's round of admissions. I would like to think that i was one of those people, but, regardless, I would say that if you were a qualified candidate anyway, stating that you intended to study engineering may act as a "tip factor".</p>
<p>I applied as an engineering major as well, deferred Yale EA, no likely letters from anywhere RD, so yeah. :(</p>
<p>Yale has a good entineering program. That said, it doesn't change anything about your application.</p>
<p>Engineering at Yale is an interesting experience, from what I know from friends. (I go to school @ yale, ftr) They are smaller programs, much more focused. While you don't have the unversity giving its strongest emphasis to engineering, it provides a great amount of funds and in general, does a good job of keeping its program relevant and amongst the leaders.</p>
<p>It's a top 25 program in the country. But you'll be at the #1 undergraduate experience :)</p>
<p>Was the previous post allowed? Isn't kind of advertising a random school. Regardless, Yale although not reputable for engineering does have some of the best facilities in the country. Also the professors are extremely dedicated to teaching their subjects and since the programs are so small there are numerous opportunities for research. You will undoubtedly have a great experience at Yale and you would learn just as much as you would at any institution.</p>
<p>Yale will provide you a great liberal arts education--- with that said, top engineers will not be coming from Yale (generally speaking). Ivy engineerings all suck though with the exception of Cornell and Princeton. Columbia's Fu is quickly moving up the rankings too. But I know at Princeton and Fu, these "engineers" suspiciously almost always end up on Wall Street.</p>
<p>How is Yale Biology? What percent of the student body majors in biology? Are biology majors looked down upon or anything?</p>
<p>Yale is very strong in biology, definitely one of the very best schools in the country. I don't know what percentage of students major in biology (you could probably find it just as easily as me by searching the yale website), but they certainly aren't looked down on, nor is there any reason anyone would look down on them.</p>
<p>How does a school like Yale compare to Caltech for physics (or engineering). Particularly in quality of teaching and research opportunities. (I'm deciding between the two, and this is a big factor for me)</p>
<p>In terms of quality, Yale and Caltech have the top undergrad science & engineering programs in the country. </p>
<p>The only reason they aren't ranked highly in every ranking (especially USNWR) is because those rankings are based almost entirely on program size. Yale and Caltech are smaller schools, so they have fewer students and fewer faculty. The reason they are ranked lower is the reason why Walmart is better known than Saks Fifth Avenue, even though Walmart isn't anywhere nearly as good.</p>
<p>In the Chronicle of Higher Education 2007 ranking, which is based on program quality (not quantity), Yale is actually ranked the #1 school in the country in engineering -- just above places like Caltech and Stanford.</p>
<p>That Yale engineering is not as strong is a myth perpetuated by anti-Yale trolls. Even at the graduate level, Yale is just as strong, it's just that there are fewer research groups to choose from when deciding what mentor you want to give you your Ph.D. But most grad students know who that will be even before they apply, which is part of the reason why the vast majority of students who apply for engineering Ph.D.'s at Yale choose to go there.</p>
<p>Could you please provide a link to the CHE source, posterX?</p>
<p>For overall engineering rankings, this is the best source:</p>
<p>(Yale #1 in the country, above Caltech, Stanford, etc.)</p>
<p>Overall Chronicle figures are closely related to the above, as they are from the same ISI source. They are not available online but as a subset, you can view these-- Yale is #3 in mechanical engineering and #4 in electrical engineering, which is where most people major.
<a href="http://chronicle.com/stats/productivity/page.php?primary=5&secondary=51&bycat=Go%5B/url%5D">http://chronicle.com/stats/productivity/page.php?primary=5&secondary=51&bycat=Go</a>
<a href="http://chronicle.com/stats/productivity/page.php?primary=5&secondary=50&bycat=Go%5B/url%5D">http://chronicle.com/stats/productivity/page.php?primary=5&secondary=50&bycat=Go</a></p>
<p>Thanks...how are rankings devised exactly? It seems to me that it is based on literature citations and published papers...which is odd considering the fact that Yale engineering is ranked highly but is all a small program.</p>
<p>Besides that, it seems based more on faculty productivity rather than other factors in undergraduate/graduate programs...</p>
<p>Quantity does not equal quality.</p>