transfer107

My old school didn't have an engineering program and so far I got accepted to all of these programs as a junior transfer. Which one is the best? Obviously USC has the name compared to the others but Big 10 engineering is extremely good.

barrons

Obviously??--not so much. Maybe in football. USC has made great strides in building the academic side but they are still not quite there yet.
http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2011.html

Sam Lee

For ChemE and industry connection for chemE grads, Minn > or = Wisc >> USC

UCBChemEGrad

^ I tend to agree, however, what out-of-pocket costs are you looking at for these programs?

As I said in your thread on the SC forum, difference will largely be on-campus recruiting.

transfer107

25k for Wisconsin and 42k for USC but I'm pretty sure I can get USC lower via filling out the financial aid form or through the transfer merit scholarship. I live on the west coast so USC is definitely preferable in terms of location but which program is the strongest and will set me up better for grad school

UCBChemEGrad

If USC can match Wisconsin's offer, go ahead and take USC (if you want to remain in Socal). Just NOT through student loans!

Otherwise, I'd take the Wisky offer and not look back...great ChemE program and a fun, college city. Spread your wings a bit.

Minnesota not an option for you? If costs were similar between Minnesota and Wisconsin, I'd choose Wisconsin...seems like a more complete college experience to me.

barrons

Definitely

College Rankings 2011: Most Beautiful - The Daily Beast

Sam Lee

transfer107,

As I mentioned, UMinn and Wisc have long been ChemE powerhouses and have great connections with industry firms such as Dow. USC is not considered one of the top programs. I'd probably choose Wisc for its overall package - strength in chemE, general academic reputation, and typical college experience. But if you really want to stay in SoCal, it'd be USC then.

Here's the graduate ranking:
http://www.che.lehigh.edu/blog/NRC.pdf
This is actually one of the fields where graduate rankings do matter. Pharm, oil & gas, and chemical companies do like to actively recruit from top programs.

UCBChemEGrad

^ Sam, there are undergrad ChemE rankings:
Chemical | Rankings | US News

Sam Lee

^they are essentially the same thing as USN grad rankings as both are based on peer assessment

transfer107

Minny is offering me 16k as opposed to 22k for Wisconsin. I'm fine with spending the extra 6k and going to Wisconsin just because of the benefits of going to a more nationally recognized school. What do you guys think about Minny vs Wisconsin?

barrons

Push for ChemE. Madison hands down for big-time college experience.

UCBChemEGrad

Imagine that! Academics think grad strength translates to undergrad strength... but that, along with PA is a taboo subject on these boards.

bclintonk

LOL. Homer comment.

Minnesota is nationally and internationally recognized as outstanding in ChemE and will easily give you as many, if not not more and better, career opportunities. Faced with that choice, I'd pocket the $6K difference in COA and go for Minny in a heartbeat. Wisconsin's a good school and Madison's a great college town, but there's a lot to be said for the Twin Cities urban experience. These are sme of the liveliest, most liveable cities in America.

UMTYMP student

Unless you dislike urban locations I would choose Minnesota due to the equal academics [better at ChemE slightly worse overall] and cheaper cost.