WashU vs UIUC

collegekid1189 · 04-23-2008, 04:11 PM

I intend to study Computer Engineering and have narrowed my school selection down to WUSTL and UIUC. Judging by all of the rhetoric flying around these forums, the WUSTL Department of Engineering is in serious trouble. US News ranking for the engineering department are seriously suffering at the moment, not to mention the Dean controversy. However, the financial aide presented to me and the environment of WUSTL is VASTLY to that of UIUC. Which one of these schools will offer me a better outlook for my future? Is there anyone who can comment on the state of the Computer Engineering major in particular?

kelle · 04-23-2008, 04:59 PM

I was in the exact same situation last week. WashU gave me an AMAZING financial aid package; it ended up costing less than UIUC (which is strange, since I'm an in-state student).

I've heard from several different sources that most of the funds from WashU's engineering department are going to the biomedical & chemical engineering departments at the expense of the other engineering majors.

UIUC has a sound engineering program so you really can't go wrong by going there (unless you're not really into huge state schools).

collegekid1189 · 04-23-2008, 05:20 PM

Which school and department did you end up choosing, kelle? WashU also gave me an INCREDIBLE financial aide package, while UIUC gave me next to nill (I am also an in-state student). I would rather not go to one of the "you are one of 1,000,000 student schools," but I also do not want employers and graduate schools to look down upon me because I chose money and school prestige over UIUC's top five ranked program.

srunni · 04-23-2008, 07:19 PM

I think they're getting a new engineering dean, so things should be better. But if UIUC is ranked that high, it might be the better option.

collegekid1189 · 04-23-2008, 07:41 PM

The engineering department of UIUC is ranked very high, but the school in general is below that of WUSTL. I guess what I really want to know is if it would be better to go heavily into debt just to attend UIUC, or would WUSTL still provide me ample opportunity for my engineering future?

srunni · 04-23-2008, 08:41 PM

WashU is perfectly respectable - it's not like your resume will be scarred by going to WashU instead of UIUC. Moreover, if you decide to do something else in a few years, it is very easy to switch majors at WashU, and it may end up being in something that WashU is well known for.

kelle · 04-23-2008, 08:47 PM

I chose to go to WashU. Pretty much everyone told me not to, but I don't listen. One of the reasons was my interest in the I-CARES program. Finance was also a big part in making my decision (UIUC's financial aid seemed to totally disregard my family's EFC on FAFSA, which doesn't surprise me). WashU also seemed to have more research opportunities for undergrads.

Unfortunately I still don't know if I made the best choice... I was just notified of a scholarship I would have received from UIUC this morning, and a little part of me died. But I'll try to make the best of going to WashU.

nngmm · 04-23-2008, 09:15 PM

I would not go into ANY debt for UIUC over WUSTL.

collegekid1189 · 04-23-2008, 09:42 PM

kelle- I was also just informed of a scholarship form UIUC. They made a big, dramatic presentation about how only thirty or so freshman in my major receive merit based awards. Then they announced how much it was worth......wait for it......$1000 toward my first year only. I guess you will be seeing my shining face at WUSTL Computer Engineering then. kelle isn't the only fool on the planet

srunni · 04-23-2008, 10:24 PM

I'm double majoring in computer engineering and biomedical engineering, so I guess I'll be seeing you there

collegekid1189 · 04-24-2008, 03:49 PM

Good! It was going to be rough coming from a small town and not knowing anyone at WUSTL. Now I can officially say that I have spoken to two people who will be attending.

kelle · 04-24-2008, 03:58 PM

Awesome!!! It's great to know that I'm not the only one

.

Even if you didn't know anyone that was going to WashU, it would probably be easy to meet new people and make new friends because the students there are very open and friendly. WashU may not have an engineering school that is comparable with UIUC's but it's an amazing university nonetheless.

collegekid1189 · 04-24-2008, 04:47 PM

Weeelllll, I guess we can look at it this way: everyone who got into WUSTL engineering could get into UIUC, not everyone who got into UIUC engineering could have gotten into WUSTL.

Besides, the one on one attention we will receive in a small university environment, and the research opportunities available to undergrads could make all the difference. I only hope grad schools and employers feel the same way.

kelle · 04-25-2008, 10:30 PM

It's possible to get into great grad schools and work with decent companies from WashU. Undergrads have gone from WashU to places like Stanford and Berkeley...it's not easy, but it's possible.

As for job placement, one of the graduate students I talked to while I was down there a couple weeks ago said that he had a job set up with Microsoft after he graduates.

Then again, I've heard some not-so-great things about job/grad school placement, and these are only some specific examples. You should be fine if you do well & participate in some research, which is HUGE at WashU.