<p>tenishs / wolverette, and fish, I and OP share many thoughts, but you guys brought something useful to the table, something I(and probably OP too) didn’t know so well before</p>
<p>thanks for sharing! From watching the TV show <lost> is when I also learned how well is UMich respected :)</lost></p>
<p>I’m getting ready to apply to grad school in EE (I’m a Caltech undergrad). From what professors and grad students have told me, as well as what I’ve read, UMich is a fantastic place for EE. I’ve never even heard UPenn mentioned. I personally would pick UMich, hands down.</p>
<p>Thanks all. I am very appreciate about your suggestions and they are very helpful for me.
I think the answer is very clear.</p>
<p>sunneptune and Mr. Zoo- I am a Chinese-American student who was raised in the US. My grandparents who are still in China are both engineers- one mechanical and the other electrical. They are in their 80s and were among the top engineers to be trained before the Cultural Revolution really took hold- before the Great Leap Forward, etc. They have both worked in very high places in Chinese government agencies, have traveled the world after the Open Door Policy to visit with foreign engineers, and have written engineering textbooks that are commonly used in China. </p>
<p>They are retired now, but they have said that UMichigan is one of the best schools in the world for engineering. They have never mentioned UPenn as an engineering school- only that they failed to visit when they were in Philly because “all those American schools look the same on the outside anyway”. When I was considering graduate schools (I am going for biology), I told them on the phone that I was considering applying to Michigan (among other schools which included Harvard, etc). They ignored all the other schools, and told me that I should go to Michigan and switch my field to engineering. 
Of course I would never do this, but I hope it illustrates something to you about the reputation of Michigan to Chinese engineers who know what they’re talking about.</p>
<p>ymmit, Thank you. Your information is very helpful for me. Many people I consulted with are in business area, so maybe they speak highly of Upenn for the reason of Wharton and they want me to listen some Wharton classes in Upenn. They said that this will improve my ability both in EE and business area, but I think it is more important for me to find a job in EE area after graduation so I think Umich is a better choice for me.</p>
<p>I have similar problem. Here is what I posted in another forum</p>
<p>Hello I have been accepted from above mentioned programs (without funding).
About my background - International student talking half the tuition as the loan to fund the university.</p>
<p>UPenn : Pros: IVY. Well for any international student, ivy holds bigger attraction than for a domestic student irrespective of the program reputation.
It is in Philly, so better chances of internship (assumed).
Cons- no chances of funding, expensive</p>
<p>USC: Downtown LA, near silicon valley
better reputation that UPenn in CS and engineering field.
Cons- damn expensive, higher living cost</p>
<p>Penn State- Almost 20K cheaper than the rest of the two. Better chances of funding. Fairly reputed.
Cons - middle of nowhere, Not as reputed as rest of the two (generally).</p>
<p>**about reputation- i am just taking it as how people perceive and how they reacted to me. I know some rankings put Penn state eng/sci program higher than two. e.g arwu ranking</p>
<p>Most of my family member are giving me pressure to join Upenn because of the ivy. Where as I want to go Penn state ( i am not comfy with big loan). UPenn is my third choice after USC.</p>
<p>FYI - I do wanna work in US after my graduation.</p>
<p>I am kinda in dilemma. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I agree with ymmit. UMichigan isn’t that unheard in China. And I’m Chinese as well.</p>
<p>MaverickB
Is $$$ your biggest concern here? I’d not pick UPenn over the other two just because of its fame. Even if you do go back to China and work there, I think any of these three will serve you equally well back home. Hopefully others can add more to this.</p>
<p>sophy,
Thanks for the reply. Could you please elaborate, why wouldn’t you? As far as expenditure is concerned, USC would be more expensive than UPenn.</p>
<p>Thanks
Mav</p>
<p>I also want to add that, I want to do MBA from a top notch program in the future. Do taking couple of classes (with good standings) from Wharton would increase the chances of getting in Wharton after 3-5 yrs?</p>
<p>Maverick, if I were you, I would definitely attend USC or Penn State if you’re getting an engineering degree. Penn engineering is not first-rate.</p>
<p>tenisghs- I am getting MS is CS degree.</p>
<p>MS in CS**
Sorry for the typos.</p>