<p>Theoretical Question: MIT and UC Davis. One the top tier of engineering and cream of the crop. The other, not a bad engineering school, definitely still pretty good ( ranked 34 by US News for undergrad engineering ) but it’s certainly no MIT. </p>
<p>Of course there are other factors to be taken in, but for the question’s sake, lets say there’s one Student A, who goes to MIT, passes all his classes but not with flying colors, he skates by, doing only what he needs to do. On the other hand there’s Student B who is at the top of his classes at UC Davis and gets some great internships. - So who gets better job prospects?</p>
<p>My reason for asking this question is a couple concerns. If one day I were lucky enough to be admitted to MIT, I would be concerned about grade deflation there ( which is more deflated compared to most schools ). I’d be concerned that I would have trouble finding good job prospects if I struggled and my GPA was low. I’m also wondering when finding a well-paying good job, whats the most important: Good Internships…Prestige of Engineering Program at College… or GPA at that college</p>
<p>Whichever one has more work experience. If you’re just an average nobody at MIT, that’s good but no one knows how you would perform outside of a classroom environment (and your transcript would only show that you aren’t even a star in a classroom environment). It is much better to be a star at your school and have great work experience than to go to a higher ranked school but do nothing worth talking about.</p>
<p>The point of going to a higher ranked school is that they presumably have a more rigorous program, great professors in your field, and great opportunities for you to pursue outside of the classroom. This may not be true, however, and if it isn’t for the particular schools that you would be looking at, it wouldn’t be worth going to a higher ranked (and potentially more expensive) program.</p>
<p>Definitely better to graduate at the top of a weaker school. That’s about equivalent to being slightly above average at MIT.</p>
<p>However, here’s a little bit of advice that you may or may not have heard: for the best students, their success is not determined by the prestige or the strength of their school. They are good enough to find their own way. Prestige is far more important for weaker students who actually need that windfall.</p>
<p>What looks more impressive: being at the best school in the world and having one internship (you very well may not have time for more), or being one of the best at a decent school and doing all sorts of useful activities (internships, relevant clubs, research, work)? More importantly, is there an obvious answer to this question? If not, save your money and go to the cheaper school.</p>
<p>Why would grade deflation across the board result in you finishing in the bottom of the class? Class rank is a comparison versus other students who also have deflated grades. Low rank would indicate that you’re a poor student compared to your classmates, not that the grades are tougher to earn.</p>
<p>Now, if you’re just doing badly at MIT, who would get better job prospects? Those who finished at the top of their class at MIT (even if their GPA is lower than Davis), or those who finished at the top of their class at UC Davis?</p>
<p>You WILL have to compete against those who did well at MIT in the real world.</p>
<p>Whom would you want to hire for your own company: 1) a slacker student from a prestigious university, or 2) a self motivated high achiever from a quality big state U engineering program? If you chose #1 then good luck. #2 is a proven success and low risk hire.</p>