How much is an UG degree worth?

foilist
Sat, 04 Apr 2015 19:06:41 +0000

Ok, I hate repeating myself so this will be my last post in this thread.

(I speak as a graduate of a Top 10 EECS school in the early 90’s who lives in the Bay Area.) I must emphasize again that Cal EECS is an ELITE school for both EE and CS. IF you study hard and graduate with a good GPA, job offers from Silicon Valley are there for the picking. Hardware? Apple, Intel and the most of the US semiconductor industry is here. Software? There’s Google, FB, Oracle and tons of startups. Your roommate (or YOU) might even turn out to be a CEO of a startup.

At Cal, the networking is there to be had. Intern in Silicon Valley/SF every summer if you want. Doors will be open when you graduate. There is no recession here in the Bay Area for engineers. But only if YOU remain focused and committed and apply yourself to get that degree.

You probably know all this. Your parents probably know this because they’ve already said they’re willing to go into debt because they believe in you. The question is, why the hesitation? IF you’re ready to work your ass off at one the best EECS schools in the world, just go take your parents’ gift and DO it. Are you UP for it? That’s the question you have to ask of yourself.

(Work a bit after you graduate. You’ll probably be able to pay them off i(n 5 years or less on an $80-90K salary assuming you’re frugal enough. Then go back into grad school if you really want that Ph. D. Although honestly, there’s a good chance you won’t want to as you’re already making too much money.)