Is there a big difference between these universities?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello
I am an international student(mechanical engineering) and i want to apply for Us universities for Phd position, the point is my chance for going to MIT, Berkley and Caltech is not high but after that i have a good chance.I just want to know is there any big and vast difference between the universities of group 1 and group 2?</p>

<p>group 1:MIT, Berkley and Caltech
group 2: Georgiatech ,Minnesota Twin Cities,Northwestern,California San diego ,Illinois Urbana,Cornell,Purdue</p>

<p>is the difference so big that i must try my chance for the first group while i know i do not have a high chance?(cause i have money problem i can’t apply for a lot of universities and i must choose about 7 universities to apply)
thanks</p>

2

<p>Difference in what? Regardless of any rankings you may see, MIT and CalTech are considered the top two engineering undergrad and grad schools in the nation. But that does not mean the others are disregarded. Unlike some countries, where if you do not go to one or two particular schools you will be forever relegated to being a second class citizen, it does not work that way here. All the schools you mention have top programs, and you could easily add many more to the list and if you attend one them you will do just fine as long as you have the drive and ability for it.</p>