<p>Monydad summoned me. I sometimes have an outspoken opinion on this stuff. </p>
<p>These are two very different schools. </p>
<p>I think UCLA is more rigorous, has a higher faculty quality, and is generally considered a top engineering school. </p>
<p>Tufts has a “more global” perspective. They will tell you that they are not hardcore. It’s a little different education. Frankly, from what I’ve seen, Tufts graduates would do well to go to graduate school. Some of the one’s I’ve interviewed really weren’t ready to work as engineers with just a BS. Some of it was attitude (not that hungry), some of it was that they didn’t do well in the technical part of our interview. I get the sense that it’s not as challenging as some of the hardcore places like UCLA. Many will go on to business school and be technology leaders. It definitely has more of the qualities of a liberal arts education. This could eventually be really good. It’s not a bad road to take, but it’s a bit unconventional. </p>
<p>if you go to UCLA, you will have no trouble getting a job back east if you do well at UCLA. We don’t recruit there because January in Boston is a hard sell in southern California. You would actually have to apply for jobs back east. But you will be noticed. Everyone knows UCLA produces some talented engineers. </p>
<p>I spent a week at UCLA and one thing I really noticed, and how could one not notice, is that everybody looks fantastic. The gym was always full (they have windows). People seem to put a lot more into their appearances than they do around Boston. Maybe it’s because Hollywood is nearby, I don’t know. If you can keep from getting too distracted, and concentrate, it could be really a good education. </p>