Zachery
What are some top schools for engineering?
I have been looking into colleges and I just want to know from person thought. #engineering
3 answers
Andrew Tran
Andrew’s Answer
Berkeley, David and Standford is really good Engineering college but their school taught majorly on the engineering aspect and loose on the management aspect.
This makes candidates from those schools higher on the hiring list (Genentech's favourite is Berkeley' students over SJSU's for example).
However, SJSU is better for having Engineer in management aspect so they have a hard time competing for Entry Level jobs but easily climb up the ladder after that than others schools'.
In addition, if you through an issue to 2 students from Berkeley and SJSU (assume they are both good at their job), the Berkeley one will have the solution very fast. But if the issue does not have any clue then the SJSU one will have a better idea where to look to find the issue and solve it.
Rich Woynicz
Rich’s Answer
I would suggest you focus less on "the best" engineering schools, and more of what engineering you want to do and what opportunities each school has for that and for your education beyond engineering. As an undergraduate in engineering - frankly you will take many basic enginering classes the first 3 years. Nearly every engineering school will teach the same types of basic classes.
Not until your later years do you specialize more in your field. Many state and larger universities offer great engineering progams - and a cost effective price (e.g. I was a Virginia Tech BSEE and MS SE). More and more studies show that "best schools" don't always produce the best persons/engineers. Its what you do with it afterwards that impacts more your carreer and salary. Do look at what research the schools offer - for example VT was very involved in fiber optic sensors and radio systems (the precursor to our cellphones). As an undergrad, you can get involved in some of these research projects to learn something more than just class work. Look at the school's info on what research they are doing - things that excite you so you may get involved in those projects in your later years as undergrad.
Consider also that being an engineer is more than math and science. You need to think creatively - and that could include involvedment and classes in the arts - art, music, reading/writing, band, drama.... they all help nurture your creativily. Take classes in techincal writing, public speaking ... all things that engineers need to "sell their ideas" to others.
Rich recommends the following next steps:
Taylor Zhao
Taylor’s Answer
So according to US News, here are the top schools:
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering
But it depends on many factors such as cost, student organizations, school culture, job opportunities, distance, etc. etc. I think the most important things to evaluate is cost and school culture. You will really hate your experience if these two aren't met. As long as your school is around top 50, it should be okay. You can also choose schools based on research. If there is a particular professor you want to research with, try going there.
I can tell you from experience going to a lower tier school or just a regular state college won't hurt your chances. I've met plenty of students who have secured jobs at top companies who don't attend the top private colleges. So I wouldn't be too worried about ranks since its so arbitrary. Just try to attend a college that's decent and that you love the culture/student life.
Good luck with your decision!
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