Did I make a wise college choice?

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: erub
I'm going to Texas A&M University, while a state school, #14 in engineering. Recruiters are all over the place around here, and if I wanted to, I'm sure with my ~3.7 GPA in EE and extracurriculurs I could have received a very solid job offer..people I know are tossing around 55-60K with lesser GPAs, and most of these jobs are in TX. I'm trying to go to another STATE school for graduate school, being Georgia Tech. I don't think I should have any problem getting a job after graduating from there either.

Yes, I probably could have gone to at least some of the Ivys for undergrad, but I don't resent that decision at all. I have enough scholarships to cover my entire tuition bill..that 120-150K my parents saved on my education, they told me I can use for a business one day..

My sister, OTOH, went to Pomona College (very prestigious liberal arts college in CA) and my parents paid $$ for her education. She ended up at UT Medical Branch in Galveston for Medical School, sitting next to classmates who attended Texas A&M..my parents have since told me that they wished that they had saved the money on her undergrad

I actually could have gone to Texas A&M for more or less nothing, but I wanted to remain in the Northeast for my education.

Oh, my parents were very opposed to me going to an Ivy League, they didn't believe there was a superior education or opportunity but did know that Ivy Leagues were far more expensive. One of my parents didn't graduate high school however, and niether finished college, but through careful money management and investment they've become upper middle class. Their goal for me had always been to attend a state university with a full ride.

The valevictorian at my high school was always worked hard her entire life with the intentions that she would go to an Ivy League. She went to Yale with about $25,000/year in scholarships.

2nd in class rank at my high school was always told he could look foward to a job in hard labor. Thanks to his summers working at sewer plants and on the NJ highways, he learned he wanted better than that so he went to Rowan on a full ride as well. If he didn't have a full ride, he would have gone into the military.

3rd in class rank basically has the motto of "The world belongs to the hard working." He's not especially smart, but has always worked hard and participated in many extracurriculars, and is now going to Princeton for CS. (I wonder if I would have been accepted to Princeton if I had applied for CS instead of EE)

My best friend who was right above me in class rank was in a similar situation to me, except his family isn't as economically well to do. He's also going to Rowan on a full ride.

And then there was the kid two spots above me who was always taught that nothing matters in life except doing well in high school so that he'd get accepted into an Ivy League and earn prestige back in his home country. He basically became a complete recluse devoted to his studies in high school (math and science anyhow, he didn't care about liberal arts grades) and got accepted to all the top Ivys. He's now going to Seoul University for about $5000 a year for pre med. He says it is a superior school to any Ivy League, and if he hadn't gotten in he would have settled for MIT and a major in physics. (which actually suits his interests more, he's only doing pre-med because he feels it will bring him recognition and happiness)

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: ones3k

Originally posted by: imthebadguy
nah, potential for gettin a better job is much greater if u goto a better school, imo transfer if you still can an insignificant 50k is nothing compared to how much more you will make in the future by going to a good school

That depends on what you study. If you study engineering or computer science, you'll make at least 50k with a decent GPA. Most of the students that attend state schools arent cut out for majors such as engineering, and LOTS of freshman engineering majors get weeded out. So the few that actually end up graduating with good GPAs end up being the ones with the good jobs.

On the other hand, if you're going to major in something like business or liberal arts, it will help a lot coming from an elite school.

I can vouch for lots of freshman not being cut out for it, I've already seen quite a few drop out of the program, and many more just don't seem like they'll make it.

 

[Tiamat]

As long as the program is nationally recognized, ABET accredited etc, going to any school would be fine for the B.S.

For Ph.D you want the MIT, Caltech, JHU, Georgia Tech etc.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
As long as the program is nationally recognized, ABET accredited etc, going to any school would be fine for the B.S.

For Ph.D you want the MIT, Caltech, JHU, Georgia Tech etc.

actually there's been studies saying that your wage potential actually desclines with a Ph.D because that pretty much limits you to reasearch in academia. I'd recommend a profeffional degree over a Ph.D

 

[vshah]

does your school have a tech job fair? where companies come to recruit students for internships/jobs?

i think that is the biggest difference. i've had reps from nvidia, intel, ibm, amd all come to my ce classes to tell ask to apply for internships.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: erub
I'm going to Texas A&M University, while a state school, #14 in engineering. Recruiters are all over the place around here, and if I wanted to, I'm sure with my ~3.7 GPA in EE and extracurriculurs I could have received a very solid job offer..people I know are tossing around 55-60K with lesser GPAs, and most of these jobs are in TX. I'm trying to go to another STATE school for graduate school, being Georgia Tech. I don't think I should have any problem getting a job after graduating from there either.

Yes, I probably could have gone to at least some of the Ivys for undergrad, but I don't resent that decision at all. I have enough scholarships to cover my entire tuition bill..that 120-150K my parents saved on my education, they told me I can use for a business one day..

My sister, OTOH, went to Pomona College (very prestigious liberal arts college in CA) and my parents paid $$ for her education. She ended up at UT Medical Branch in Galveston for Medical School, sitting next to classmates who attended Texas A&M..my parents have since told me that they wished that they had saved the money on her undergrad

Expensive private liberal arts colleges like that are usually ranked very low. They are for dumb rich kids or people looking for more "status" than the state school. Definately not the same as a Ivy Leagues.

 

[ones3k]

Originally posted by: vshah
does your school have a tech job fair? where companies come to recruit students for internships/jobs?

i think that is the biggest difference. i've had reps from nvidia, intel, ibm, amd all come to my ce classes to tell ask to apply for internships.

Yeah, don't get me wrong, a degree from an elite tech school definitely will help in getting your first job.

 

[ones3k]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: erub
I'm going to Texas A&M University, while a state school, #14 in engineering. Recruiters are all over the place around here, and if I wanted to, I'm sure with my ~3.7 GPA in EE and extracurriculurs I could have received a very solid job offer..people I know are tossing around 55-60K with lesser GPAs, and most of these jobs are in TX. I'm trying to go to another STATE school for graduate school, being Georgia Tech. I don't think I should have any problem getting a job after graduating from there either.

Yes, I probably could have gone to at least some of the Ivys for undergrad, but I don't resent that decision at all. I have enough scholarships to cover my entire tuition bill..that 120-150K my parents saved on my education, they told me I can use for a business one day..

My sister, OTOH, went to Pomona College (very prestigious liberal arts college in CA) and my parents paid $$ for her education. She ended up at UT Medical Branch in Galveston for Medical School, sitting next to classmates who attended Texas A&M..my parents have since told me that they wished that they had saved the money on her undergrad

Expensive private liberal arts colleges like that are usually ranked very low. They are for dumb rich kids or people looking for more "status" than the state school. Definately not the same as a Ivy Leagues.

I actually just looked up Pomona College on www.review.com and its definitely NOT a dumb kids school ;P

 

[randomlinh]

meh, as long as you can manage to swing good internships while you're still in school.. that experience alone is pretty valuable. In your shoes, I would have done the same. Actually.. in your shoes, I probably wouldn't have gone to college.. I'm done, heavily in debt, and have a degree I don't particularlly want because I still have no idea what I would like to do :-/

 

[Strk]

I know it has been said before, but the big name schools are for graduate/professional degrees. The name only gets you so far if the program you want is abysmal at the school. And just because it has the Ivy League label, that doesn't mean that all of the programs are good.

Also, an extremely high GPA is an extremely high GPA and that matters much more than what the name is on your degree. You also said you are thinking of going to graduate school, so keep all of those savings, because the school you choose there can make a huge difference.

 

[gk1998]

Originally posted by: Strk
I know it has been said before, but the big name schools are for graduate/professional degrees. The name only gets you so far if the program you want is abysmal at the school. And just because it has the Ivy League label, that doesn't mean that all of the programs are good.

Also, an extremely high GPA is an extremely high GPA and that matters much more than what the name is on your degree. You also said you are thinking of going to graduate school, so keep all of those savings, because the school you choose there can make a huge difference.

I actually have to diasagree on the GPA part. To a recruiter a GPA of 4.0 from MIT/Caltech/Princeton is much more impressive than an indentical GPA from i.e. Florida State.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: gk1998

Originally posted by: Strk
I know it has been said before, but the big name schools are for graduate/professional degrees. The name only gets you so far if the program you want is abysmal at the school. And just because it has the Ivy League label, that doesn't mean that all of the programs are good.

Also, an extremely high GPA is an extremely high GPA and that matters much more than what the name is on your degree. You also said you are thinking of going to graduate school, so keep all of those savings, because the school you choose there can make a huge difference.

I actually have to diasagree on the GPA part. To a recruiter a GPA of 4.0 from MIT/Caltech/Princeton is much more impressive than an indentical GPA from i.e. Florida State.

A 2.0 from Princeton is more impressive than a 4.0 from Florida State. Recruiters and graduate school admissions departments KNOW which schools are academically demanding.

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: gk1998

Originally posted by: Strk
I know it has been said before, but the big name schools are for graduate/professional degrees. The name only gets you so far if the program you want is abysmal at the school. And just because it has the Ivy League label, that doesn't mean that all of the programs are good.

Also, an extremely high GPA is an extremely high GPA and that matters much more than what the name is on your degree. You also said you are thinking of going to graduate school, so keep all of those savings, because the school you choose there can make a huge difference.

I actually have to diasagree on the GPA part. To a recruiter a GPA of 4.0 from MIT/Caltech/Princeton is much more impressive than an indentical GPA from i.e. Florida State.

A 2.0 from Princeton is more impressive than a 4.0 from Florida State. Recruiters and graduate school admissions departments KNOW which schools are academically demanding.

A 2.0 is a 2.0, but yeah, if the school is a joke, you will be ignored either way. But saying you went to Princeton only takes you so far, esepcially if your grades are horrible.

As for a professional/graduate degree, you still need to score well on the LSAT, GMAT or MCAT

I'm not sure about the latter two, but for LSAT scores, if you don't get a minimum score that the school will accept, you're screwed.

 

[gk1998]

Originally posted by: Strk


A 2.0 is a 2.0, but yeah, if the school is a joke, you will be ignored either way. But saying you went to Princeton only takes you so far, esepcially if your grades are horrible.

As for a professional/graduate degree, you still need to score well on the LSAT, GMAT or MCAT

I'm not sure about the latter two, but for LSAT scores, if you don't get a minimum score that the school will accept, you're screwed.

That is true. However, I am in B-school at the moment and the moajoity of people are from ivy League undergrads or comparable schools like Stanford, MIT, Caltech. There are very few people from less presitgious schools. there are a couple from university of Michigan, Berkeley. So the school name helps a lot in being admitted to a top grad/professional school

 

[GoSharks]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: GOSHARKS
The grades you receive in such an elite school are not directly comparable to less "rigorous" schools becuase of this.

Yup, ivy leagues are known for rampant grade inflation. If you see a 3.5+ GPA from a less "rigorous" school, you know the guy at least worked for it.

That is what I have heard about those Ivy's. Not the case here at Hopkins though... =/

 

[dr150]

Fox5,

I have a good amount of experience on how to get to an elite level in any profession. So PAY ATTENTION:

1.) You made a good decision to skip Ivies. Grades are very much inflated but as in everything, you get out of it what you put in... you'll feel huge temptation to slack off as the grading is easier......this will ultimately bite you in the ass as your future co-workers will out-promote you b/c they have more know-how.

2.) Rowan is a no name school. Your job hunting will be at a disadvantage vs. anyone who went to AT LEAST a recognizable program. The only thing that will help you if you can maintain a really high GPA....which is still uncertain since you're just starting out in college.

3.) You seem smart enough to be able to transfer to a good recognizable State program....one with at least a NAME. Ga Tech, Michigan, Purdue etc are "engineering elite" but it doesn't have to be so high tier. In engineering, it doesn't have to be a Public IVY. Any school with a good career counseling network and a respected engineering program will do. Starting salaries between an MIT/Princeton engineering grad and a Michigan State engineering grad are a minimal wash. This isFACT. Thus, going private is almost a rip-off for engineering purposes. Only a GOOD AMOUNT of QUALITY EXPERIENCE can gain someone a more marked starting salary (though there are VERY few college grads that have this at age 21-22)

My Recommendation:
1.) Transfer out as soon as you can so it'll be easier to indoctrinate yourself to the new school curriculum.
2.) In order to save money, find a respected State engineering program in your State. If you wish to work in another state after college or if there aren't any decent respected engineering programs in your area, find a school out of state in your regional area. BE MINDFUL that out-of-state tution will eat at you for a year or two until you gain state citizenship, then you'll be able to save a GOOD AMOUNT of money. In such cases, do your research for citizenship requirements (as each state is different) as it can hinge on which school you choose to attend.
3.) At your new school, work hard to learn as much as possible! This is CRITICAL! In the workplace, you'll come across many engineers that are good and others that are complete losers. You want to gain a reputation as the "go to" guy who's indespensible when layoffs/shuffling/promotions arise. Believe me that in year 1 on the job, you'll be "classified" as to which category you belong to. It's very dificult to shake off a perception that has been built upon you (other than transferring to another company division or another company). The only way to defend yourself is to know your sh!t inside and out.

Good luck.

I hope this helps. PM me if you need more advice.....

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: vshah
does your school have a tech job fair? where companies come to recruit students for internships/jobs?

i think that is the biggest difference. i've had reps from nvidia, intel, ibm, amd all come to my ce classes to tell ask to apply for internships.

No job fair that I'm aware of.

I actually just looked up Pomona College on www.review.com and its definitely NOT a dumb kids school ;P

Doesn't that site rank according to student reviews?

Ga Tech, Michigan, Purdue etc are "engineering elite" but it doesn't have to be so high tier.

I believe that's pretty much the list of schools that most of the Engineering faculty here graduated from.

In order to save money, find a respected State engineering program in your State.

That pretty much just leaves Rutgers.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: Tiamat
As long as the program is nationally recognized, ABET accredited etc, going to any school would be fine for the B.S.

For Ph.D you want the MIT, Caltech, JHU, Georgia Tech etc.

actually there's been studies saying that your wage potential actually desclines with a Ph.D because that pretty much limits you to reasearch in academia. I'd recommend a profeffional degree over a Ph.D

does that take into account the field you're in? because you're not limited to academia if you study the right things... plenty of phds working for tech companies in high positions.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: gk1998

Originally posted by: Strk


A 2.0 is a 2.0, but yeah, if the school is a joke, you will be ignored either way. But saying you went to Princeton only takes you so far, esepcially if your grades are horrible.

As for a professional/graduate degree, you still need to score well on the LSAT, GMAT or MCAT

I'm not sure about the latter two, but for LSAT scores, if you don't get a minimum score that the school will accept, you're screwed.

That is true. However, I am in B-school at the moment and the moajoity of people are from ivy League undergrads or comparable schools like Stanford, MIT, Caltech. There are very few people from less presitgious schools. there are a couple from university of Michigan, Berkeley. So the school name helps a lot in being admitted to a top grad/professional school

vast majority of people here at law school are from the top schools... but it doesn't necessarily follow that they were helped by their undergrad. it could just be that the people that got into good undergrad schools are the same types that would get into good graduate schools.

 

[MrChad]

I was accepted at MIT, but I chose to go to University of Maryland for my Computer Science degree on a full scholarship. I held an internship for all 4 years I went to school and was able to get a great job immediately after graduating. I also had no debt coming out of college.

Would I have gotten a better job had I chosen to finance an MIT education? Possibly. But I had a great experience at Maryland and I don't regret my decision one bit.

 

[esun]

When picking a school, you should look first and foremost into how the department is rated for your major. That is, for computer engineering, you'd see that Stanford, Berkeley, and MIT are tops. Those are the schools to shoot for. As others have mentioned, a graduate degree from a top school will easily negate a bachelor's from a less prestigious school, and I've seen people do this in the past. Of course, I'm also of the opinion that doing well at a poorer school is worth more than getting Cs at a good school, too, so as long as you excel then you're okay.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: gopunk

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: Tiamat
As long as the program is nationally recognized, ABET accredited etc, going to any school would be fine for the B.S.

For Ph.D you want the MIT, Caltech, JHU, Georgia Tech etc.

actually there's been studies saying that your wage potential actually desclines with a Ph.D because that pretty much limits you to reasearch in academia. I'd recommend a profeffional degree over a Ph.D

does that take into account the field you're in? because you're not limited to academia if you study the right things... plenty of phds working for tech companies in high positions.

Well I'm actually in the finance sector more or less. I'm graduating in the spring with BS in CS and Economics (michigan ranks #6 and #10 respectively) and I'll be working for an i-bank.

In my sector a PH.D in econ is worth nowhere near an MBA. That being said though, I'm applying to NYU to get Econ MA before doing an MBA

 

[elmro]

Also,

The one thing that will differentiate you from your over-achieving peers is work experience. Someone who had a lot of summer internship experience is going to have a significant advantage over someone who doesn't. A lot of people also say that intership experience with a good letter of reference makes up for a few tenths off your GPA.

 

[Hector13]

Originally posted by: halik

Well I'm actually in the finance sector more or less. I'm graduating in the spring with BS in CS and Economics (michigan ranks #6 and #10 respectively) and I'll be working for an i-bank.

In my sector a PH.D in econ is worth nowhere near an MBA. That being said though, I'm applying to NYU to get Econ MA before doing an MBA

that's not entirely true... there are plenty of PhDs in finance that are making a ton of money. I would say that where I am (also at an ibank), the PhDs run the show and an MBA doesn't help much (if at all).

 

[Yossarian]

I think you made a poor decision. My philosophy is to get into the best school you possibly can and deal with the finances later. Saving $30-50k is small potatoes and represents short term thinking.