UIUC or Georgia Tech, which one is better in EE?

[EE Applicant]

I have acceptances for PhD from UIUC and Georgia Tech. I'd like to know which one has better reputation?

My field of interest is Photonics and Electromagnetics. Please help if you have any ideas about them.

Thanks

[was1984]

I think both have very strong reputations. If I were comparing two resumes with students from each school I'd consider the schools attended to be a wash. It looks like you are in the fortunate position of being able to choose based on soft factors like location, adviser, etc.

Do you like hot summers or cold winters?

Also, just in case you are curious, UIUC is 4th in EE this year, while Ga Tech is 6th. Like I said, not much difference. The differences there are fairly arbitrary.

In terms of overall engineering rankings, Ga tech is 4th, while UIUC is 5th. So again, pretty much a wash.

I'm not familiar enough with emag or optics to tell you which has a better program.

[fenguin]

UIUC has a FANTASTIC EE program, especially in the area of photonics and electromagnetics - we've got some major impact in the field with faculty such as Nick Holonyak. Also, it seems that reputation-wise, saying you came from UIUC EE has a little more leverage than saying you came from Georgia Tech, but it may just be the people I've interacted with.

Disclaimer: I did my undergrad at UIUC.

[mo7aisen]

Disclaimer: I did my undergrad at UIUC.

you have to say also that you are not associated with Gatech