Carnegie Mellon vs. UPenn - Mechanical Engineering

[hjsun329]

I have been admitted to CMU and UPenn's Masters program (M.S. with thesis) in mechanical engineering. Both schools are very prestigious schools and both have ongoing research in computational mechanics that I am very much interested in.

 

Solely from an engineering student's perspective, CMU seems to be a better pick mainly because of its strength in technical aspects. However, there are few factors that makes me think about choosing Penn over CMU. First, I'm not too sure how important the Ivy League connection would help me in the future. In addition, although paying for tuition is not the biggest problem for me, the fact that the tuition for UPenn is nearly half as much as that of CMU's adds another complexity to the decision making process.

 

Especially since I would like to keep my doors open for industry as well, I feel that UPenn may be a better choice (I'm thinking of taking few business courses at Wharton). If there is anything that you would like to recommend to me to help me with this decision, please leave a comment for me below! Thanks!

[knightkimi]

Similar situation here. CMU mechanical engineering vs. UPenn robotics masters program.

[Deadmeat]

"In addition, although paying for tuition is not the biggest problem for me" - Is it because you have loads of money, or is it because you simple are not worried about taking out 2x the loans?

 

I would pick Upenn if its half the cost based on if you have to take out loans. Otherwise I would pick wherever has the most people doing research that you want to be involved in (chances are the first adviser you really want won't have a spot for you), that way you have many options. 

 

I don't know about CMU, but Upenn is in Philadelphia, and being from there... well I wouldn't choose to live there. Good food and bars, but socially it kinda sucks, its dirty and filled with crime. So yah.