Is it bad if my school's engineering program is relatively new?

[lystic]

I am attending the University of Texas at Dallas this fall for Biomedical Engineering. I'm worried for when I apply to graduate schools because UTD's BME program has only been around for like 2-3 years, so there hasn't even been a graduating class yet. How much of an impact would this have if I wanted to apply to top 20 grad schools for BME? Or does the prestige of the program not have too much of an impact? My parents are making me go to UTD since it's in-state and practically free, so I have no other options

Edited April 25, 2013 by lystic

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[KindaHardWorker]

Grad schools care about one primary thing and one thing only: are you a research asset?

 

This school has possibly not had a graduating class yet.  But if you engage in research during your time there, publish papers as an undergraduate, make connections with professors that can write you good letters of recommendation and show you're a dedicated student with a high GPA, I don't see why you shouldn't have a shot.  BioMed Engineering is a relatively new field.