Realistic choice of universities for MS/Ph.D in Chemical Engineering?

[chem.eng]

Hi guys!

 

I'm a fourth year chemical engineering student(cgpa above 3.5) planning to apply for grad school in the US for next year. However, I am very confused on the choice of universities: top tier schools, Ivy League, State schools? Where exactly does the difference occur and how many schools do usuall people apply to? Also, I would really need funding to support my education as an international student so does the choice of university affect the chances of receiving such an aid?

I don't personally know a lot of people who have been to grad schools in US hence I'm pretty lost in many aspects, any suggestion/help is appreciated.

 

P.S I have a personal preference for Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Anyone who could suggest some good universities in these states?

 

Thanks in adv

[ktk]

Masters or PhD? For the PhD it should be about what the faculty do research on before what the name of the school is. Masters: I guess rank can matter more? If you plan on not doing research - though the masters thesis is common so it could still depend heavily on what sub branch of che you want to do work in.

Financial aid for masters program is much rarer than for PhD programs.

Ivy league: Harvard doesnt even have a "che" program you know. Cornell, upenn, princeton are undoubtedly strong players in several che branches though. (Not the exhaustive list)