Looking at universities

[Cookie Monster]

This might not sound highly technical.

But, im on my last year in high school here in New Zealand. The choice of study at university is engineering. EE to be more exact.

However, im thinking of moving overseas to europe/america for university. The questions is that will this help me get employed to the likes of Nvidia/ATi? What advantages do you guys think this will bring? Do people really have to be the cream of the crop?

I was thinking maybe the university of columbia (NY). I am aware of other universities, but really out of touch in this section of knowledge.

Im kind of lost and yes, in a state of panic. Should i just study here at university of auckland?

Thanks for all your help for those who do reply.

note - what is SAT?

 

[bobsmith1492]

The SAT is a test that some schools look at when you apply. Unless things have changed, though, most schools actually look at the ACT (another test). A lot can ride on your scores; I got full rides to a bunch of schools (well, was offered... could only accept one... You know what I mean!) because of my ACT and PSAT (another test) scores.

If you're going into engineering, you are going to really have to want it. Background knowledge really helps, also, so you can see where things are going which inspires you to pay attention. When the equations are flying and you start nodding off in class, or a big project is due in two days and you haven't started, you can really need inspiration!

"Do people really have to be the cream of the crop?"
Pretty much, from what I've seen, if you do well in engineering school, you already were and are cream of the crop. Those that simply picked it because engineering sounded interesting or wanted to get paid well or something like that usually ended up dropping out after some of the first classes.

Getting employed at Nvidia/ATI would most assuredly be helped by an engineering degree, although it might be easier to be in business or marketing. I really don't know how often they hire new employees or even how many they have.

I can tell you about schools in the midwest (esp. Michigan) area. There are a lot of good schools here. I don't know about the University of Auckland at all, but I do know there are a lot of nomenclature differences between the US and some parts of the world, so if you want to look at working here, it might be a good idea to study here (plus US universities are typically considered some of the world's finest, at least out of universities you can actually get into without being a genius like some schools in China or India).

I wouldn't just jump to any random school like that, though, unless you have a reason. I could probably come up with a few things to look for if you'd like, or make recommendations.

Hopefully that helps out a bit.

By the way, I'm a senior just going into my fourth year studying EE at Grand Valley State University, Michigan, graduating next summer. Woot woot! I'm also looking into grad school somewhere, as my other thread indicates. Grand Valley might not be the most prestigous school, but they do have a very nice engineering college from all indications I've heard. It's a pretty hands-on approach overall, which is helped since they've got plenty of money for equipment from rich Grand Rapids philanthropists along with good ties to the bountiful local industries.

Oh, and don't panic; you've got a while yet before needing to decide. You should start applying to places, though.

EDIT: Wow, that was long; sorry! I need to go to bed...

 

[Cookie Monster]

Thanks alot man. And Well done since its your last year !!

Reccomendations would be very appreciating.

or a big project is due in two days and you haven't started, you can really need inspiration!

:laugh:

We are only human..

I find EE to be the most interesting of all the engineering topics , e.g from the likes ok mekatronics, mechanical, chemical, biological, software..)

But im also wondering. What kind of jobs will this degree bring onto the table?

 

[Eeezee]

The SAT sucks, the only way to prepare for it is to brush up on vocabulary (assuming you can do the math). I recommend taking a practice test or two so you know what to expect.

I don't know much about other schools, but the University of Arizona gets you a lot of bang for your buck. It's a research university, and all of the science departments are top notch. Engineering is supposed to be like 25th best in the country or something. However, the tuition cost is practically nothing compared to other universities. The U of A makes all of its money from research grants, so tuition is lower.

Also, the hottest girls from around the world come here, and that's a factor that no one can deny :thumbsup:

If I were you, I would also look into some ivy league schools and other public research universities. Try MIT, Cal Tech, and Princeton for starters if you want something at the top.

 

[wwswimming]

i suggest applying to the EE departments at San Jose State & Santa Clara University.

and then making friends with people at nVidia & going to the summer intern job
interviews.

i have an undergrad eng. degree from a junior university near Palo Alto but i
usually only mention the name during job interviews.

one of my managers taught an electromagnetics class (statics) at SJ State.
i took that. then i took a grad EM (dynamics) class at Santa Clara.

one of the senior engineers i used to work with told me he'd hire an MS
from Santa Clara before he'd hire an MS from Stanford.

Santa Clara is also good because it's right next to the train station.

i was working when i started the MS program at Santa Clara. i got an
A in that first class, but i started smoking cigs when i was staying up
late to do the homework, so i stopped, the cigs & the MS program.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Thanks for the replies. University of Arizona/Santa Clara ill look into that.

Is there some sort of scholarship i could earn so that i dont have to pay the tuition fees? or keep those fees really low? Do america also give student allowances/loans (they probably do)?


I was thinking about the ivy league. Let me check these universities out.

ALso anyone whos employed at NV/ATi/intel could give me some suggestions. Or anyone whos was stuck in the same position as i was.

Thanks guys!

 

[herm0016]

Michigan Technological University has some of the best engineering programs in the country, and some of the best Computer science programs too. mabye a computer engineering degree would be more fitting? MTU is in michigans upper peninsula and there are a lot of opertuinites for scholerships and such and houghton is an awsome town. i am currently attending for a degree in Mechanical Engineering. check us out. www.mtu.edu let me know if you want to know more.

 

[imported_jesh]

In addtion to Michigan Tech look at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor(umich.edu). I just graduated from there with a bachelor in computer engineering. If you want to do EE, Michigan has one of best EE programs esp in VLSI if you are intrested in that field. They also have a very good computer engineering program. But the CS department isnt that good. Oh and if you wan to work at intel,amd, NVIDIA etc Michigan has a great recruiting system. Most of my friends were able to find jobs/internships fairly easily if you have any question let me know

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: jesh
In addtion to Michigan Tech look at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor(umich.edu). I just graduated from there with a bachelor in computer engineering. If you want to do EE, Michigan has one of best EE programs esp in VLSI if you are intrested in that field. They also have a very good computer engineering program. But the CS department isnt that good. Oh and if you wan to work at intel,amd, NVIDIA etc Michigan has a great recruiting system. Most of my friends were able to find jobs/internships fairly easily if you have any question let me know

Agreed.

<-- current UMich VLSI grad student.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Once again thanks for the replies!

I wil be looking at the suggested universities asap, but i need sleep

What i am currently curious about is, is there some sort of a possible way to go to university with a scholarship to pay off the tuition fees? do you have to be a super genius or nerd to do that?

To jesh/herm0016, i want to ask some questions so ill PM u when i have time.

Special K was it hard to get into that university? I know that at a high school level, we New Zealanders have a higher score/academic achievement compared to America, but im not so sure at a university level. Do you have to be a super nerd? (Well i did finish a uni math paper at auckland university since high school math is WAY too easy)

O and VLSI is? (sorry im a newbie at this)

Thanks everyone!

 

[edcarman]

Is there some sort of a possible way to go to university with a scholarship to pay off the tuition fees?

Here in South Africa (and I'm sure the general idea is similar in the US and NZ) you can:
1.) Pay for studies yourself
2.) Get a student loan from the bank (to be paid off when you start working)

or of more relevance here:
3.) Get a scholarship - this is almost always based on merit or some other criterion (must be female/male/Jewish/Christian/previously disadvantaged/disabled/etc.) and in general does not require anything from you apart from academic performance to ensure its continuation. You generally have to be very bright to get a full scholarship
4.) Get a bursary - this generally involves a company paying for your tuition and in return you go and work for them once you graduate (usually for the same number of years that they funded). These tend to be easier to get (although you should still need to be fairly bright) as the company can see it as investing in a future asset (you). This has the added advantage that you are then almost guaranteed a job and working experience once you graduate (this could be a disadvantage for you if you want to work for ATI/NVidia and can't get a bursary from them)

As far as choice of university is concerned, you may want to consider doing your undergrad studies at a university in NZ and then moving to the US to do postgrad. This way if you find that engineering is not your thing, then you are not expensively stranded on another continent. An even greater benefit is that you can then approach potential postgrad uni's and bursary companies with the proven performance of a degree behind your name.

A quote from NVidia:

NVIDIA actively recruits U.S. and international college students for internships and co-op positions, as well as full-time post-graduate positions

You would also be well served to contact the careers departments at ATI and Nvidia to see what their views on uni's, qualifications and bursaries are.

ATI Careers
NVidia Careers

Cheers
Ed

 

[imported_jesh]

Michigan is not that hard to get into, but it is fairly competitive.If you have pretty good grades in high school and a good SAT score. Also if you took ap/ib's that would probably help. I knew quite a few international students, they werent super nerds ;p . As far as scholarships, I knew few people that got them straight from the school, you would probably have to search for other scholarships through companies, funds, etc but there are tons out there just a pain to fill out the applications.

 

[wwswimming]

in 1975 i got accepted into Stanford. at that time tuition was about $4K a year. i worked a lot in high school doing gardening & working at restaurants. my family paid about $700 my 4 years there. the Univ. helped out by giving me full tuition scholarship year 1, then sort of a sliding thing, maybe i paid $3000 tuition year 4.

in other words, once they accept you, they try to arrange the financing. THEN.

last time i looked, it cost about $30K a year to go there.

they have an unpredictable admissions. you could be a B student in New Zealand and they'll admit you, over an A student from America. the "well rounded student body" thing.

 

[imported_inspire]

I don't know a whole lot about EE, but, if you're looking to work for Ati or Nvidia, have you considered Computer Engineering?

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: inspire
I don't know a whole lot about EE, but, if you're looking to work for Ati or Nvidia, have you considered Computer Engineering?

Well, i am sure this is the same to all engineering degrees is that simply the first year of engineering covers ALL the engineering topics available. Chemical, Mechanical, to computer, electrical etc. So it will probably allow me to rethink about doing EE if i thought it wasnt what i expected.

Quoting
edcarman-

As far as choice of university is concerned, you may want to consider doing your undergrad studies at a university in NZ and then moving to the US to do postgrad. This way if you find that engineering is not your thing, then you are not expensively stranded on another continent. An even greater benefit is that you can then approach potential postgrad uni's and bursary companies with the proven performance of a degree behind your name.

I get what you mean. So, study here in NZ for 4 years (3 if i take the accelerated parth program) without risking all sorts of problems by moving to America. Then when i get my first degree, i move further into my studies at a good postgraduate school (getting the Masters Degree) in America and start looking a for a job?

What about you guys think? Do you think this way would be better off?

To bobsmith1492 - Werent you looking for a good EE post graduate school? Have you decided yet?

 

[imported_jesh]

Something to think about is ( this might be true at other schools) at Michigan if you have a good GPA, 3.4 or above you take courses while an undergraduate that will count toward your graduate degree. This is really a nice option plus you dont have to take a GRE exam to get in. Just throwing it out there...

 

[WarhammerTX]

texas tech

 

[booboisie]

If you're thinking about the Ivy, I found Cornell to probably be the best with regards to engineering. Some other great school to consider: Carnegie Mellon, UIUC, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Purdue, UW-Madison, etc. If you're applying to state schools like UIUC, UMichigan, and UWisconsin, it would probably be best to apply as soon as possible (I know UIUC releases app around September).

If you're looking at some of the "top" schools, don't forget that you also might have to take the SATII's (subject tests), usually one of the math ones and a science one for engineering. Keep that in mind so you have time to prepare, if you end up needing them.

If you're looking for something new and different, check out Olin College. It's new, gives full tuition scholarships to all that are accepted (this year is the first they're accepting internationals), and is very student driven (having only a total of 300 students). You would also be able to take classes at 3 nearby schools: Babson (business), Wellesley (great all-girls school), and Brandeis. Olin's a school that you need to visit to see if you'll like it, and if you make the initial "cut" down to ~175 students, they invite you to visit and interact with other possible students.

You can also check out http://talk.collegeconfidential.com. There are some people that are probably more experience with international applications, and, in general, is a good source of information.

 

[Shadowmage]

What's with all the bad schools listed for EE? You want to listen to a national source for rankings, not word of mouth on a computer forum. Sometimes the recruiter biases towards what schools they like, not how well a school does.

A good idea is to check out the USA Today listings. Here's a link:

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/eng/brief/engrank_brief.php

Generally good Engineering schools in the area you are looking for are:

1. MIT
2. Stanford
3. University of California - Berkeley/ California Institute of Technology (CIT might be higher, forgot)
4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor/ University of Illinois - Urbana-Champagne / Georgia Institute of Technology

Try to get yourself into those schools.

Check out the school's websites to see how they place in certain fields.

For example, for University of Illinois:

http://www.publications.uiuc.edu/info/rankings.html


The following UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS rank in the top 25 nationally:

Accountancy?1
Business management?8
Finance?13
Insurance/risk management?5
Marketing?14
Real estate?5
Quantitative analysis?11
Aeronautical engineering?8
Agricultural engineering?3
Chemical engineering?8
Civil engineering?1
Computer engineering?5
Electrical engineering?4 <--------------------


------------------


here's UMich (I go here!)

http://www.engin.umich.edu/about/rankings.html

Electrical Engineering 5


Looks like UMich is right under U-Illinois...

----

I don't know much about Olin, but I would stay away from it. New school means fewer resources and connections.

 

[darthsidious]

I was in kind of a similar situation to the OP. I'm from india, and decided to apply to US schools. Currently, I'm at MIT, and very happy with my choice. It's been a life changing experience. I've got to meet a lot of amazing people, broaden my horizons, and have gotten opportunities that I could never have had back home. So it can be a very rewarding experience.

At this point I wouldn't fixate on working with just a couple of companies. Go to school with an open mind, and try to get a couple of internships, and see if you like them. EE, especially circuit design is not necessarily what everyone likes or wants to do for the rest of their life. FWIW, I'm an EE major specializing in analog circuit design, and when I came to MIT I thought I was probably going to do something software related, but eventually realized I liked EE, and in particular circuit design much more.

Also, just as a note, Nvidia does recruite fairly strongly at MIT's Job fairs, for both internships and full-time jobs. I don't know about ATI though

 

[Parasitic]

You Want Nvidia or ATi? Wanna try Intel or AMD?
University of California, Berkeley
Stanford University

Take your pick.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Thanks for the input guys!

I will be looking at those universites.

But right now, im thinking of doing my degree here and then looking at good postgraduate schools in America while also looking at jobs/internships etc.

 

[A5]

Yeah...it's generally easier to get a job at a top-tier company with a postgrad degree. Your course of action is quite wise - the only school that really matters is your most recent one. Bust your ass at a NZ school for an undergrad degree, then go for one of the top flight schools for a graduate degree.

 

[theslickvik]

Just for a heads up the ACT is easier than the SAT (granted to those who take both). Columbia is another tough place to get into but if you do enough I;m sure you'll get in. We're all rooting for you!

Cheers

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: A5
Yeah...it's generally easier to get a job at a top-tier company with a postgrad degree. Your course of action is quite wise - the only school that really matters is your most recent one. Bust your ass at a NZ school for an undergrad degree, then go for one of the top flight schools for a graduate degree.

This is what i have currently have in mind. More suggestions would be nice!

Thanks everyone.