Which Uni should i choose for an exchange to USA?

Question

I'm planning to go on an exchange to USA for next year 1st semester. I'm studying Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) and Bachelor of Computer Science. I've got few choices but don't know which ones to choose:

Carnegie Mellon University

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

University of Michigan

University of Pennsylvania

I need to fill in 3 preferences. The first one I have already chosen to be Carnegie Mellon. Then I don't know which ones I should choose to be my 2nd and 3rd.

I know Engineering in both Illinois at Urbana Champaign and Michigan are good, but it seems that they are not in a popular state. Don't know if it will be boring or not. Should I choose a university in a more popular state instead? University of Pennsylvania is a good uni, but it seems that they are not so strong in Engineering and Computer Science fields.

Can anyone give me some advices? I'll appreciate if u can give me some detail abt the environment around the uni.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Well, isn't this funny!? My cousin is currently studying at the University of Michigan on her USA exchange, and my fiance studied at the University of Pennslyvania. I'm not sure what you mean by a popular state. Do you mean a state where films are set? That's not true as my cousin just met Matt Damon in Chicago last week when he was filming his new movie! Anyway, I went to visit them both at their universities and I liked them both, though I liked Pennsylvania slightly better. They both loved their year in the USA, so I don't think you can go wrong.

However, neither of them got to study their normal fields, ie. law and art. They both had to do business courses. Are you sure you can study engineering? In my opinion, it won't matter. It's the fact you are studying abroad that will impress potential employers, not the American Uni you go to.

I'm sure you'll love it like so many people I know. Good luck whatever you choose!