Tech education has become increasingly important in recent years as digital technologies are integrated into our work and daily life. A Fortune feature on tech education in the US highlights that computer and mathematical occupations are expected to see fast employment growth due to strong demand for IT security and software development.
The article also emphasizes the importance for US businesses to increase investment in digital access to build a workforce fit for the future.
Today, many universities offer tech courses and degrees to equip students with the necessary digital skills for the future including those related to project management in tech companies. Some of these universities are more prestigious than others, offering world-class faculty and research facilities.
Below, we’ll look at some of the best tech universities to attend in the US:
Stanford
Founded in 1885, Stanford has a 4% acceptance rate and is known for offering majors such as computer and information sciences and support services, engineering, and interdisciplinary studies. Among the many majors offered by the university, computer and information sciences and support services lead as one of the most popular majors among 17% of its graduates. Stanford is also considered an innovation landscape that has led to 4,512 inventions, including a generally agreed upon central role in the origins of technology-driven Silicon Valley. Stanford University also placed in the top 15 of the world university rankings by Studocu, where over 75,000 students rate universities based on categories like quality of life, quality of courses, facilities, academic reputation, and job opportunities, among others.
Studocu also evaluated schools based on student experiences with diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility, so high-ranking universities like Stanford generally performed well in these categories. Stanford University looks for well-rounded students by practicing a holistic admission process in which an applicant’s GPA or grades isn’t the sole factor for acceptance. Admission essays, extracurricular activities, and job or family responsibilities are all essential factors in getting a place in this prestigious university.
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is a comprehensive university and leading research institution founded in 1872. Virginia Tech offers about 280 undergraduate and graduate degree programs with a 56% acceptance rate. Engineering is the top major, with 23% of the university’s graduates taking this course. In fact, Virginia Tech’s engineering degree is considered a top-notch program in the country, and its research programs have led to discoveries ranging from quantum computing and vaccines to assistive devices. Along with athletics and various student and community activities, Virginia Tech is also known for its student diversity. In 2011, the university created a community for its Black male students to encourage high achievers among Black undergraduate students in an open and transparent community.
Virginia Tech’s graduate programs prepare their students to advance research and studies in tech fields while drawing on other disciplines in social sciences and humanities. Like Stanford, Virginia Tech practices a first-year holistic review of applicants that views applicants beyond their academic performance to include letters of recommendation and personal experiences.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Established in 1861, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is known for its contributions to advancements in digital technology, including predecessors to modern computing and networking technologies. Most notably, MIT’s highly qualified faculty has helped support generations of students to turn technological ideas and visions into practical business realities. Recently, researchers at MIT designed and developed a device akin to an X-ray headset based on a modified Microsoft Hololens. It is an augmented reality system that detects objects hidden in boxes or around corners, making them ideal for warehouse or retail workers handling large inventory systems.
A mix of top grades in high school, advanced placement courses, and extracurricular and enrichment activities will help you stand out in the MIT application process. MIT also has a list of General Institute Requirements for high schoolers interested in applying to ensure the best-matched students have higher chances when applying.
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