The best thing, in my opinion, about the ACE Department is the fact that you get world-class faculty and staff, but it still small enough that it feels like a lot of people know you.  Your advisor and professors very often know you by name, something that does not always happen at a big ten university.  That has really made a difference with me.  When you first go off to college, so much is new.  It really helps to have friendly faces around that you know and that know you.  Pursuing your major in ACE is exciting, and I would even refer to it as comforting.  The fact that you are in a friendly department with friendly and highly-skilled people all the time makes getting a major in ACE great, and is an experience that I hope many will take on.