<p>Well I'll be moving to the states to study electrical engineering for Spring 2015, I applied to SDSMT and UCF (University of Central Florida). I know they are 2 completely different universities since UCF have like 60,000 enrolled students and SDSMT 2,000. The reason why I applied to UCF because my grandmother lives in Orlando and it would be awesome to live with her since she is like my second mom! And I applied to South Dakota School of mines and technology because I heard amazing stuff about their career placement and the reputation they have nationally plus the price is really reasonable for such a good education. I got accepted into both of them and I gotta make a decision as soon as possible since I have to ask for my student visa and many stuff with the US embassy in my country. PLEASE I don't live in the US and I want opinions from you americans about both universities, I'm not a party person myself and I like being challenged academically. Thank you!</p>
<p>SD Mines is a great school for engineering. If you won’t mind the heavily skewed male:female ratio and the small town setting, I’d advise you to go there. Easily one of the best values for your dollar in US education. I’ve had coworkers who went there, and if they are any indication you will surely learn a lot.</p>
<p>UCF, on the other hand, has some very good academics but also some not-so-good. Instead of being at the school of mines, you’ll be mining for small classes and/or good professors. You have to really work at building a good academic experience there. A friend of mine tried for two years, then gave up and transferred. Along the way she did find a few gems - I was lucky enough to sit in on one of them with her for a couple of classes - but they were not easy to find. Remember, you are in competition with a huge student body for registration every semester. The best classes fill up fast.</p>
<p>Unless you really can’t stand the idea of South Dakota or a predominantly male school, I’d advise you to choose SD. Why mine for diamonds when you can have a cut gem?</p>
<p>I am a big fan of SDSMT and encouraged my oldest to apply, but I suggest looking at the area on Google Earth to see just how desolate it is around there. It does have a fair amount of international students, though, if you end up there.</p>
<p>I know next to nothing about UCF and Orlando other than Disneyworld.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your advice!</p>
<p>Did you get into the Honors program at UCF? Or any special program?
UCF is overcrowded but being near your grandmother might be a good thing.
How easy it is to get from SD to Orlanda? In the Northern States there are dirt cheap flights to FL in the winter, check on that… you could have the best of both worlds: Winter and Spring break with your grandmother in FL, and SDSU for the great academics.
Is there a cost difference? Are both well within budget?
Also, do check on the weather; if you come from a “hot” weather country, you have to be ready for 6 months of intense cold. It’s not SOOO bad because you’ll buy clothes there that are designed for the purpose of keeping you warm and you’ll live inside a lot, but it can get long and you need to be mentally prepared for January-February, when it’s dark and cold and there are no holidays around the corner with twinking lights all around. </p>