<p>Bottom line is my son has been accepted at TAMU, Georgia Tech and Clemson. GT & TAMU are in a dead heat with Clemson a distant third. His major is Mech Eng. I would like him to consider the whole package as in a well rounded college experience (non-party experience!!) not just how the schools rank on paper. My concern about GT is burn-out, and A & M the size. Any thoughts? THANKS!!!</p>
<p>GT is renowned for Engineering and it's more selective overall than A&M. However, A&M students are fanatical about the place, while in my opinion, there seem to be a lot of disgruntled Tech students. The Princeton Review Campus Life index, based on student survey responses, rates campus life at A&M a 93 on a 60-99 scale, and campus life at Tech an 80.</p>
<p>"My concern about GT is burn-out"</p>
<p>I can't think of any reason to suppose that a MechE program will be more demanding or more likely to lead to burnout at one school vs. the other. It's going to require a lot of sustained concentration at either.</p>
<p>I can say with a great deal of confidence that I'd enjoy the campus life more at GT than A&M. That is really a student-by-student question.</p>
<p>I have a lot of relatives who are attending, have attended or did attend GT and/or Texas A&M. GT students work very, very hard and drink very, very hard. All have great jobs many could have retired by age 40. The family members who attended Texas A&M, only four (4) in total, all transferred out after one or two years. Friends with children at Clemson love it, the town and the lake. Not in the same league academically as is Georgia Tech.</p>
<p>Both are solid schools. </p>
<p>Georgia Tech has the benefit of being in Atlanta, which is a very vibrant and happening city. However, the academics are very intense. Engineering isn't exactly easy at any school, but GTech is known for being overwhelmingly demanding. </p>
<p>Texas A&M has a more isolated location, but seems like an overall less stressful environment. The academics are respectable, but not as hard-core demanding. Plus, the football atmosphere seems exciting and fun. </p>
<p>I think I'd actually choose Clemson. It's less stressful than GTech, and surrounding area seems more interesting and attractive than College Station. Everyone I've met from Clemson LOVES the place.</p>
<p>Have you visited A&M? It is vastly different than GT and I would assume Clemson as well from what I have seen online. Both GT and A&M are highly ranked Engineering programs, he wouldn't go wrong at either. If he is REALLY school spirited, A&M is right up his alley. If he is NOT school spirited(not all kids are), it is definitely NOT for him! I am having a hard time deciding between GT and A&M, too.</p>
<p>We went to A & M and LOVED IT!! GT visit is scheduled later on this month. In all honesty I prefer A & M because I would rather he stand out at A & M then just get by at GT; this because of all I have read and been told about the academic rigors. Maybe that's wrong thinking.....I am just wanting him to love his whole college experience, not be stuck studying every waking moment. This is based on knowing his personality, work ethic etc.</p>
<p>I am curious. What makes you think that A&M is that less rigorous than GT? The Engr. programs at A&M are intense also. If you think he will "stand out" at A&M, but have trouble at GT, you might be underestimating A&M. I think the biggest difference is the urban vs. middle of nowhere campuses. Not saying either is bad, just immensely different! Also, A&M has three times the number of students. And GT has much more diversity in the student body. A&M is pretty much white, Texan kids....I see those points as the biggest differences, not the rigor of the curriculum. But I can see that despite those major differences, I am still having a hard time deciding as well. It will come down to scholarships. But I know it will be a tough, demanding four years no matter where I go.</p>
<p>You are right.....it will be tough enough wherever he goes...I guess from what I have heard GT seems to have the reputaion as more demanding. And when I look at the stats of some of the admitted at GT I wonder how my son got in!!! He is no slouch but some of these kids are like...WOW! And yes it will come down to scholarships fo us as well. Funny, yesterday in the mail we got 2 letters, 1 from GT, 1 from A & M....GT wanted us to verify fin. aid info. and A & M Corp of Cadets was letting him know he was eligible for a scholarship if he was still considering the corp! We shall see! I appreciate your posts......helps us as we consider the best fit!</p>
<p>Is he thinking of the Corps? And your son's stats are very fitting with GT...a 1490 SAT is really above avg. Is he a Presidential Scholar semifinalist? Is he looking at Polymer Engr. at GT? Just wondering, as Clemson is also one of the few schools that has PE as an undergrad major. My mom tried to get me to look at Clemson, but it just didn't appeal to me.</p>
<p>He is kinda thinking of the Corp....the scholarship would also give him in-state tuition. He didn't make it as a Pres. Scholar. at GT. I am assuming because his PSAT score was only 193; the cutoff in SC was 200 for any Merit status. He is planning on Mech. Eng. As far as Clemson, I made him choose an in state school......the way it looks $ wise he can go there practically free...but as you put it, it totally doesn't appeal to him either....</p>