Am I crazy to choose UGA over Tulane?

<p>I have narrowed my choices down to the University of Georgia Honors Program and Tulane. Both schools have my preferred major, but that's about where the similarities end. I have visited UGA but not Tulane, and I don't think I'll have time to do so before May 1st.</p>

<p>I find myself leaning towards UGA because of the cost (I have two brothers right behind me in the college process) and the Honors Program (I've heard great things about it). I'm also an in-state student and know quite a few current and future students of the school (not sure if I like that or not). I know that Tulane is considered the "more prestigious" school, but I feel like everything is pointing to Georgia. I think the fact that I haven't visited Tulane is keeping me from committing to a school because I just want to consider all of my options to the fullest extent, and I don't want to always be wondering "what if?"</p>

<p>Am I crazy to choose UGA over Tulane? Any input would be appreciated! Thanks!</p>

<p>No, it is not remotely crazy to choose the more affordable option. Especially as you have already visited it and happen to like the place. Have a great time at UGA!</p>

<p>It would be crazy to pick UGA over Tulane if they were the same price but since UGA will be much cheaper, it makes perfect sense.</p>

<p>I’m not even sure that it would be Crazy if they were both the same price. Tulane probably has a better rep, but not by enough to eliminate Georgia if you really loved the school.</p>

<p>In your circumstances, it makes a lot of sense.</p>

<p>Well, are there any other reasons for choosing UGA besides the cost and honors program?</p>

<p>Yes. If you like the school better, overall. Tulane has had a rough go in the last few years, and they have had to cut a lot of things out there. It’s recovered greatly,but it is still a school in transition, and IMO with the costs of a private school going the way they are, it’s going to be tough for them to give value for what they charge. UGA is well padded by the state of GA which has made a commitment to keeping their best students in state.</p>

<p>I say UGA all the way. This is an easy choice in my book.</p>

<p>With the cost differential and the honors program it is not at all “crazy” to pick UGA. It also sounds like you feel very comfortable with UGA which s a plus as well. </p>

<p>Once you make a final decision, don’t look back.</p>

<p>Thank you all for the input, it is very helpful. Just a follow-up question: if I plan on going to graduate school, does UGA still seem like the best option? Would it be worth it to give up the money I would save for grad school at UGA to have come from a school with a reputation like Tulane’s? Or does that not matter as much, as long as I do well at UGA?</p>

<p>Doesn’t matter. Do well at UGA.<br>
I think I’d prefer UGA anyways…awesome college town and sports with all the big public school vibe in a more intimate honors setting. Sounds like a perfect combo…plus cheaper.</p>

<p>I think you overstate Tulane’s reputation. UGA is a one of the better state flagships, and has quite a bit of high level research going on. The research opportunities that the honors program provides should allow you to work with excellent professors from the get go. Pursue this track and you may be able to get into an excellent grad school assuming grades and other factors are also stellar.</p>

<p>Undergrad prestige matters little in most graduate school admissions decisions. What really matters is undergrad GPA, coursework, gre scores, writing ability, and professor recs. UGA can get you anywhere you need to go. </p>

<p>In my department (I teach at a research U), all the tenure track people have PhDs from top ten programs in the field…places like U Mich, Ga Tech, Stanford. Their undergrad degrees are very varied, from places like…U Nebraska, Drake U, Pursue, Iowa State, Rice, Grinnell, and you guessed it, U Ga. In fact the U Ga undergrad grad is the top researcher in the department.</p>

<p>Ask yourself this, will the grad program at school X in field Y take a Tulane grad with a GPA of 3.4 automatically over a U Ga grad with a GPA of 3.5 ( all other things being equal such as gre, coursework, recs, etc) because of Tulane’s superior US News ranking? I can answer that for you, NO!</p>

<p>Do well and prosper at U Ga. As a side note, my son just chose Iowa State over Tulane. We didn’t feel like it was worth the huge difference in price.</p>

<p>You are right that it isn’t totally fair to make this decision without having looking thoroughly at both schools. You have two GREAT options in front of you, but you should definitely look fully into both just so you know what you’re saying “no” to. If you don’t, that “what if” will nag you just because you will always wonder what the “other” experience would’ve been.</p>

<p>My advice–since you said you probably don’t have time to visit Tulane before the 1st–is to pose this same question in their admitted student group: <a href=“Tulane '17 | Facebook”>Tulane '17 | Facebook; </p>

<p>See why other students (who probably visited the campus) made the choice they did, then decide. You can probably tell from my username that I would encourage Tulane; but the Honors Program at UGA is great too! Mainly, I’m just encouraging you to go with your eyes wide open.</p>