Does anyone know how much better a GT degree looks over an Auburn degree for Engineering? I have grown up a big Auburn fan (not trying to let it influence my decision), but it is out of state. GT has a great program. I can’t think of a better one in the southeast. With my GPA and test scores, I would receive a good amount of money from AU, but it’s still not as good as Hope or Zell Miller at Tech. I feel like I could really see myself at Auburn, and maybe at GT, but not sold on it yet. My dad keeps bringing up Tech like that’s where he wants me to go. I know that the education is probably better there, starting salaries are higher, and the bigger companies look at Tech grads. Is a Tech degree that much better than an Auburn degree starting out? Both schools have every major I’m looking at.
Questions: Are you a rising senior now? And what specific engineering program are you exploring? I would apply to both…if for no other reason, Tech has become incredibly difficult to get into (their admit rate was 22% this year which means – you’re good with numbers! – 78% of the applicants were turned away) I will say that Tech is deservedly well-known for their coops and internships and that might sway things. But Auburn has pluses as well.
Really ?? Auburn fan for what ? Football?
Yes. My dad started out there as most of his family graduated there. He transferred to UGA for multiple reasons, none of which I think would be issues now. We’ve had season tickets for football since I was born, therefore I am very familiar with the campus and different things they have to offer.
I am a rising senior. I am most likely looking at Electrical, Aerospace, Industrial/Systems, Computer, or possibly Biomedical at Tech. They all seem to interest me, but none have stood out so far. I plan to apply to both, and I know people who have graduated from both schools and are doing well. I like the idea of going to Auburn much more, but I don’t want to go there if a Tech education is that much better. I do know both schools encourage internships or co-ops, which sound interesting to me.
You might get a more opportunities through Tech. More national companies probably recruit there. People pay LOTS of money to go to GT from out of state for that advantage. I’d question the wisdom of paying more for Auburn. If you’d be miserable though, I wouldn’t go. A happy student, who is involved in clubs and making great grades at Auburn will likely do better than one who is miserable and just scraping by at GT. Tim Cook went to Auburn. It’s worked out ok for him.
GT is one of the top 5 engineering schools in the country, but it is not for everyone. Locals have been calling GT the School where hope (scholarship) goes to die for years. And it is very difficult to graduate in 8 semesters. Ultimately, it is more important to excel, where ever you go (as long as net costs are affordable).
S1 is a senior mechE at Auburn. Loves it. He was a NMSF at a very competitive Atlanta HS, but feedback from his friends at GT at the time was it was a very cutthroat grind (even for an engineering school) which turned him off. Fit at Auburn was much better. Good OOS merit aid. Found friend group fast. Honors College, three semesters of a good Co-op, rocketry team, hyperloop team, currently working in autonomous vehicles lab, has a 3.5 and is prepping for grad school. Has no regrets.
Minus things at Auburn - OOS tuition has been rising faster than other schools, engineering admits more lower stats candidates and and weeds out a bunch in first two years. Plus things at Auburn - friendly campus, engineering is more hands on. Also, most engineering departments have 2 comprehensive P/F exams (based on the FE exam) as part of the curriculum to ensure you have learned the foundational material.
Auburn also has rolling admissions. We knew admission and scholarships in October which took a lot of the application season pressure off.
IMO the next tier of southern engineering schools below GT are VaTech, Florida, NC State, UVA, Vandy, and Auburn. All are pretty good and are recruited by national firms.
@MariettaDad I would add Clemson to that list. :-bd
Oops. Also Clemson and Duke.
Thanks for the replies. While Auburn is defininetly not a bad school at all, it seems like Tech grads are looked at first by the major companies.
If you do well at Auburn, you should have good opportunities available to you. It sounds like a good fit for you. @MariettaDad indicates they have rolling admissions and merit aid available . Georgia Tech does seem hard to pass up if you end up being admitted and it ends up being cheaper than Auburn. So you seem to be in a bit of a bind with what your dad prefers. Have you looked at any other schools yet?
Auburn does feel like a place where I could be more involved in projects and clubs. But yes, it is VERY hard to pass up Tech, especially being in state. I have looked at some others (KSU, Clemson, Miss St, and some others) but none I could see myself going to. Dads always wanted me to get the best affordable education, and Tech seems to fit that, but I’m still keeping my options open. The only thing I don’t want is to lose some opportunities by not going to Tech.
You’re going to give up some opportunities (all colleges will have different academic, recruiting, social opportunities, etc.), no matter what college you end up choosing.
As you know, Georgia Tech is a tough admit, so it is great you have a wonderful school like Auburn, that you know you like, as an alternative.
Auburn makes a great safety, and it’s nice have at least one offer of admissions (and $) early, while you’re waiting on GT decision.
If you love Auburn more than GT and your family can afford it, I don’t think you would be giving up opportunities. There are plusses and minuses with everything in life and fit is very important. My child is at GT and is very happy. We looked at Auburn but my child did not like it. Couldn’t quite figure that one out. GT is known for losing hope which my child found liberating. Losing hope motivated my child to go into overdrive, overloading courses in enginerring and walking away with a 4.0 the following semester. You might want to consider UGA and KSU as backups being instate.
That’s true. One of my good friends toured KSU (Marietta) and it exceeded his expectations. Also learned that UGA now has engineering, not sure how much they’ve put toward it yet, but they definitely have the money to grow it.
UGA has had Agricultural and Biological engineering for years. Then, around 2007, they added Biological, Computer Science and Environmental Engineering. Around 2013 they added Civil, Electrical and Mechanical. I think Mechanical and Electrical are not ABET accredited, yet, but I expect if they are not, they will be soon.
It’s still a fairly small program. UGA plans on growing the program, but that’s an expensive and slow process.
@Gator88NE Not to hijack the thread, but what are the costs and benefits of being on the ground floor of a university like UGA that is purposely building its engineering program?