<p>I'm trying to choose between 2 complete different schools. One of the schools I feel is a better fit for me. I have been to the campus twice and felt in love with the vibe both times. The other school, according to rankings in my field, has an extremely better program in my major, but I was not feeling the school as much as school 1. school 1's program is not even ranked in my major. is it better to go to the school i feel more comfortable with and risk not getting a job? or go to the school with the better academics so that i can get a job when i graduate? thanks.</p>
<p>Most people change their major at least once in college. Also, in the field you're thinking of, is your undergraduate school significant? Or will you be expecting to go to graduate school before heading out into the world? These are factors to consider.</p>
<p>I think undergrad is important because grad school is not really required if you get a good education as an undergrad.</p>
<p>I think you should go to the school with the "good vibe"-there is something there that interests you and academically you might change your mind during the course of 4 years. Also, if you are happier, than you will enjoy learning more. Four years in a place that you are not that positive about, is a long time. I also think it is all about networking and making your connections so look for every opportunity-through your professors, internships etc to make an impression in the work place for later on. You might consider grad school as a way of improving your "appearance" later on as well. Good luck and go to the school that you love.</p>
<p>thanks. that's very good advice!</p>
<p>Another vote for fit & feel over cold numbers. D was accepted to an LAC more highly ranked than the one she is attending, and the department for one of her majors was among the very top...she chose the school with the better fit and is extracting a terrific experience from it. I doubt that she 'll be doing any worse launching a career or getting into grad/professional school from School Y instead of School X.</p>
<p>I second TheDad -- I think fit is more important than ratings. What matters, in the end, is the experience you extract from a particular college. You'll be more likely to be successful at a school where you are comfortable, and as others have suggested, you may even change majors.</p>
<p>still kind of stuck. bumping up. :(</p>
<p>Another vote for "good fit" ! (Unless "good fit" means lots of beer and parties and no one cares if you show up for class.) Might be helpful to call the alumni office at your "good fit" school and ask if they can send you their latest publication about what their grads are doing now. If the classes of the last 10 years have produced people doing things that sound like what you'd like to do --chances are you'll do just fine there.</p>
<p>I agree with those who said fit over rank. I also would need to hear what major you are talking about because I agree with Kluge when he asked if your undergraduate school is signficant in your field or if your field might involve graduate school anyway. </p>
<p>My D is in architecture but chose to do a BA degree in architecture (more of a liberal arts degree) rather than a professional five year BArch (terminal degree). Because of that, she would need to go to graduate school for a MArch in order to go into her field. She was not 100% sure of her major when applying to college though was strongly thinking of going into this field (and is now finishing soph year and IS going into this field after all) and wanted a liberal arts degree. The school she picked (Brown) didn't have as good of offerings in architecture as the many other schools she was accepted to but it had enough, plus could be (and has been) supplemented by RISD courses, a summer intensive at Harvard, and an architecture abroad program through another university. She wil be prepared to go to graduate school from her college and many from her college in this field do get into top architecture graduate programs. So, she picked her college over fit, not the undergraduate department. I realize it is not the exact same thing as your situation as this did not involve the prestige issue. I bring it up only in relation to Kluge's point that where the undergraduate major was done may not be significant if one is going onto graduate school anyway in the field. But I do not know your intended field and so it is hard to comment on that part in your case. </p>
<p>In general, I would take fit over prestige.</p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Another vote here for fit over rank. I was lucky enough to go to Stanford as an undergrad, many moons ago, and that proved to be both for me. However, I started as a Physics major, switched to History, went to Law School, practiced for 16 years, then shifted to Software Development/Architecture, and have achieved a good degree of success in that field. More importantly, I am happier, a better husband and a better father.</p>
<p>Our DS is going through the college process now (he is finishing Junior year in H.S), and has such a broad range of interests that he really does not know what he intends to major in. Although he will likely get accepted at some of the higher ranked schools, we are counseling him to find the "fit", because there really is no substitute for being happy during your undergrad days, which can be among the best times in your life. </p>
<p>IMHO, much more is made of undergraduate rankings than is warranted. There were some Nobel prize winners at Stanford who were not very good teachers. There is a defined quantum of basic material you will have to cover in any field, which is provided in your undergrad days. Graduate school and/or on the job experience provide the advanced stuff. Also, your undergrad school should not be a trade school -- you are there to get exposure and education in a variety of things to become an educated person. 2 out of 3 Freshmen in my class were Pre-Med at Orientation Weekend. By the time Organic Chemistry was over in Spring Quarter, that number was 1 in 4. </p>
<p>If you are in an environment that you are comfortable in, you will be more motivated, more likely to reap the benefits of the education outside the classroom, and will emerge a better person overall. Go for the fit!</p>
<p><steps down="" off="" of="" soapbox=""> Sorry for the lecture, just something I feel strongly about.</steps></p>
<p>Jeff</p>
<p>thanks. i'm trying to pick between george washinton and vtech for interior design. vtech's program is so much better. but i think i like gwu better in general, it's urban , and it's close to home (MD). so i don't know.</p>
<p>Where is vtech?</p>
<p>It seems that an urban area would give you more opportunities for part-time jobs and internships in your chosen area.</p>
<p>Practical experience counts for a great deal when you are looking for a job, so the work experience you could get in D.C. might outweigh any course offerings at vtech.</p>
<p>VT is a very, very pleasant place. Nice looking school, great school spirit, loyal alums, but is is far, far away from anyplace of importance. It's 4 hours more or less from Metro DC.</p>
<p>Another vote for Fit over prestige.Its 4 years-you should enjoy them as much as possible</p>
<p>I'm not sure I agree that Virginia Tech's prestige is greater than GW's anyway. Go for fit.</p>
<p>Yet another vote for "fit" over prestige. Being happy can go a long way into helping you do well at college and in life.</p>
<p>My daughter is in the same situation. She's elected to stay here and go to CU-Boulder (Honors College) over UCLA and Georgetown. I don't necessarily know if her choice would have been MY choice, but then again, I'm not the one going to college now! It helps that the sciences (her area of interest) are strong at CU.</p>
<p>Best of luck in your decision.</p>
<p>I beg to differ, VT is not, "far, far away from anyplace of importance". A big city is the only thing of importance?? Besides, it's less then an hour from Roanoke, where my son will be going! Roanoke by the way, has a city area population of over 200,000.</p>
<p>Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, Virginia. Great college town. I know several alumni that are now lawyers, engineers, accountants, and teachers. Two happen to be in my own family, two across the street. All successful and all had a wonderful college experience. Great reputation for engineering, I know nothing about it's interior design major. I don't think that it would be difficult to get an internship at either school. I know that there are students here in PA doing internships at a local company and they go to school out of state. At Roanoke, they emphasize that they will go out of their way to get every student an internship that wants it. I never took that to mean it would be in the same town as the college. </p>
<p>Just speculating here, but did you like GW's vibe or just the excitement of being in the city? Have you considered doing an internship or a Washington semester while going to VT? Is being close to home important to you? I'll be honest, I'm sort of playing devil's advocate here because everyone seems to be steering you towards this vibe thing. I know a freshman that opted to go to a College that did not have her first pick major but she loved the college and thought that since she wasn't positive about what she wanted to do, she would go there. She's found herself very unhappy with the academics but not with the college and is thinking of transferring. If there are several majors at GW that appeal to you and you love the college, then go for it. I would just not discount the academics and go with all "vibe".</p>
<p>BTW, noticed that your screen name is wannagotocornell, which certainly a lot more like Tech then GW.</p>
<p>I just checked, and both schools' interior design programs are accredited by FIDER. That's the important thing. What ranking are you referring to?</p>
<p>i was referring to the di.net rankings for interior design. vt was not ranked top 10 in 2006, but it was ranked previously, but gwu was not ranked. i think in my field, it really helps to have connections and plentiful resources to getting a job. vtech has that, and they are giving me almost a full ride. where at gwu, i would have to take out some loans. (5,000 ish.)
but, kathiep i liked the excitement of being in a city, from living in a city all my life. i did like vtech's vibe, although slower, it was very calming, and everyone was friendly. as an urm, i look at diversity, but the schools are almost the same in that. and i will be doing an internship either way in an area near/in MD.</p>
<p>i think i know my decision. or it could change again tommorow morning. lol. hope not. i'm tired of this.</p>