<p>I have recently been accepted into a few schools and have narrowed it down to two choices: UVa and Georgia Tech
I am planning on majoring in Biomedical Engineering and both schools are highly ranked for it. UVa is 13th in the nation while GTech is 2nd. I live in Virginia so if I attend UVa I will receive in-state tuition. There is a $10,000 difference in the tuition between the two schools (Uva is $27000 and Gtech is $37000). I know Gtech has an amazing overall engineering department, but the biggest hurdle is the fact that it is about 9 hours away. UVa is only 3 hours away but it is more of a liberal arts school. It still has a great engineering program there though. I also want to go to a school where I can get involved in research in the fields of science and technology. If I go to UVa, I will know a few people also attending so I won't be completely alone, while no one I know is going to Gtech. I want everything to be considered such as area, atmosphere, city, the works. Every little thing counts. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone would like to give their two cents. </p>
<p>Former wahoo here, from a long line of wahoos and ever loyal to UVA but…</p>
<p>You have a lot to consider. As you have already discovered Ga Tech ranks higher than UVa in engineering. that on its own doesnt have to be a deal buster but try to learn more about what research and internship opportunities would be available to you at each. Do they host engineering career fairs? What kind of placement success do they have for their graduates in your field?</p>
<p>I usually ascribe to the perspective that it is possible to get a good education many places and it is about you, the student, more than it is about the school. On the other hand, in terms of job placement or grad school placement, you may want to look more closely.</p>
<p>The $10k per year less is significant though on the other hand, you may find a job when you graduate from Ga Tech that pays enough more per year to make up that difference in short order.</p>
<p>Are you okay with being farther from home oor are you life loyal to Virginia? Are you adventurous and interested in getting outside of your comfort zone or would you be more comfortable going with the familiar?</p>
<p>Good luck deciding. Both great choices.</p>
<p>I’m definitely going to look into research opportunities at both Universities. I don’t truly know how I feel about having to be so far away from home. I imagine that I’ll be fine, but I won’t have the luxury to go home for the weekend every once in a while. How was life at UVA for you? What can you tell me about your personal experiences there?</p>
<p>I honestly would attend UVa. You’ll save $40,000 over 4 years, which isn’t an insignificant amount of money. Plus going home on the weekends seems to be important to you, which is totally okay and definitely something to take into account. They’re both well-reputed programs for your major, and I don’t think you have to worry about employment options coming from UVa. Both universities will offer opportunities for research.</p>
<p>Employment in Biomedical Engineering requires a masters degree (in most cases). For that reason many schools don’t offer it at bachelor level (instead students earn a BS in EE, ME, ChemE, etc and then a masters in Biomedical). I noticed that few Biomedical Master degree’s are awarded each year at UVa, which makes me think many of the students are getting Biomedical degrees and then applying to med school (or transferring to another school for the masters program)</p>
<p><a href=“College Navigator - University of Virginia-Main Campus”>College Navigator - University of Virginia-Main Campus;
<p>What’s your plans after you’ve earn your BS? If you plan on applying to med school, then UVa is the easy choice. If you want to work in the field, you need to think about getting a masters degree. It’s a perfectly valid path to get your BS at UVA and THEN your masters at GT. </p>
<p>^^yes I know someone who got BS UVA MS GT, happens all the time. See if your parents will set aside the 40k for grad school. </p>
<p>My daughter is trying to make the same decision and she has two friends doing the same. All three are choosing between UVA and GT, all with different engineering majors. Have you attended Days on the Lawn? We are going in April. My daughter is doing a lot of research but I think it is going to come down to “what place just feels right.” Either way, you will be at a wonderful school with many opportunities. Best of luck.</p>
<p>One of my sons is a UVa engineering grad and loved his experience there. He had no problem getting internships , interviews from UVa. Also had a great time socially and met life long friends. UVa has a very strong alumni network.They also have good career services It seems to come down to fit and cost. These seem to be very different schools socially. Good luck with the decision.</p>
<p>^^^what everyone else said. It’s clear to me that UVA is the correct choice given what you’ve told us. Two great schools.</p>
<p>They are both great schools so there is no wrong choice here. It sound like you feel more comfortable with UVa plus the school is $10,000/year less expensive so it seems like you made your own decision. Go to UVa and don’t look back.</p>
<p>My son is also deciding between GA Tech and other schools. We went to an Admitted Student weekend at GA Tech where we talked to students at lunch in town- 2 went to GAT one had recently graduated from UVa and worked nearby, and one had gone to U of Illinois and had transferred to GAT. The one from UVa had taken a couple of additional classes at GAT and that’s how he met the others. It will interest you to know that he felt there was no real difference with his education and that of his friends at GA. He felt the classes he had taken at both were comparable in difficulty and scope. The one who had one attend the U of Illinois was from Georgia. He wanted to go out of state to experience another area, but transferred back to GA Tech because of the financial strain. He said his classes at both were similar. He made friends at both and was over-all happy with his experience at GA Tech. His only regret with transferring was that he missed the friends back at Illinois.</p>
<p>College is about what you make of it. HS is behind you and no one will ever ask about what you did there. They will want to see what you do with your college career. You have total ability to decide how you will spend your time making the most of the programs the school you choose has to offer. An elite education in of itself does not make you successful. Your choices will do that. My husband and I are a “rags to riches” success story- and we attended unranked public schools. If you study ranking systems, you will see it is far from the most important thing job recruiters look for in a hire. If I had any say in your choice, I would tell you to go to UVa. Save the $$. Visit your family and step out boldly to make the most of your time and opportunities while there.</p>