Emory University vs University of Washington - Applied Math

College Search & Selection
,
1

I was admitted to both Emory and UW, and am currently trying to decide between the two. My intended major is Applied Math. For context, I’m an international student, and the cost of attendance isn’t a worry at either school as both are affordable. I’ll list the pros and cons below.

Emory:

Pros:

Better student to faculty ratio, smaller classrooms

More prestigious

Study Abroad program with Oxford University (Very interested)

Vibe more with their campus

Nice Weather

QTM department (my major is in this department) is exceptionally good and heavily funded.

Has a prestigious business school in case I intend to double major in econ or business.

Great advising and other such resources

Cons:

Location isn’t the best with employment.

UDub:

Pros:

The location is nice with employment.

My parents know people who live there and if needed could take care.

The STEM program is arguably a bit better.

Cons:

The campus is too huge.

Chance I might not get my intended major given its high competitiveness.

Class sizes are huge, do not like the lack of attention.

Changing majors is very difficult.

Not the biggest fan of the weather, since it rains a lot.

No freedom to choose courses.

Doesn’t have the best social life.

Doesn’t have the best departmental and academic advising.

I would appreciate any advice or recommendations, thank you!!

2

Tbh, employment shouldn’t be a concern for international students as most would end up working in another city in the US or go back to their home country. Also, I don’t think international students can work while they r still on their student visa, so I don’t rly understand the con for Emory

1 Like
3

Since a lot of tech companies are based in Seattle, internship opportunities would be better,however, I do understand your point. In comparison to the opportunities at UW, it is a con is what I intended.

4

You won’t have an issues with internships or jobs after graduation with Emory.

5

I’ve been a bit paranoid about that but mostly due to parental pressure, thank you!

6

I think you list all the great things about Emory, all the shortfalls of UW, and by the way Atlanta is a huge job magnet with more large and medium size companies moving in every month.

Given costs are the same and based on your writeup, there really is no question that Emory is where you belong.

3 Likes
7

You really can’t go wrong with either. One thing I might tell you is it rains a lot in Atlanta in the winter. Average rainfall is less in Seattle Jan-May than Atlanta. Look it up. It’s cloudier, but less rain.

I really like UDub and Seattle is terrific, but so is Atlanta.

1 Like
8

Regarding Weather: While it does rain a lot in both Atlanta & Seattle, Seattle is cloudy & overcast much of the time while Atlanta is usually sunny.

2 Likes
9

Yeah the weather at both places is great and both are great schools, I’m just having a really tough time deciding

10

Thanks a lot!!

11

The weather at both places is great,however, the quality of both schools is what is making it tough to decide

12

Not sure why it’s so tough ? Read your initial message…u say a lot of great things about Emory and two of your only three great things about Washington are internships…which has already been somewhat debunked…and your parents know people in Seattle.

Seems you made your choice already. Perhaps you are the only one not seeing this ??

13

I’m unable to decide due to parental pressure mostly. My parents said they won’t be happy if I went to Emory, and I would feel guilty if I forcefully went there despite their feelings around it. That is the main reason I’m unable to decide.

14

I feel ya. Idk about you but I had Asian parents that only wanted me to go to schools that they themselves have heard of.

15

Indian parents but ya they have spoken to a lot of people, all of whom recommended UW which is why they want me going there and also since the HQs of large companies are in Seattle which would make it somewhat easier to get internships and employment. However, I just don’t know if I should risk possibly not getting my major at UW over Emory.

16

If you were a Washington State resident and Emory cost 2-3x as much, I would understand the argument for UW. But in your situation, Emory looks like the winner, for all of the reasons you already listed. QTM is a stand-out undergrad program, and fundamentally you like the school better. I don’t see why you’d have trouble getting internships from Emory. Why should you have to stress about getting into your major, being able to add a double-major or change majors or do whatever you want, as you can at Emory? UW is an excellent flagship university, but the additional layers of bureaucracy and competition for resources are the tradeoff for an affordable education for state residents whose taxes support the school. You’d get no discount but still accept the compromises, when you have another option that doesn’t demand those compromises. Makes no sense to me. Spend a summer with your family friends and take some summer classes during summer open enrollment at UW if you want a taste of that region and experience.

1 Like
17

Thanks a lot!! I get your point

18

Let’s see. One is ranked 21, one is ranked 58. One is elite. One is a solid state school.

Google. Facebook. Microsoft. Oracle. Booming in Atlanta. Nashville. Other southern cities.

Btw every app you fill out will ask you if you are a US Citizen and note they don’t sponsor foreign students.

In Seattle you have a lot more competition.

Your parents don’t know the market.

You need to spend four years there. Do you want to be unhappy or pursue the one you want ? Time to be an adult and explain to your parents the reality.

If they will only send you to UW, well it is their $$ and you can go from there.

On a national level, yes Emory does not have great brand recognition. Like Rice and WUSTL it’s a tad under the radar. On the other hand, UW is a solid, very good but not high level flagship. Yes location does lead to jobs. San Jose St is a huge supplier to Silicon Valley companies even though it’s a regional school.

If monies are similar, it’s time to learn the art of selling and sell your parents on what’s best for u.

19

I understand what you’re saying and completely agree. I will need to have to sell it to my parents, thanks a lot for the motivation, ill convince them as to why Emory will be better. Again, thanks a lot!!

20

Lesson for life. The most important skill to help get you through. Sales. Everyone says I’m not interested in selling. It’s why I study law or accounting or engineering. But we all need to sell. The product…ourselves

Good luck.

Show them your list. It’s a great tool if you lut the pros side by side…but don’t expect an internship. I hope you find someone to sponsor you but it’s unlikely.

Go on a amazon or moscrust website. Pull up a job app which you’ll need to fill out. It’ll tell you right there and you can show your folks.

UW is a solid school but honestly it’s not on the same plateau as Emory. It’s a few notches down. Certain majors…of course it may be stronger. But In general.

Good luck

1 Like