I’m trying to decide between the two. I’m planning on pursuing Civil Engineering with a focus in Environmental Engineering. Austin seems like the perfect city for me and my personality. I love how modern it is and how it appeals to the student life. Atlanta, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be the place for younger students. I feel like there is more to do in Austin.
GT:
It’s closer to home
I’m a girl, so the ratio of men to women is really good for me
More prestige
Great engineering program
More likely to get a job right after graduating
Super techy school, not sure how I feel about that since I’m not that into computer science
but…
Atlanta doesn’t have the culture that I want
It doesn’t seem to appeal to people ages 18-25
There’s not all that much for students to do off campus
Austin:
I absolutely love the culture of the city
It fits my personality
Apparently Austin has super hot girls (read this on Quora), so the ratio wouldn’t be that good for me
More rounded college, more chances of meeting other people with different personalities
Still a great engineering program
Farther from home, but not too far
More things to do off campus
Is there a price difference? As a woman in engineering I would not be concerned about the M/F ratio /competition (how many of those gals are engineers?) at all . Both Atlanta and Austin have lots of tech jobs, but Atlanta has the edge in corporate internships. Austin has more CS and startups.
Austin has amazing music and bars, still priced for students.
You have to go a little further away from Campus for more social activities at GT, they are definitely there.
I’d apply to both and make a choice after you are accepted.
Atlanta is a great city - I’m biased, because I grew up and went to college there, but there’s tons to do in Atlanta for the 18-25 set. In my experience, Atlanta has a lot more 18+ clubs and venues than most other cities (in New York, for example, it was hard to find something to take my sister to do when she was still under 21). There’s also lots of stuff to do off-campus for students; we got into stuff in the city all the time. And Atlanta’s only grown in the 7 years since I’ve graduated college and left the area. (And personally, when I visited Austin, I didn’t like it that much - it seemed way overhyped.)
Still, though, I think this is really a matter of what you want. Both UT-Austin and GT have excellent engineering programs with lots of options post-college. You seem to prefer Austin a lot, and you seem to want a more well-rounded experience. UT-Austin is going to be more like your big stereotypical public university experience - big sports, lots of majors so you can make non-technie friends, lots of activities. Austin also has a thriving tech community and is growing into a techie hub - much moreso than Atlanta - so I feel like you will more easily find a part-time job during the academic year if you want to.
Also, why are you trying to decide in the middle of the summer? Have you applied to both and been accepted?
If you are a resident of GA or TX that would make a huge price difference and should be part of the equation. I know people who are very happy at both schools so I would apply and see what happens. If you get into both schools you can always make another visit to each campus before deciding.