<p>I'm from Northern Virginia (emphasis on northern :) ).</p>
<p>I have gotten into Georgia Tech for engineering, and am waiting to hear from UVa (also for engineering). If I do get in, I'm not yet sure which one I would go to. Georgia Tech has a much better engineering program, but would cost more because it is OOS. UVa has a decent engineering program, an excellent all-around reputation, and is much cheaper for me. However, I also got into VaTech which is in state and has a better engineering program than UVa. My problem is that I want to go to UVa, but I don't know if it is a bad decision to do so when I got into Georgia Tech. Some of my friends have said that going to UVa for engineering is better because it gives you more options to explore interests, while Georgia Tech has a strict engineering curriculum. </p>
<p>Then again, I might not get in to UVa, in which case I would go to Gatech. I the reason I want to go to UVa so much is that it was my favorite campus that I have visited and I have friends going there now who told me great things about it. On the other hand, I'll be visiting Georgia Tech in the next month, maybe I'll like it.</p>
<p>I was accepted to GA Tech and was at first really excited but also in the same situation as you. I am OOS as well and although it is probably relatively expensive (compared to UVa in-state) the price of Ga Tech is very low compared to almost any other school of its caliber. Here’s my analysis of the situation.</p>
<p>I have heard from an overwhelming majority of Ga Tech students that I have talked to in person and through writing (as well as read in multiple places with student and professional reviews) that Ga Tech can be unbearable at times. I want you to keep this very much in mind and bring it to your attention if it hasn't yet been done. The environment of the school is frequently described as broken spirited, stressed and simply unhappy. Why? Well the curriculum and competition of the school in conjunction with many other factors creates cutthroat competition and A LOT of work. Now I am all for working hard and working a lot.... I am in no means a slacker, but neither are the people I have spoken to. The environment is referred to as "Ivy-like" and I personally stayed far away from small schools and Ivies because I didn't want that type of life or education. The deal with grades: it is well known that it is tremendously difficult to obtain a high GPA there... I've talked to 3-4 transfer students (a few that transferred TO Ga Tech and a few that transferred OUT) and they all said that it was much more difficult to obtain above average grades at Ga Tech compared to their transferred school. This frustrated all of them because for the amount of work they were doing, it was not being shown through their stats. It was preparing them for real life but most of these people say the pros were not worth the cons. Not only this but Ga Tech does not carry SO much weight to its name that this drop in GPA is compensated for... especially in relation to such a good school as UVa. Even if the name DID carry the weight you must ask yourself, " is it worth possibly not having the college experience and possibly being completely miserable for the next couple of years?". You may not have this experience... but it's something Ga Tech is VERY well known for when you talk within the student body. Not having a very great social life, very hard curriculum and being surrounded by an environment that may not be very attractive to you....</p>
<p>UVa is a very very good school. Like your peers have said, it also gives you options which Ga Tech does not. Not having options other than engineering did bother me greatly when considering Ga Tech. I've always been an engineer, before the time I knew there was a special name for it... but college is a time to explore, especially the first few years while doing core courses. The stats you hear about people changing their majors are incredible and can teach you a great lesson in itself. Personally I'd do some more research and talk to many more people before considering Ga Tech. It may be for you... but you seem to be in the EXACT situation I was a month ago and you seem to feel the same way I did back then. I was ecstatic I had gotten in (as a white male from oos mind you) to such a prestigious school... but please don't take it at face value. There is a lot for you to know and I urge you to go find that information as well as visit the schools. I will be told that "some people like a school and some people hate it.... and that happens everywhere". That was my first thought when I started talking to people as well. But from someone who was in your position and has gone out to see what Ga Tech was all about I urge you to go and talk to people and use all the resources you have in the library and online. </p>
<p>Sorry to be such a downer... I'm actually a really happy upbeat guy ;D It's just I literally was in this same situation a month ago and I could have easily taken things as they came and not realized what was under the sugarcoated admissions websites and such :D... again it may be what you want, and to me it seems unappealing. No matter what I hope you make that decision and make the best of it! That's the most important thing!</p>
<p>In conclusion, personally, I'd choose UVa for a multitude of reasons... but you really need to make the decision on your own. If you ever want to talk please don't hesitate to shoot me a PM. I wish you the best of luck and heck, you have the choice between UVa(hopefully) VaTEch and GT... life's is ok ;p</p>
<p>well academically, the choice is GT, but GT isn't a great place for college. UVA has a much much much better atmosphere. I dont think it's worth it paying OOS tuition for GT.</p>
<p>if you do some research, you'll find that UVa's engineering program is no worse than pretty much any other engineering program. you arn't choosing between UVa and Caltech, you're choosing between UVa and Gtech.</p>
<p>i've said it before, and i'll say it again - UVa engineering grads, in a program which is "ranked" in the 30s, make the same amount of money first year out as Michigan engineering grads, which has a "top 5" engineering program. I'm not going to look up the source right now cause ive done it 39429x before, but just go to the career webpage of each schools e-school. Unless you can justify going to Gtech over UVa, i would say theres 0 reason to go there - especially when you're paying instate tuition at UVa.</p>
<p>Jags is right about the "real comparison" here. That being said, I'd take another look at Virginia Tech, an engineering program that is stronger than U of Virginia. And Blacksburg is great college town.</p>
<p>Please understand that the rankings of engineering schools are done by peer assessment, only, as far as I can tell (at least with US News). There may be other rankings of which I'm unaware. If, however, you or others are basing the relative quality of programs on this peer assessment, I think it might be important to understand that the rankings may be influenced by the size of the program and the research reputation of the program.</p>
<p>I'm not as down on peer assessment as many other people. I think it's valuable information when taken in the context of what it is and what it isn't. But I think that peer assessment is quite likely to weight towards larger programs. That's not always unjustified. But I think one should ask oneself if it's important in a particular instance.</p>
<p>I know little about engineering programs, but I confess that I find it hard to visualize what an undergraduate will get from one program that he/she will not get from another, other than:</p>
<ol>
<li>Research opportunities (if desired)</li>
<li> Hands-on engineering opportunities</li>
<li> Strength of competition</li>
<li> Number of classes in a particular area of specialty</li>
</ol>
<p>You might want to explore those issues when making your decision.</p>
<p>I think I read in an article that 2/3 of all engineering majors drop out after the first year. I'd say that you should go to UVA...there are so many options outside of engineering. If you went to GT and decided to change majors, you'd kick yourself. UVA is just an overall better school, in my opinion. Everyone I know who goes there LOVES it...the same can't be said about GT.</p>
<p>Very true post ^^^^. The last line is really good! At Ga Tech, if you decide you may want to drop engineering like those 2/3rds, you will realize you can't and either continue doing something you don't love as much as you should or.... transfer. UVa is awesome, don't look back!</p>
<p>Wow, thanks for all of the help. I'm definitely in the same situation as you, tntny2fla, and your post was really useful. I've done some more research and talked to some friends about this so I'm starting to see UVa as the best choice for me. Now i just have to get in... if not, I think I would do fine at Ga Tech. I'm doing excellent in classes like AP Physics C and AP Comp Sci so I doubt I would hate engineering enough to drop out.</p>
<p>I got into GT and UVA both in December, OVERWHELMINGLY I knew UVA was a better place for me. I'll repeat what people said. Better atmosphere, not stressed out freaking out students, other GREAT things to study than engineering, underrated engineering (I'm going for engineering too), incredible school pride, great parties, great community feel, all the people are nice, Charlottesville is BEAUTIFUL (recently called #1 city to live in America)...
UVA is the shiznit basically
See you on grounds next year.</p>
<p>I'd probably go to UVA. I think that you will get a much better overall college experience there. Nonetheless, you have a pair of great colleges and you really can't go wrong with either.</p>
<p>Make sure that you do choose for yourself. After looking at UVA as an in state student, I'm rather hesitant about it. I don't think it is the place for me. In state, a lot of people around here in northern virginia only seem to worry about the big three... UVA, Virginia Tech, William and Mary. They don't look out of state, simply those. You need to decide for yourself where you fit. Where can you picture yourself? Can you live there for (at least) four years?</p>
<p>Some of my cons for UVA are some of the things the other poster above me listed as pros. Everywhere is different for everyone else. As an example, I want to go somewhere large and in the city. UVA is in a small area.</p>
<p>I'd go with UVA. You might think you're truly interested in engineering, but people always tend to develop doubt once in college and you don't want to lock yourself into one path that you mind end up unhappy with.</p>
<p>Both UVa and GaTech are fine choices (as is VaTech)...so you should just go to which is the best match for you and your finances. Besides, this is only your undergraduate degree...the progams are largely boiler-plate at this level of education. Go where you will be most happy.</p>
<p>I don't think Gatech is that negative or hard to get a good gpa in. My brother there is currently maintaining a gpa higher than 3.5. Not only that he has a great social life. Every weekend he parties with friends. He's enjoying his spring break at Panama City right now. If you have a strong background/interest in engineering/comp science, go for Gatech. But if you have other interests as well (like maybe a strong liberal arts orientation), Virginia which is better ranked overall would be a wiser choice.</p>
<p>Go to UVa. College is about more than an engineering degree. At UVa, you will make friends with people who are in other fields, and will have better options for taking courses yourself in other fields. Plus, you save money. Sounds good all around.</p>