Georgia Tech vs. Maryland

College Search & Selection
1

So right now it is looking like these two are my top choices (Both OOS, roughly same price)

I know Georgia Tech is excellent for engineering and ranks as one of the best which is great considering I am an engineering major.

However, I am not a super techy guy. I am a fan of math and physics as well as engineering and could not picture myself in another major, but absolutely wouldn’t be able to stand it if that’s all I ever did and all anyone ever wanted to talk about. I still want that college experience with normal people who are willing to have a good time and do things outside of schoolwork. I also don’t want to be constantly miserable due to the poor ratio and constant studying and extreme stress (And short breaks, I heard tech goes to school longer than any college/univ in America).

For this reason I am also considering Maryland, which is top 25 for engineering and is overall a really strong school. I know it doesn’t quite compare to Tech for engineering, but I feel like I’d be able to enjoy my experience a little more and get to have a more fulfilling college experience, while still getting a good degree. One I can look back on and be happy with the experience instead of saying "Glad that’s over! " -An overwhelming number of tech grads.

     General Breakdown:

If I go to Tech I’m throwing away a fulfilling diverse college experience, but getting an education from a world renowned engineering school. It is a huge opportunity and I feel like I might regret not taking a chance here.

If I go to Maryland I’m throwing away my shot at going to one of the worlds best in trade for a potentially better experience with people more like me, yet a degree that doesn’t carry quite the same weight (but is still top of the line, no disrespect to the program itself, its just GT is literally 3rd in the country).

I’m honestly torn. I worked diligently for 4 years of my life to create opportunities and get into schools like Tech, and I can’t justify not going after all that work. When I first got in I was super happy, a little in shock, and set on going - but was disappointed to hear all the negative feedback from current and past students when I started looking further into the university itself. I just can’t justify making myself miserable for 4 years and missing out on a big part of my life. But I also can’t justify not taking up this insane opportunity.

BTW I’m thankful I even get the chance to go to college and I know how lucky I am to get into schools like Tech and Maryland. I know many kids would kill to get into those schools, especially for engineering, but I still have to make the decision and I just don’t know what to do, because academic excellence as well as my own happiness are two things that I ideally would want both of.

I am not asking anyone to make the decision for me but If anyone has some more information on some of the points I brought up, or maybe something I am misinterpreting, that would drastically help me in my decision. Thanks.

2

Georgia Tech is a better “Student experience” than you’re making it out to be, and Maryland is a top engineering school. You can’t go wrong at either school. They will have different vibes, and a far higher % of undergraduates will be engineering students at GT vs UMD, but in general graduates from both schools are happy with their experience.

Good Luck!

3

My D went to Tech. She was not an engineering major. She worked hard but still had a good time. Do you have any questions about student life?

4

Congrats on your hard work and success! Yes, Georgia Tech is more of a traditional college experience than you are thinking. You’d be fine as a physics/math student, maybe less so as an English major. The gender ratio might be a consideration if that is important to you. I consider it a factor to consider myself, but my son is attending a school with a similar ratio and had a girlfriend about week 2. Anecdotally, from personal observations at some similar schools, so many guys are spending lots of time playing video games that socially there can be a gender balance, even if the student body is not balanced.

From what you say, though, it sounds like Maryland might be a better fit for you. It is also an excellent university. It is much more important HOW you go to school than WHERE. If you go to UMD, work hard, do well in your classes, conduct yourself decorously, and treat EVERYONE with dignity and respect, you will be well positioned for a successful life, monetarily and otherwise. Remember you are not just picking a reputation but a place where you will learn and live for most of four years. Good luck–with the decision, with college, with life!

5

The GT of today is a lot different than the GT of even a few years ago. The M/F ratio, especially for undergrads, is becoming a lot more balanced. There is a lot more entrepreneurial activity. The quality of students is even higher than before. Yes, it is a ton of work - but so is every good engineering program in the country. And the networking, career placement and alumni network are first rate and improving. The location in Atlanta makes internships easy and convenient. And you still have the Olympic athletic facilities.

From an entertainment and social perspective, the location in Atlanta is also first rate. You have 3 or 4 universities within a few miles, Buckhead a bit further on the train, and all the perks of living in the economic and cultural capital of the south. The airport is 15 min away on the subway. There is even a shuttle bus back and forth to Emory.

So I would weigh whether you want an urban university experience in a top 5 program or a more suburban campus one in an excellent but not quite top program.

6

Can you visit accepted student days at each, and then decide? I can see why you might be drawn to UMD given your interests.

7

Thank you for the input everyone! This will help me a lot moving forward, I am going to be visiting both colleges soon, and will let you know how the decision goes.

8

In the old days, yes, GT is the better choice. Nowadays, you better choose the college that offers more majors so that you have the chances to select more interesting courses from different majors and departments. Remember it is AI era, if you focus on engineering, interdisciplinary is the key to be successful in the future.

9

Other factor - paying OOS tuition for a 9th or 10th semester adds up fast. Most of the kids we know at GaTech are taking 9 or 10 academic semesters to graduate. Tech likes to say yes but mostly due to co-ops - which is not what we hear from kids and parents. No recent info on UMD.

10

9 or 10 semesters is the norm in engineering simply because of the larger requirements for a major. Without a lot of AP credits it is very difficult to graduate in 8 semesters.

11

http://profiles.asee.org/profiles/7499/screen/23 says that the average program length for GT engineering majors is 4.50 years (9 semesters). However, https://coe.gatech.edu/co-opinternship says that 35% of GT students do co-ops, which may affect this number.

http://profiles.asee.org/profiles/7208/screen/23 says 4.10 years (a little more than 8 semesters) for UMCP engineering majors.

To the OP: do you have in-state or less expensive choices, and does the price difference matter to you and your family?

12

Some other items to consider:

a) GTech has over 50% undergrads doing a semester or more overseas. My D2 just finished a semester at the GTech campus in Metz France.
b) Very easy to get part time jobs in the Atlanta area during the semester and internships/co-ops in the region. In fact D2 is very specific about her area/company of interest - Industrial Design at Consulting firms - and she has had no problems in landing gigs. She is majoring in Mech Eng.

13

In the same boat as the OP. Georgia tech Vs UMD for CS. So confused right now. Son got into the honors college with ACES(cyber security) LLP at Maryland.Also got a 12K/yr presidential scholarship. We are OOS to both the places.At UMD he has the possibility of double majoring in CS/Math which may not be very possible at GTech. He is also somebody who is interested in quiz bowl and Maryland is very active in that area. Having said all that GTech is one of the best schools for CS in the country and don’t want to make a decision that he is going to regret later.This is so hard.Any more insights into these schools as far as job opportunities,career fairs,internships,success in getting into good grad schools will be greatly appreciated.Thank you

14

@priya2015 For CS, GT and UMD are fairly close (in rankings and such things). The same when it comes to landing CS jobs, internships and being prepared for grad school. I wouldn’t lose any sleep when it comes to picking one over the other. If UMD is the better “fit”, then pick it. He’ll not have any regrets. :slight_smile:

This is the link to UMD’s 2016 Graduation Survey Report. Page 41 breaks down the results for the College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences.

https://careers.umd.edu/sites/careers.umd.edu/files/2016%20Graduation%20Survey%20Report%20Final%20Web%20Version_5.pdf

15

@Gator88NE …thank you so much for taking the time to reply…the link is very insightful.

16

We are in the same boat, our D got into GT and UMD for BME. Still waiting to hear from a few more schools. It’s a tough decision. Visiting both schools to help her decide where she wants to spend the next 4-5 years.

17

My S is dealing with the same scenario. GT or UMD. Has anyone decided yet?

18

Not yet…going to the UMD admitted students day March 30…hopefully there will be a decision after that.We have visited GTech last year,but won’t be able to go for the admitted student day…so if anybody went for one or one of the gold carpet days…please let us know how that was.

19

My S is also visiting UMD on the 30th. He went to GT on March 9th and was given a tour of the campus by a graduate from his HS. He also went to a couple engineering info sessions. It really helped to get a Freshman’s perspective. She loves it there and is doing well but admits it is very rigorous. Hoping March 30th helps him decide between these two great choices. For me - UMD is 9 hours closer to home so I am bias. :slight_smile:

20

We visited GT and my D really liked it. I think she is leaning towards GT. She feels it’s too great of an opportunity to walk away. Planning to visit UMD soon.