Hi, I need some advice/opinions/second thoughts on making my college choice for undecided engineering major. I was accepted into Georgia Tech regular decision with no frills or attachments, just the regular old acceptance. I was also accepted into SMU’s Hunt & Hilltop scholars’ programs as well as receiving the Dean’s and a Engineering department scholarship. So, the cost of the two colleges are about the same. My dad is GT alum so I have that going for me there, but I also have family in Dallas which is beneficial there. By the logistics numbers alone, both schools are about the same in my mind, except that GT is slightly ahead of SMU based on name value alone (I see it as Mercedes vs Cadillac).
Here’s where things get hairy.
I’d consider myself a moderately preppy/urban, fiscally conservative, socially liberal, outgoing, athletic, not bookworm but overall smart kid. If I was a total nerd, I wouldn’t even be thinking about this and would have just gone off to Tech, but if I was go Greek or go home kinda kid I would’ve already picked SMU. I’m caught in between the fear that I’m going to be potentially stuck with a bunch of a) dudes and b) socially inept nerds at GT while on the flip side I’m going to be trapped with FRAT and GREEK bros that love being total bros. I exist somewhere in between those happy extremes. Can anyone attest to either experience?
Next, the academics.
I know Georgia Tech will “open more doors” and be a “more prestigious degree” than SMU. But again is that worth “throwing out” my mostly social life to achieve? Also why take 5 years to graduate from tech (that’s when most people do it) when I could be getting a 5 year master/bachelors or double major at SMU? Does the name on the degree really even matter if I want to go to grad school? Which would be better if I wanted to go to grad school? I do feel that I would be one of the “smarter people on campus” at SMU but things like the Hunt scholars should help with that. Even still, one could say the “academic pressure” is undoubtedly higher at tech, and I think that me being me would rise to that pressure and meet it where I would need to. Not that that’s a bad thing for SMU. I feel that although the pressure is lower, I have the potential (and knowing me in high vs low pressure situations) to go beyond that level to perhaps the GT level or even beyond. Is that feel-good ideaology of pushing myself past the expectations even worth anything in the real world though or is doing the bare minimum with the better name on the diploma better?
These are the types of loaded questions I can’t answer so that I can give myself an answer to where to go for college. At this point, I feel that my experiences will be so similar that I really can’t go wrong with either of my choices. It’s just a matter of which is the “more right” choice for me. Any thoughts, anecdotes, opinions, or anything is greatly appreciated.
(Also this is my first time posting to this website… A) did I post this correctly? B) should I cross post it over in the SMU board?)
I’m not sure where to begin with this post. I graduated from high school a couple of decades ago - but I was a 4.6 gpa Valedictorian and had taken many Honors/AP courses. I got my butt-kicked at SMU in the engineering school - I had to fight every semester to keep my engineering scholarship. Until you have that engineering course load (anywhere) I wouldn’t be quite so cocky. Engineering is a LOT of work. You aren’t going to be “trapped” with any kind of person or any situation at any college - that is your own choice to make friends and join organizations/clubs/fraternities and surround yourself with people you want to be with. If you aren’t going to respect your degree from SMU or be proud of it, don’t go there.
Thanks for the response. Sorry if I sounded condescending of SMU and its level of education. I love the place very much and I think it’s a great respectable school. However, to ignore the fact that GT’s standards and just reputation for difficulty would be a mistake. This isn’t about tooting my own horn to random anonymous strangers. However, I did sit in on multiple sophomore/Junior level classes at SMU and was able to follow along quite well for never having taken any engineering classes. Is that bad? Probably not. Regardless, thank you for showing that there are people who view SMU with a stroke of reverence when it comes to its difficulty. People on this website tend to have an affinity to speak of the on the books difficulty vs the difficulty you put on yourself at the college.
As for the social aspect, “trapped” was a bad word to use. I recognize that I’ll probably find the same group of friends at both places. The less bookworm kids at GT, and the less frat kids at SMU. I don’t really know what I’m asking because both of the colleges are so similar, but your anecdote was very helpful, thank you.
If costs are relatively similar I’m going GT every time.
You might meet a socially inept nerd who is the next tech billionaire. 
If the cost are the same, go where you like best. SMU in this case seems to have more opportunities, since their ROI for you will be good, and you are an honors student, meaning you will be preferred for opportunities. It looks like at SMU you will be a big fish in a small pond, whereas at GT you will be a small fish in a big pond. Both schools are great, and will give you a lot of opportunities, but you need to know what you want out of the school. Do you want a job right after your B.S.? Do you want to go to Grad school?
Based on your input, I think that SMU will give you an ability to excel, but if you like GT, then by all means. In this case, you are comparing Apples and Oranges, really, there is no right answer. GT may be a bit more powerful if you are wanting to get a job right after graduation, but SMU is kind of the same because you are an honors student and so its hard to say what’s the right choice here.
I went to SMU and my son goes to Georgia Tech. Tech is WAY better for an engineering degree. Also, you should want to surround yourself with the best and brightest people. These people will become your life long-friends. Once you visit Tech you will realize how great it is. You must visit for yourself before you make a decision. Good Luck!
I just got back from the GT Denver alumni and admitted students party. (my son is choosing GT) All I can say is, I think the nerds at GT are hard drinking and partying at their fraternities. (and studying some but not as hard as some other places I have been! ) There is a huge Greek scene at GT. Did you visit this campus and learn about greek life there? Yes some will be service oriented, but there are athletic frats and every type of frat at GT. While there will be the awkward types at GT, I think you can find your tribe at GT. Go for GT over SMU. GT will open more doors, and might as well see what your are made of, as far as can you get As at GT? Alumni network is fantastic at GT, goes all the way to Boston and to the west coast. SMU, I did know it was Southern Methodist, but a lot of engineers would not recognize it outside of Texas.
Engineers are famous everywhere for their substance abuse habits. I am from the east and the 1970s drug era, but I gather that GT is no different for alcohol consumption. They may not be into drugs the way the northeast is, but I would guess that Dallas is not a druggy place either.
engineering = gt
humanities, sciences, and business = smu
although hunt scholarship is hard to walk away from