Hi guys I was recently accepted into both Georgia Tech and UCLA for Computer Science (I want to end up double majoring/minoring with econ).
I’m OOS for both and I’m guessing that in the end they’ll both end up being the same price (10k merit from UCLA and not really eligible for financial aid from Georgia Tech).
The most important thing for me is the opportunities available at both of these schools - I want to be able to intern and research.
Thanks in advance!!
UCLA for sure
GT. Better school and breathable air. The coop program at GT is excellent . Less hot but more humid. I prefer Atlanta over LA as a more livable city, and airport access is a 25 min subway ride away (10 min walk to station from campus). Most of the cultural attractions at Atlanta are available via public transit too.
I doubt you’re going to be able to double major at UCLA, at least if you plan on graduating in 4 years. Too many requirements for the CS degree. But go ahead and download the sample CS curriculum, then try to find room to take the Econ classes.
My guess is that you’re confused about what this double-major will buy you. A lot of kids think of Econ as somewhat akin to a business-major lite, so you see the combo as giving you an entree into a great job out of college and the fastrack for mgmt once working. It’s not. An Econ degree from many schools is straight theory and has little direct applicability towards business, even though Econ sounds like it ought to be studying what businesses do. UCLA does offer a Business-Econ degree, but most use that to prepare to be accountants; the major does not have a lot of traditional business school content.
I don’t know how a double-major would work at GT.
As for choosing, visit both if you can and pick the one that’s a better fit. I don’t know the job market in Atlanta. In CA there is a lot of tech in the LA area and of course you have Silicon Valley a few hours north.
My son was EE at Tech so I asked many in high tech if they recruited there. EVERYONE said they always had Georgia Tech on their list of universities to recruit even during the Great Recession. If you are planning to spend the summer there, yes it’s hot. But if you are planning to work summers they have lots of companies on campus looking to hire students. For CS, hands down Tech has the better reputation. EE majors could not double major unless they brought in a ton of AP credit or stayed another year. Many go on to get an MBA later on.
Yes, it’s super convenient to get around. We were from out of state and the cost was far less than Michigan and privates because we didn’t qualify for aid. Came down to Michigan or Tech and Michigan was $17K a year more expensive to start with! No brainer.
If you are from California, then the cost will be much less at UCLA and it’s of course, a great university with a solid reputation. Would assume Silicon Valley recruits there but honestly not sure.
Now UCLA is a great university and many would love to be in your situation!
Good luck with your choice.