I was accepted to both OOS for computer engineering.
Money is not a factor.
I am girl.
I live in FL so the Atlanta weather and closeness to home are huge pluses.
I have a few questions about the schools:
What is the social scene/school culture like?
What is the mentality like among engineering students? Is it more like “every man for himself” or “we’re all in this together”? (I’d prefer the latter.)
I’ve heard rumors that Georgia Tech is notorious for GPA deflation. How true is this?
In terms of job prospects, does one offer an advantage?
The most important factors for me are overall college experience and job prospects.
Have you visited? They are very different campuses, GT is in the heart of Atlanta and UIUC is in a small city in downstate Illinois and fairly isolated.
GT is 60/40 MF (current freshman class) but 70/30 when you include grad students, UIUC is about 50/50
GT is mostly science and engineering, UIUC is a full service university with a more diverse culture and definitely more artsy. GT is more racially diverse but UIUC has a lot more internationals (>20%).
Social life is more subdued at GT, but you have access to all of Atlanta. Some social life is at Emory (nearby)
UIUC has more of a typical large university experience; more sports, more liberal arts, more balanced Greek life.
There is definitely grade deflation at GT, but that is also typical of engineering schools. This should not affect you if you are not on scholarship or for grad school because GT’s policies are well known. That being said, many students are on Zell Miller scholarships so students are very serious. All engineering schools emphasis collaboration and teamwork because that is what engineers do. IMO, GT is more cutting edge in its outlook.
Both are top 10 programs and you will have many job prospects when you are done. GT gets the edge in internships and subsequent placements because of the co-op program and location. Like all universities, job placement is regional. If you want to work in the south, choose GT. In the midwest, UIUC.
Overall, the students are smarter at GT.
Travel is going to be a lot easier to go home. GT is only a 25 min train ride and non-stop flight away from most anywhere. Parking is much better at UIUC, having a car at GT is not advisable, parking is extremely expensive.
I can’t say which will give you a better experience, they are very different.
Both are great schools. But considering your FL location, and GT’s strengths (good co-op opportunities, smart engineering-focused students, Atlanta), I can’t see any advantages in choosing UIUC.
Few misnomers. My son is from the Northeast, graduated from Tech and worked in the Northeast. Before he went there, I polled lots of folks I know in high tech in the Northeast and they all said they recruited from Tech because it’s one of the best in the country. I assume UIUC is also known nationally, I just don’t feel comfortable commenting when I don’t have firsthand knowledge.
Yes, UIUC is a mega Midwest university, 45,00 vs GTech at 25,000 including grad students and UIUC has all majors, not just technical. My son was EE and never felt there weren’t girls to meet but he also had a friend from high school at Emory so he saw a lot of Atlanta.
Party scene was certainly very strong at Tech, and as a parent I thought too strong. Football and basketball are huge and when my son was there, they went to the Orange Bowl. Frats/sororities are pretty prevalent but my son and friends belonged to one that did not have a house but got together around various activities.
You need to decide for you what is best, of course. Wonderful that you have two great options!!
My D has a friend who is extremely happy at GA Tech (she is also a female engineering student). Given your family’s location and your preference for warmer weather, I’d see no compelling reason to go north.
Great choices. Congrats.
I went to Cornell and I live in Atlanta and my son goes to Tech.
I think Tech is a better choice. The social scene is strong…especially for a girl. The school spirit is stronger and the sports are better. The academics and prestige are equal.
Cornell is a tough place for four years. It’s pretty cold and isolated and easy to get stir crazy after a few years. Atlanta is the opposite.
I loved Cornell but, in retrospect, would have enjoyed a more urban environment.
Right now, my son is doing his co-op right on campus. He has the advantage of continuing his college life while getting the pay and experience from his job. Cannot do that at Cornell.
Have you visited any or all of these schools, @vegita256? You say finances aren’t a concern, but would you be paying significantly more for one school over the other?
It’s a tough choice if both schools (GT & Cornell) cost the same, but if one is significantly less expensive for your family, that would be huge weight in its favor to me.
I said cost isn’t a factor because I haven’t received financial aid offers from either school. If one costs significantly less than the other, I will choose that one.