I have about 5 days left to make my college decision. I have narrowed my selection down to two schools: Texas A&M and University of Alabama. I really need some advice. My major is Chemical Engineering.
I am not too concerned about the cost of each college because they are both relatively affordable to me. Alabama is offering two thirds tuition while A&M is in-state.
I have visited each school as well. After each visit though, I thought, “I’ll go to school here.” So I have no clue which one I really want to attend.
I am worried about UA being a good investment after graduating, and I am worried that I won’t like A&M because it lacks campus beauty and diversity. UA built their engineering quad in recent years, and it was beautiful. So I thought that maybe UA could have an improving engineering program…? But, statistically, A&M seems like the better option, even though it would be cheaper to attend UA. My goal is to be well-prepared for my career or go to an excellent graduate school after graduation.
I really want to make the smartest decision. HELP!
Thanks
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If you qualified for 2/3 tuition from Alabama, then didn’t the College of Eng’g give you the OTHER 1/3 (full tuition ) PLUS 2500 per year?
Didn’t you get a letter from Eng’g? If not, you need to look into that because if you qualified for 2/3 AND you indicated eng’g as your major, you’d get more money.
Did you put some sort of eng’g as your major? Check on MyBama academics tab. If you didn’t put eng’g, then go change that NOW.
My son was Chemical Eng’g at Bama. You don’t have to worry about job placement. Although my son went to med school, his ChemE housemates walked right into $85k per year jobs. You don’t have to worry. You’ll be well employed.
If you decide on Grad School instead, no worries as long as you do well.
I see that you have an ACT 31, so you somehow are missing the letter from the College of Eng’g at Bama that they are giving you the other 1/3 tuition (so full tuition) plus 2500 per year.
My apologies, I forgot to mention those scholarships.
Thank you for your input.
If anyone else would like to voice their opinion or offer some advice for or against either of these schools, I would greatly appreciate it. I am still undecided.
We looked at A&M for our senior son who is going into chemical engineering. What turned us off is you will have to compete to get into chemical after your 1st year. Look over on the A&M forum for some idea of the grades you would need to be accepted. Any type of hard start your 1st year could keep you out of your chosen major.
If you were my kid I’d tell you to go to UA . Sounds like you like UA better but are just worried that it is not ranked as high as A&M- It won’t matter for engineering.
Thank you for your advice!
It sounds like UA is a sure bet for the major you want, you like the campus better, AND it’s cheaper. Sounds like a no-brainer 
While TAMU is more “prestigious” in the abstract, for engineers prestige is not important, what matters is what YOU can do. As long as your program is ABET accredited you’ll find jobs. UA is a state flagship, so the Engineering program will be good and Honors College students don’t seem to be lacking in opportunities compared to TAMU.
So, I don’t see a downside to accepting your UA offer.
Wow…I didn’t know you have to compete to get into ChemE at TAMU. That’s a big negative.
Since you have free tuition plus 2500 per year at Bama, your remaining costs are about $13k per year if you choose the pricier dorms.
TAMU would be about $26k per year and you’d have no guarantee of ChemE.