I have my decision narrowed down to these two schools. If I go to GT I will be majoring in biomedical engineering. At PSU I will either major in this or engineering science. I would be paying in-state at PSU, making GT about 20-30k more overall. I think I would be able to start actual coursework in my major earlier at GT which is a plus, and I like the engineering feeling that it has compared to the Schreyer liberal arts environment. Penn State is closer to home and has a huge alumni network. The Schreyer benefits of priority scheduling and guaranteed undergraduate research are also huge. Another thing I have been considering is where I will make connections; I would prefer to not stay in Atlanta long term, but I feel like the GT name carries to a lot of places. Is it worth paying that extra amount to go to GT for its ranking, environment, and prestige? How much advantage would a GT graduate really have over a PSU graduate in biomedical engineering? I am completely stuck in this decision; any advice would be highly appreciated.
30k per year or over 4 years.
Over 4 years
I don’t know anything about the biomedical engineering field, but Penn State’s alumni network is phenomenal.
If it’s not a financial burden then it’s GT for pure academic chops in your majors. However PSU with the honors is close. GT is probably a bit more intense. You can be super successful out of either school. It’s a matter of the intangibles.
Does anyone know about the job placement. Will I most likely end up working my first job in Atlanta after Georgia Tech? Also, do you think there would be much of a difference between the names for applying to grad school or for getting a better starting position?
GT has a HUGE job placement network with placement all over the country.
Both have great placement… both have great alumni and both are great schools… just visiting Penn State and the campus is amazing (especially the creamery)… I’d say save you 120k and keep it for grad school and head to Penn State… they did state they had one of the largest career fairs. @collegekid2424
20-30k more per year??? How will that get paid? How would simply going to Penn State get paid?
Virtually zero. Certainly not enough to justify $80k+ more in cost (again, how will that be paid). Penn State isn’t some risky dink uni. As you mentioned, you’ll have assured research at Penn State. For eng’g, employers hire the person.
What is your career goal with BioMedE? That’s a major that usually needs a grad degree anyway. If your career path will need a grad degree, then why are you asking this question? It would be moot.
@mom2collegekids - I think the OP said the price difference was $20-30K total over the 4 years, not each year.
While a large group of GT grads stay in Atlanta as many are from Atlanta they also get jobs all over the country. GT also has an extensive alumni group.
The poster said it would cost an additional 30k over the four years not a $120k.
Forgetting rankings and what not, which school did you feel like you were a better fit. Assuming the 30k does not break the bank choose where you would be happiest. If you are certain you would like to stay up north I would choose PA.
187 employers were at the January GT career fair— companies from GA but also from all over the country https://gatech-csm.symplicity.com/events/2a0e40ad5288398e749fc098ff6ac2a8/employers
In terms of classes at GT my child never had much of an issue getting into classes you need. It just may not be the time slot you want or the professor. And you will get stuck in some classes with PHD students as the instructor. Look carefully at the course requirements and specifically the elective options for your major. The electives can be challenging in an engineering major as they are made up from generally other engineering majors which many are upper division classes. I would study the course catalog at both schools carefully. There is little in the way at GT to soften the full load of stem coursework. Its a great school but if you want a more balanced school with humanities its not the way to go.
Does anyone think Schreyer Honors makes up some of the gap between Penn State and Georgia Tech in terms of their academic rankings.
Did you visit penn state? Just saw on campus a new biomed building and must say the amount of investment in engineering is impressive
The cost difference of approximately $25,000 over 4 years should not be a significant factor in your decision.
Seems as though you prefer Georgia Tech’s environment & academics but are held back from making a commitment based on erroneous placement fears.
Georgia Tech is the better option based on your posts in this thread.
i know that companies from everywhere hire from GT. I know a grad that went to Arizona. One thing to consider is GT is urbanish , with a warmer climate. Penn state is more rural, and has the northeast winters. Since you are from Penn, then i assume you are used to winters and dont mind them. Other questions to ask, is if you would prefer to be closer to home or not.
I am familiar with Penn State and I briefly visited Georgia Tech once. I did know that a new Penn State BioMed building is opening for the incoming class. Would this affect the ranking in that major? I would feel dumb if I went to GT for better academics only for Penn State to go up the rankings in BME a year later.
@collegekid2424 - yes, I believe Schreyer’s would add bit of “prestige” to your profile. Does that matter in biomedical engineering, though? I have no idea.
Penn State’s alumni network extends all over the country, and alums are very loyal. But if you decide to stay in PA, you may find it invaluable. Seems like every other person you meet went to Penn State (lol), and they are very loyal. But the truth is, once you get established in your career, it’s not going to matter much where you went to school.
So, I think the question would be, where do you feel most comfortable, and is that level of comfort worth $30,000? Is your family prepared to spend that much more on your education?
Does your family have the 8k difference or would they need to borrow? Would you fit in better in a “tech” environment or Ina campus with a very broad range of majors thus academic profiles?