I cannot decide whether or not the University of Georgia or Georgia Tech would be better for me as an undergrad. I am still waiting to hear from more schools, but they are all out of state and expensive, so what will probably happen is I end up at either UGA or Tech (I am a Georgia resident). I have been accepted to both, so the only thing left is to make a decision.
I am planning on majoring in psychology at UGA and biology at Tech. After undergrad, I would like to attend medical school and pursue a career as a psychiatrist.
My question is… Which of these schools best fits the major and the job?
I am leaning more towards going to Tech, but my parents would like me to go to UGA. I am not 100% sure about either at this moment.
Please let me know why I should pick one school or the other. I would like to know these things based off of the programs, the classes, or the overall academic experience of the schools. I would like to spend my undergrad studying abroad at least once and participating in research, so which schools are better fitted for those? Also, internships are important, too. I know Tech is probably at an advantage in that area, because it is in Atlanta, but maybe UGA will have a better internship opportunity for me.
I would not like to receive responses saying to pick one because of its social scene, campus, or food. (Those things are important, but this post was made so I can have a better understanding of both schools from an academic perspective)
I am planning on applying for the Honors Program at UGA and the SMART Living Learning Community at Tech.
Thank you everyone for your input!
I’ve visited… I liked the feel of both campuses. I like the idea of Athens and the college town feel, but I really like the things to do around Atlanta.
So in short. Location isn’t much of an issue since I like both school’s location. (The danger of Atlanta does scare my family a bit, but it is closer to my home).
Let’s say you go to college and change your mind and decide you want to be an english major and get into publishing. Will you be limiting yourself at Georgia Tech? I’m not really familiar with it, but I do know that people often end up majoring in things that they never imagined.
I know few students who major in things they’d never imagined. They may leave STEM if it proves to difficult but they usually go into something that they had an interest in already. STEM at GT is very strong.
Georgia Tech has co-op program. It’s not internship, but IMHO, it is a better version of internship.
Academically, GATech is stronger in STEM, which you likely get into because your plan has medical school. But as med schools value GPA, do you think you can achieve a better one at UGA? Just some food for thought, please ignore it if you think this is stupid.
Another thing to take into account: the uneven male:female ratio of GATech. I know this is not academic-related, but this can be a hugh downside to some people.
@lhtanh98 That is a very good point. I am worried about the GPA. Medical schools will also weigh things like internships and research that the student did as an undergrad, right (asuming these things are related to medicine)? I know at UGA I will possibly get a higher GPA, but I feel as if I would be lacking somewhat in the area of experience and activities. I could very well be wrong. Also about the ratio, Tech is trying to balance it out starting this year. I know that the majority of the overall student body will be more males than females, but I don’t think that is too big of a deal for me.
@citymama9 Are you suggesting I should choose UGA because they are more well rounded, as Tech is more of a STEM only type school? That is a good point, but I can’t really see myself switching majors (I could be wrong, of course), and if I do, it’ll probably be along the lines of science.
I don’t understand why you are considering different majors at these universities when they both offer majors in psychology and biology. For ideas on research that might be available, look at graduate level offerings and at professor bios, and at research centers on the two campuses. I would explore both subjects at each university before making a decision.
Get ahold of the academic advisor at each of the two schools that is in charge of medical school placement and advising. Then ask for the last 5 years of medical school placement data for each. Take a look at the percentages, and the Med Schools they successfully place students into.
GaTech is a terrific school, but does have a reputation for difficult grading and grade deflation–the last thing a prospective Med School candidate wants to battle. On the other hand, it does have a stronger academic reputation, so it is entirely possible that Med Schools take this into account. So that is why you need to talk to these advisers and get the actual data on how they do in getting their kids into Med Schools.
@mommyrocks I chose bio at Tech because people say that the psychology program isn’t as good, whereas biology is pretty good. I’d like to study psychology, but my goal is med school, so I need a lot of knowledge in biology anyways. At Tech, I would take up a psychology major.
@ClarinetDad16 I am probably at the top of the freshman profile for UGA and towards the middle for Tech (closer to bottom with my test score though)
@intparent I am planning on going to an all day program at Tech. I don’t not know of any at UGA for my specific major, only general campus programs.
@ColdinMinny thanks for the great input! I will definitely do that!
@ClarinetDad16 what kind of programs at UGA could help me stand out from other prospective med school students other than having a good GPA? Any research, internships, ect opportunities out in Athens that I couldn’t receive at Tech?
@booper those are good questions! Since I am in state, the cost would be about the same.
I don’t know which one out of the two could prepare me better for the MCAT. I know at UGA, I could probably have a higher GPA, but at Tech, I do not expect it to drop heavily (if it drops at all)
I know Tech is close to 2 hospitals, Emory and Grady, and is close to the CDC. Not sure about UGA’s proximity to any locations.
Since it seems like Tech has the advantage based off of your questions, would you say that Tech is the better option?
You may very well stay interested in STEM. I was someone who went into college undecided, then I thought I figured out what I wanted to major in freshman year, then as time went on I decided on something entirely different. I do know that there are people who know early on what they like and they stick with it. Just go through Tech’s website and see if there are a few majors that would be of interest to you in case your plans change