Torn between Two Colleges: Virginia Tech and Purdue University

College Search & Selection
1

I am living in Virginia and will be majoring in computer science. I already got accepted into Computer Science Dept of Purdue. I haven’t heard from Virginia Tech yet because I applied regular decision, but let’s just assume I got into their Engineering, which is where computer science program is in.

I am torn between Virginia Tech and Purdue for several reasons.

Pros of VT:
-In-State, $21,000 (cheaper)
-My best friend is going (but I won’t let just that determine the college.).

Cons of VT:
-Not ranked as high in CS (~about #35) as Purdue.
-Requires taking at least one term of physics, which is my MAIN weakness (I really want to avoid going to school that requires me to take physics because I really suck at physics.).

Pros of Purdue
-Very reputed for computer science
-Ranked about #20 for CS, which is far better than VTech’s ranking for CS (I’m talking about undergraduate ranking, not graduate ranking. Apparently its graduate ranking is similar to undergraduate ranking.).
-Doesn’t require one term of physics (They do require two terms of science, but it can be chosen from biology, chemistry and physics. You know what I’m going to choose.)

Cons of Purdue
-Out-of-State, $42,000 (2x expensive as VTech)

I know many people will say choosing in-state college is lot more economical, and yes, I know. But please remember that I can’t stand physics (taken both AP Physics 1 and AP Physics C: Mech, ironically) to the extent that this actually is a factor that determines my college. Also, to those who will say “college rankings are flawed/not something to rely on/etc.,” my early response to that is, I really want to go to Purdue because it really does have a better CS program than VTech apparently, and also my mother is a heavily rank-reliant person and loves Purdue more because of its higher ranking.

Thank you for reading this, and I appreciate any feedback.

2

Your decision depends entirely on your financial situation. Can you afford an extra $80K? If you are worried about Physics take it at your local CC instead of VT. VT may actually better from a recruiting perspective if you want to live close to home.

3

I do want to point out that the ranking difference really isn’t very significant here. 15 spots outside of the Top 20 is not going to be that big of a tangible difference. If we’re talking 10 vs 50, that’s a big difference. So would a top tier school and #25. You’re pushing it with “far better”.

Additionally, CS ranking really doesn’t matter unless you’re at the top tier, where it makes a small impact. I don’t think there’s any significant difference in how the schools are perceived in my experience in the industry. Purdue engineering is looked upon better than its CS relatively, and there is a good difference in the industry between them, so they shouldn’t be conflated reputationally.

Is there any reasoning behind this besides ranking? I don’t know the ins and outs of both programs, but neither are standout as far as I know.

Physics is one class (yes?). I understand it’s not ideal, but that should be reserved for a very close tiebreaker. The biggest question here is where is the price difference coming from? From your family, loans, or what?

Another big part you left out is fit - have you visited either? What are you looking got in a college?

4

Could u fulfill the physics requirement with a course taken at a community college? It would likely be less intense than a physics course at VT. Suck it up & pass a physics course…Save $80k.

5

I am biased because on of my kids went to Virginia Tech, instate, but can’t imagine that Purdue would be worth the extra cost. Virginia Tech is very well recruited. Look at their Career Services site Post Grad Survey for an idea of where their graduates are placed. Virginia Tech also tends to place very well in rankings for happy students, great food, etc. There is a lot of school spirit . Good luck with the decision.

6

For 80K, heck, I would go out there and find a way to pass the physics course. You could hire a REALLY expensive tutor with 80K.

And you’d get better weather as a bonus.

;^)

PS: So the AP physics does not count toward your requiriement at V. Tech, or you need even more additional physics beyond the 2 you’ve already taken?

7

If the money differential is not important to your family and you could afford both schools comfortably (no loans, no hardship) then by all means consider Purdue. If that is the case I would make a second visit to both schools and see if one stands out to you as the better school/better fit. I don’t see the rating difference as a big deal – the schools are in the same ballpark.

But to most people the price difference is important and if that is the case I would go with VTech. You have already taken AP Physics courses and should be OK in an intro level physics course (and agree that with the price differential you could afford to get a tutor from day 1 of the class) or you could take one semester of physics over the summer at an “easier” school (just be sure the credit will transfer).

8

Thank you everyone for your feedback.

@happy1 @moooop Would I be able to manage to take a physics course in just one summer, which I believe is 2 to 3 month long? Also, do I have to apply to that community college and afterwards transfer from that college to VTech? I have gotten accepted to many good colleges, and I don’t want to go to CC just for physics and transfer, if that is the case.

@Trisherella I can get a college credit only if I get a 5 on AP Physics: Mech, which I 100% doubt will happen as I have a B in that class currently and is very tough for me (by far the hardest class).

9

A summer class is often compressed into 6 weeks – most colleges run two summer sessions over the break. It would likely require your undivided attention. You would need to talk to your advisor at VT to determine what colleges they will accept credit from (ex. my S’s college would not take CC credits for an enrolled student while other colleges did – I have no idea about the policy at VT). You can take a summer course as a visiting student at a CC or whatever college you decide take it at (and you could take the course between years at VT as well) so you could accept the offer at VT – no need to apply as a transfer. Also keep in mind that if you have had a rigorous HS physics course you may not find the college intro. level course all that terrible.

10

You’d have to confirm with VT that taking a community college course in the summer after senior yr would be OK, but I’m guessing they would be OK with it. If not, take it at a CC after freshman year. MANY students at 4-year colleges take community college classes in the summers because they are cheap, easy, and/or conveniently located in their home town. But they have to get approval beforehand, which is usually pretty easy. Applying to a CC is usually a 5 minute process, & taking one class with VTs approval wouldn’t change your status at VT (you wouldn’t be a “transfer student” at VT, even though the class credit would transfer).

Another benefit is that transfer courses typically don’t factor into your GPA at your main college, so even if you didn’t do really well, it wouldn’t hurt you.

11

If you’ve already had Physics in HS, including AP Physics C, you should be fine taking it at Virginia Tech. My kid only had AP Physics B in high school and had no problem with physics at VT . I really wouldn’t let one class deter you from VT. If you don’t think the school is a good fit for you, that’s a different story.

12

My son took Chem at NVCC in the summer and transferred it to VT engineering. Double check that things haven’t changed as far as what classes need to be taken AT VT but as of a couple years ago, think you’d have been fine with this approach. On the VT website is a list of NVCC classes that transfer and their corresponding VT class so you can check that now. In order for the class to transfer and count at VT, you submit paperwork with the class info to VT and they approve it. You’d want o do that well before taking the class. At NVCC you are considered a “visiting student” - look on their website to see what that entails from a registration process. Do not know the process for doing this the summer before you start at VT but I’m sure it’s possible. Double check the grade you must receive in order to transfer the credit, am guessing it’s a C. The grade itself should not be included in your VT GPA so a C wouldn’t hurt you.

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@JustGraduate @sevmom @moooop @happy1 Thank you all for your thorough responses. This is very informative.

14

In the end, you have to decide whether liking Purdue more is worth the 100%ish price increase.

Only if you can afford Purdue without taking on much debt – and your parents/family don’t mind springing for that extra amount – should you continue to entertain thoughts of attending. But if they are close to even, that $80k savings to go to VA Tech is almost a no-brainer.

15

@sevmom When you said “If you don’t think the school is a good fit for you, that’s a different story,” how can I tell whether it is a good school for me? I haven’t visited any of the accepted schools yet, but I am planning to visit over spring break (March-April). During the visit, what should I look at to see if it suits for me?

16

I’ll tell you what I think are some basic fit variables. Try to think of the school in these terms, or according to any other variables you think are important:

  • Academic fit: they have the majors and courses you're interested in, a curricular style you can handle (grad requirements, distribution requirements, etc.), you can get into your chosen major, class sizes and research or internship opportunities are acceptable, the academic vibe (intellectualism, pre-professionalism, etc.) is ok, etc.
  • Environment: Location, setting (size of town/city), and weather are acceptable. You may also factor in the size of the school.
  • Social vibe (party scene, sports scene, political culture, things to do...) is acceptable.
  • Dorms and food are acceptable (you can adapt, but still, if you need a tiebreaker, this can be one...)
17

Some of it can be a gut reaction- do you see yourself there, do you like the campus, do you like the amount of sports there, what is the overall vibe , do you care about fraternity life, weather issues, food, location, (do you want a college town or urban, far away or closer to home), etc. Have fun on your spring break visits. You should have an admissions answer from Virginia Tech by then.

18

Agree, fit can be a gut feel – especially when both schools have the academics you are looking for. Consider things like – Do you feel comfortable on campus? Do the kids seem like you could be friends with them? How do the facilities look? etc. Do keep in mind that VT and Purdue seem share many commonalities – both are STEM oriented schools, similar in size, have a good sports scene etc. so it would not be a shock if you like the schools pretty equally. It is great you can visit both before deciding.

19

@TooOld4School @moooop @sevmom @JustGraduate @prezbucky @happy1

I have researched and found some schools that allows for course credit transfers from that college to Virginia Tech. However, as you already know, I want to go to the school that has the “easiest” physics course. I know that I am very greedy and picky :(, but I am still not confident with dealing with (and only with) physics course in university. Is there any way to find which school has the “easiest” physics course?

This Virginia Tech website lists the schools where certain credits can be transferred from one to another: https://banweb.banner.vt.edu/ssb/prod/hzsktgid.P_DispTranGuide

I am thinking Radford University or George Mason University would have “easiest” physics course among them because they have very high acceptance rate.

By the way, the credit I need for is PHYS 2305 (at Virginia Tech).

Thank you in advance.

20

I wouldn’t make a major school decision over one course – Physics is hard for many (most?) people… You just battle through it.