UM vs. GaTech vs. UCSD: Biomedical Engineering.

<p>Tech is in-state, my family would be nearby, I have friends here already. I know it sounds cheesy, but its a lot easier having a support system here.</p>

<p>I'm completely in love with UCSD, although I haven't been able to visit the campus since I live so far. I've "attended" every web seminar, virtual tour, etc. possible. However, my parent's aren't for it because of distance and financial reasons.</p>

<p>UM doesn't have as great of a BME program as Tech or UCSD. But I love the campus and Florida in general. I know the area pretty well, but I don't if i could sacrifice having the "better" education. Also, i haven't received my financial aid package yet, so financial reasons is a con, too.</p>

<p>Welll.. I don't know where to go. Not sure if I should just go to Tech for two years and then transfer or what...</p>

<p>UMiami is a wonderful school. I’m an alum. The campus is gorgeous. There are lots of cultural activities ON CAMPUS. No need to go off campus. Concerts, movies, plays, other events walking distance from the dorms. </p>

<p>Don’t know if you’re male or female, but I’ve heard GaTech is 3 to 1 ratio male to female. There will definitely be more girls, and pretty ones, too, at UMiami.</p>

<p>I don’t know where you’re getting “sacrificing” education from. While Georgia Tech is nationally recognized as an engineering school, Miami’s science departments are no slouch. The marine science department , where I studied, took the same math, physics, as the engineering majors, and the professors were top notch and excellent teachers.</p>

<p>As for finances, since you’re looking at BME, you will definitely have to go to grad school, so it would be good to take on as little debt as possible for your undergrad. If you’re instate and can get almost a “free ride” at Ga Tech, I would take that, and maybe save UMiami for grad school. Miami is very expensive, but they have a lot more scholarships available now.</p>

<p>Miami is not that far from the Atlanta area. Probably a nonstop flight away. But I definitely understand where you’re coming from. My son is also BME intent, but he chose the closer OOS state flagship that gave him a free ride over the BME schools in the Midwest both because of finances and distance from home. He wasn’t ready to go that far away to school for undergrad, so he’s saving his money for grad school and working hard in undergrad to get into grad school for BME as well.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>GT is 37% female. However, it is in Atlanta and there are several very large majority female schools close by (including an all girls’ school). </p>

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<p>Even ignoring rankings, you can look at school funding for FY2008 (latest year available): <a href=“http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf10311/pdf/tab62.pdf[/url]”>http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf10311/pdf/tab62.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Georgia Tech (#2 overall in the nation): $34 million in biomedical research funding
Miami (#192 overall in the nation): $0.5 million in biomedical research funding</p>

<p>Keeping in mind that good research is the most important factor in graduate school decisions: Which school is going to give you better research opportunities? Which school will have the more well known researchers to write you letters of recommendation? These are very important in making decisions.</p>

<p>If you’re focusing on rankings and ability to get into grad school, I agree, go to Georgia Tech. It is a very well known, well respected school, especially for engineering. I have to stand up for my alum, Miami, though, as, even in my day, it had a reputation of a party school, but I can tell you, the science majors did not do the partying. As I didn’t go on to grad school, I can’t speak to how influential my degree would have been in securing admission, but I do have friends that went on to grad school and are having very good careers as researchers, government scientists, doctors. </p>

<p>I do believe one has to find a good fit, both academically, financially, and socially, for their undergrad experience. </p>

<p>Good luck on your college search. I’m sure you’ll do great wherever you go!</p>

<p>I’m at UM now for BME and while UM definitely is no where near as good in BME as UCSD and GATech I’ve had no problem getting into several top 10 grad schools for BME including both GATech and UCSD. I would really only consider UM if you end up with a great scholarship or FA package, the other two schools are great and right at the top of the BME programs so it would definitely be a tough decision.</p>

<p>^^^Congratulations, the flash! Good for you! Let us know where you end up going for grad school!</p>

<p>thank you everyone!</p>

<p>Hello fellow CCers! I am a graduating high school senior who plans to study BME. I have narrowed down my decision to three colleges, and I would like to get some input from others here, for I have read very good advice over the last couple months regarding college decisions. Between MIT full price, GaTech at 20 grand a year, and UM full ride (stamps scholarship), where do you think would be the best place for me to go for a BME undergraduate education? Thanks for your input, it is much appreciated!</p>