I am majoring in computer engineering next year and not sure what school to go to next year. I really think Maryland’s engineering program is far stronger than Buffalos and really see myself achieving much more at UMD. The only problem is UMD gave me no money and I am an OOS student. I also like UMDs atmosphere, sports, campus, and surrounding area much better, but I got into honors college at UB(not sure if I would be able to maintain a 3.5 gpa and stay in), and I would be able to get a minors in robotics at UB. Maryland is around $100,000 more than UB, so my parents would only pay for the first two years at Maryland and leave me $80000 in debt or my parents would fully pay for Buffalo.
@Jimmyschi Go to University at Buffalo. Since cost is a concern—you say you would be in $80,000 in debt if you go to Maryland—-going to an out-of-state public flagship is not feasible. I’d advise differently if you received significant merit aid or need-based aid that made the cost comparable to UB, but you didn’t receive either. IMO UB has a great engineering facilitiy and the strongest engineer program of the SUNYs and it offers more of the full college experience (division 1 football and basketball) than any of the other SUNYs. If you do well at UB engineering you will be able to get the same amount of pay as an engineer as you would if you were a Maryland graduate. And by not having debt you will be able to afford a car and an apartment after you graduate; if you have $80,000 in debt, you will be financially strapped. As for Honors I don’t think Honors is as important for Pre-professional majors —your engineering courses will be difficult enough without more rigor of honors courses. I don’t thing engineering employers will care as much if you took liberal arts honors courses or not.
I’m a huge UMD fan. Really. But UB, honors and special robotics minor is worthy of choosing head to head.
100k more. 140k pretax. Unless you hate UB, which is actually hard to do, it’s an obvious and wonderful choice.
Plus you may be an ace at UB and average excellent at umd.
You can’t borrow that much on your own, so your parents would either have to borrow it, or co-sign with you. Go to UB. You can still root for the Terps from NY State.