My DD has been accepted to all of these institutions (and a few others, smh). How do you figure out which one to attend? Assume there is no scholarship $$ to be had at any of these except RPI with covered about 40% of tuition costs. 1 year attendance costs with room and board as follows:
MIT $67342
Cornell $69584
GT $45970
UMich $58952
VaTech $41110
RPI $67265—> $38265 with scholarship
So the difference here between the least expensive, RPI and the most expensive, MIT is 29k/yr…so approx. $120k for the 4 years ($150k if it takes 5 years to complete).
But more than just the cost of the various schools, which one would you choose and why?
Here is kinda a backward thought…
Who does she want to work for?
What university do they hire from?
Will the job cover the expense of the education in the long run?
Intended major ? Was she a direct admit to any or all schools/majors ?
I don’t know what direct admit means…we are out of state for all of them, except RPI. She was early admit to GT and UMich, and a “Likely Letter” to Cornell. She applied RD to VT, MIT, and RPI.
She wants to major in aerospace engineering. (Also interested in Naval Architecture/Marine engineering double major, perhaps). her ultimate goal- right now- is to become an astronaut. She is a US Naval Academy applicant, with 2 nominations, but still waiting for an appointment. She has received an NROTC scholarship so she can attend a civilian college with NROTC unit (all these schools have a unit there) and the Navy covers full tuition and fees for her undergrad degree- after which she would owe the Navy 5 years of active duty after undergrad graduation but she would be an officer upon commissioning (she’s not enlisting).
@3XImpossible: Has your daughter visited these schools? If so, which one(s) did she like the most? I have found with my kids that usually one or two schools just “feel right,” more than the others; and, all other things being equal, my suggestion is to go with the one where your daughter feels more comfortable. She will get a great education in engineering at all of them; but because there is likely to be a lot of stress involved in attending these schools – some more than others – you want to make sure that your daughter is going to be happy, or at least fairly comfortable, at whichever school she attends.
So, consider visiting the respective schools on “admitted student” days, which most universities have in some form or fashion; that helped in our family. If you can’t do all, then attend the ones that your daughter has the most interest in attending.
Also, “direct admit” means that an applicant is admitted directly to the college of engineering, or to a specific department/major within the college of engineering. This is in contrast to a “single door” university, where you are admitted to the university – not a specific college – and once you are admitted to the university you can choose what major you wish.
Aerospace Engineering majors ranked by US News:
- MIT
- Georgia Tech
- Michigan
- Stanford
- Caltech
Focus on MIT, Georgia Tech & Michigan since these are the three best undergraduate programs for your daughter’s major.
^ Cornell is ranked #10 and Virginia Tech ranked #14 in the US News aerospace engineering rankings, here, https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate. Your daughter can get an excellent education in aerospace engineering at any of these schools; and I suspect that whatever marginal differences there are among the rankings of the schools do not justify the price differential between some of them.
thank you, I have seen the usnwr rankings. but beyond those rankings…
She was a direct admit to all the schools, all of them admitted her into their college of engineering, and her 1st choice major (if they don’t do “general engineering” the first year-like at Purdue and VaTech)
They are all great schools. I would not spend the extra $80k for the same degree while you can get it from GT or VaTech for less.
I think MIT is one of the few schools thats worth the extra money/year.
1 Big congratulations!!!!
She only has good choices. But what kind of college experience does she want to go to and how intense does she want the program to be? Only GT and Michigan will give her a top college urban feel with great sports. VT will be more military but good student base. MIT more intense. Also what can you realistically afford? I agree that visiting is key if money is not an issue. If she got into all these schools she will be successful where ever she goes.
Which of these schools offer naval architecture/marine engineering?
However, some schools which admit to the engineering division have an additional admission process later to get into a specific major. VT is such a school where engineering frosh take the frosh-level courses and then apply to their majors. A 3.0 college GPA assures admission, but it is otherwise competitive for those with lower GPAs.
Michigan also admits to the engineering division, but declaring an engineering major only requires passing the prerequisites and a 2.0 college GPA.
Students entering such a school outside the engineering division may face an additional admission process to get into the engineering division if they enroll there.
^ That is correct. I have a child who applied to Purdue, with a direct admit as a FYE but who would have to select a specific major after the first year, with admission to that specific major based on meeting GPA requirements (3.2 or above will get you into the major you want); to Cincinnati, with a direct admit to mechanical engineering; and to Case Western Reserve, which has a “single door” policy.
The additional internal “secondary” admissions process at schools like Purdue or Virginia Tech can certainly up the ante for an engineering student, and be an additional stressor.
These schools are all so good that it is a matter of fit. MIT is the most intense of the group, too intense for some (my son immediately discounted it because students are very stressed out). MIT students can take classes at Harvard should they choose. Michigan and Cornell will offer a full traditional college experience in a smaller city, and are quite similar. GT has the urban campus in a fun and warm city. Michigan has an excellent Naval architecture program, so that should also be a consideration.
I’d probably look at MIT, Cornell, GT and UMich as the best four. The extra $28K for GT over RPI is worth the difference IMO. An additional $100K for MIT is harder to justify, unless the money matters less than the prestige to you. All will get your daughter into an excellent graduate school, should she want to, which is what actually matters in terms of future earnings.
You may want to check into the 5 year BSE/MSE programs offered at some of the schools. There is a pretty substantial pay premium for a masters, and a higher ceiling for jobs for only a year’s extra cost.
@TooOld4School
would you feel the same if there was no financial consideration needed–if all the schools would cost exactly the same amount of money?
FWIW at least one former CC poster who was an aerospace industry insider recommended a mechanical engineering degree, with aerospace electives, for undergrad rather than an aerospace major.
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/12851062#Comment_12851062
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/11116006#Comment_11116006
If money is not a concern, MIT followed by Michigan. If money is a concern, GT.
I would say MIT, Georgia tech then Michigan then Cornell. People are going to have different opinions here. I would really talk to your daughter and see what your daughter is looking for in a program? What type of 4 years does she want to experience? This will help her decide and go visit the campus you narrow down to. They all have their pluses and minuses. She doesn’t have a bad choice.
Congratulation. I am sure you are proud. Something to think about. If you are to use NROTC to pay for college, then commit to 5 years. She will come out the back end with major work experience under her belt when applying for places to work. Additionally, the Navy offers many programs for Officers as they serve. i.e. Tuition assistance, graduate school… Does she want to fly? Locking in a guaranteed flight contract with the Navy would be a solid way to go. 5 years of flying, combined with a Degree in any of the schools is a solid start. Plus… no debt.
Finally, if it is NROTC. The dollar amount is not really a factor. Is it?
For prospective, I am a 22 year Naval Officer. Just retired. So, from the military aspect I have a solid understanding. Also, look at it this way… If this is the hard decision… you are sitting in a good place. Where she wants to attend and feel safe and happy will make her experience all the better. Not forcing a place just for the name.
Best of luck.