<p>I was admitted to the ChemE major in UT along with acceptance into the Engineering Honors Program with a 10k scholarship. I live in state, so I would only have to pay room and board.</p>
<p>I was also admitted to the CIT school in Carnegie Mellon, and I can major in anything besides ECE, but I wasn't interested in that anyway. I would have to pay full freight.</p>
<p>Money isn't a concern for me, and I want to actually have some fun in college. UT is obviously more of a party school, but I live like 30 minutes away from the University, and I don't think I'd really feel independent. Carnegie Mellon is farther away and I would definitely have more independence, but I'm worried about their social life. As far as I know, both schools are comparable in engineering, but I think Carnegie Mellon is stronger overall.</p>
<p>My S lived 15 minutes from home at our flagship and we hardly ever saw him. He’d come home when he wanted a meal or to see the dog, but we knew nothing about what he was doing there, whom he was dating, whether he was doing well in school, nada. He might as well have been in Austin. And he never voiced any dissatisfaction with the arrangement. The kids from his h.s. were spread out all over campus and he saw 2 or 3 for a few months and then they went their separate ways. Occasionally he would have a class with one or see another crossing campus. It wasn’t at all “like high school.” He developed a whole new set of friends who are still his friends two years later. Texas is a terrific school, but if you feel it would cramp your style then spend 50K more per year and go to CMU, another great school. Are you crazy?</p>
<p>Texas is perfectly good for engineering, so the huge price difference is very hard to justify.</p>
<p>It appears that the main disadvantage at Texas is that if you are likely to want to change major, it may be difficult and require a high GPA: <a href=“Undergraduate Admissions”>Undergraduate Admissions;
<p>My S went to college 20 minutes away and never came home other than school vacations. We had a long talk before he decided to go to that school and we all agreed to treat it like he was hours, not minutes away. My husband and I never just stopped by the school, we didn’t expect him home for minor things etc. And he never came home to do laundry, get food, etc. There was no downside to his being nearby. In fact a couple of times it was helpful – ex. when his laptop died I drove down an old one we had so he could use it while his was being repaired. And it was always an easy trip home for vacations. Then he went to grad school halfway across the country! </p>
<p>Pittsburgh is a beautiful city and if you have never lived in the East it would be a broadening experience. There is something to be said for going out into the world and seeing new places and meeting new people from all over the world. However, for pure college fun, I would choose UT. </p>
<p>I am not saying UT is a party school. It isn’t, not for an engineering major! But UT has a great mix of intensity and laid backedness, big time football and intramural Ultimate, preppiness and Austin weirdness. Have you been to the rec center in winter and hung out at the outdoor pool? </p>
<p>I am sympathetic to going somewhere new and away from home. I don’t know what your folks are like. Would they expect you home often? Would they drop in? If you can control that factor, you probably won’t see them often. You will be busy with your own life. Officially the University discourages kids and parents from seeing each other every weekend so the kid can settle in, if that helps. </p>
<p>In the long run if money is not an issue you will be glad you went to Carnegie Mellon. It is hands down a better engineering education.
Socially, CMU is more of a party school than given a rep for. No matter where you go, you’ll always be able to have fun.</p>
<p>Also CMU engineers upon graduation are ranked #1 in starting salary, at an AVERAGE of 68k</p>