Ok so I’m 17, I graduated high school a year early and am taking a gap year, I haven’t taken the SAT or ACT yet (I’m planning to do both the first test date in the new year) I have no real idea of what I want to do with my life, I’ve considered perhaps Diagnostic Medicine (Diagnostician) something about figuring out what disease someone has is kinda intriguing, but I’m not 100 percent sure, I despise math so definitely not anything engineering related, anyways my plan is to go my first year without a major if possible.
I live outside Baton Rouge, so the most obvious pick would be LSU, my parents would love that, not because they love LSU but because they dont want me moving out of state, I really would like to go to UT, I’ve been on the campus, I really like the atmosphere, LSU not so much.
My parents side of the argument is that I’ll be leaving my (few) friends and my hometown, my argument is I’ve lived here 10 years and dont have that many friends to make me feel obliged to stay.
Far as overall experience and quality of learning which is the better pick LSU or UT, I’m not worried about the parties, or frats, or tailgating, or football, I want to know which has a better student community, clubs and activities, ect.
UT-Austin or UT-Knoxville? I’m assuming Austin…
Keep in mind that UT-Austin admissions is much more competitive than LSU (or UT-Knoxville). Also, going out of state to UT-Austin will be much more expensive.
UT-Austin has a better academic reputation and more resources. However, LSU will also be able to get you to where you need to go. If the money is ok, and you get accepted to UT (pay attention to the admissions requirements/due dates), then attend Texas, if that’s your preference.
Research admission requirements, consider the cost and visit both schools, before making a decision.
Talk with your parents about the money. How do they expect you to pay for your education? Is it all on you? Can they help some? Can they help a lot? Just exactly how much are they truly ready, willing, and able to pay each year? Sit down with them and run the Net Price Calculator at the website of each place on your list, and see whether any can be made affordable.
Then when you know which places are affordable, you will know where you can actually apply. If you do get in to both LSU and UT a year and a half from now, and if both are equally affordable for your family, that will be the time to ask “UT vs. LSU?”