<p>Hey everyone,
So i was accepted into uva's engineering school today, and although im leaning towards uva, i have also been lookin into tech alot.
I was wonderin if any uva engineerin students can possibly give me some insight on uva's e-program and perhaps why i should choose uva over tech??? any insight would be great!</p>
<p>I had the same question so I made this thread:</p>
<p>I read your thread archrival...where did you end up? Son has the same choices plus others. He also received the VT Dean's Scholar award, so that adds to the mix. He's interested in aerospace engineering. I hope when he visits both campuses he'll have a better grasp of the difference between the too. Thanks again for linking your previous thread. Any other current opinions?
He's blessed to have both options....</p>
<p>Both institutions has respectable engineering programs, you can't go wrong at either. If you are looking for prestige, I'd say choose UVA over Tech. Tech isn't really well known throughout the country (although is highly regarded in the surrounding area). Where ever you decide, you will surely receive an awesome education. </p>
<p>I had a friend who chose UVA engineering over Tech based on how much financial aid was given (he really wanted to go to Tech). If you ask me, I'd choose UVA over Tech ;)</p>
<p>Vtech is better:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-north-carolina-chapel-hill/672705-unc-vs-uva-2.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-north-carolina-chapel-hill/672705-unc-vs-uva-2.html</a>
read post # 22 in particular.</p>
<p>Considering the cost, I hope that anyone asking X vs Y takes the initiative to visit both schools.</p>
<p>Guillaume, Both schools are great.Son graduating from UVa in May instate in engineering and did not even apply to VT. (great employment offers coming out of school worth 70,000+). You seem to have a grudge against UVa since your kid was waitlisted a couple of years ago. Younger son was waitlisted a few days ago at VT but I do not plan to knock VT( it hurts everyone at first with a denial or waitlist especially if you feel the school is a match). I feel younger son was a good match for VT. A little puzzled by the waitlist but admissions are pretty crazy this year!</p>
<p>I have no grudge against UVA. Please do not infer feelings from my posts, thank you very much. Did you read the post I was talking about?? Read it first and then get back to me. S will apply to UVA and Vtech both. But since he is more interested in the sciences, Vtech would probably be a better fit. Vtech is superior in sciences.</p>
<p>Butterfly18 I decided on UVa because I was unsure about engineering. My second choice was commerce, and UVa has a good commerce school, so I thought it would be better if I go to UVa in case I change my mind about engineering. So far though, I am still in engineering without any plans to switch, and I think it is pretty good for the most part.</p>
<p>jonniboi21, what type of engineering are you interested in? VT, while a great engineering school, does not offer biomed. The campus environments are very different as well. We were recently on Grounds and had a tour of the UVA e-school and were very impressed with the steps they are taking to improve their facilities and programs. Think about what you want from your college experience; examine the curriculum and requirements; visit, and then decide. Good luck!</p>
<p>Guillaume...when I read your post, I seriously just LOL. You say "VT is superior in the sciences"...really? according to who? you? your baseless assumptions? Why don't we use something like the US News Rankings to determine which one IS actually "better" in the sciences. I'm def. not saying UVA is "strong" in the sciences, because it is not but neither is VTech....let's look at latest rankings. </p>
<p>Biology: </p>
<p>UVA ranked # 42
VT ranked # 77</p>
<p>Chemistry: </p>
<p>UVA ranked #50
VT ranked #68</p>
<p>Computer Science: </p>
<p>UVA ranked #29
VT ranked #46</p>
<p>Math: </p>
<p>UVA ranked #40
VT ranked #48</p>
<p>Physics: </p>
<p>UVA ranked #36
VT ranked #64</p>
<p>And in case your son is interested in going to medical school, UVA's medical school is ranked #23, VT is on its way to building a medical school, getting it accredited and building its reputation. </p>
<p>Oh I almost forgot...since you guys are talking about engineering. Neither has a strong engineering program...VT is no MIT or CalTech...here are the rankings for both engineering grad programs: </p>
<p>UVA ranked #38
VT ranked #28. </p>
<p>From reading these posts, one might think that VT is ranked in the top ten...good thing we have reliable sources to tell us otherwise. </p>
<p>Best</a> Science Schools - Graduate Schools - Education - US News and World Report</p>
<p>UVa's engineering is indeed expanding, and it's hard for one to argue that either UVa's or VT's engineering is "better". It really comes down to personal preferences.</p>
<p>Of course so many other factors are in play in your decision so you should visit both, and if you have friends in both, don't hesitate to ask them about their experience (the more you ask the more accurate of a picture you can paint). You'll soon be able to see a difference in the two programs and select the one that fits you better.</p>
<p>What school would be better for engineering? UMD or UVA?</p>
<p>Kinda unrelated, but doesn't it all come down to graduate degrees and money made after getting one? Cuz I heard that graduating from JMU earns you more more money than VT... Need someone to clarify this :S</p>
<p>wahoomb you're using those rankings to judge a school? Seriously???</p>
<p>No, not at all, I actually don't believe in those rankings, however, when someone like guillaume says "VTech is superior in the sciences" then I start questioning where she gets those facts. I just wanted to show what rankings show, at least I have a source to back up my statements (that neither school is actually good at the sciences), unlike many people on these boards. So whenever you hear someone say "VTech is SO much better than UVA in blah blah"...well, they should probably back up their statements with something other words, personal experiences and hearsay.</p>
<p>By the way UMOpap, not to be a total jerk, but I read somewhere else that you said that MIT has a "decent econ program"...from what source are you gathering this information...with what can you back up this statement? It seems clear that you are not a fan of rankings, but if you were not aware, MIT's Econ Dept is far from "decent" and it is in fact rated No. 1 in the country. You may not agree with the rankings, but I find it hard to believe such a statement unless you have first hand experience with MIT's Econ Dept. My point is...base your statements with facts, so what you're saying can be a bit more credible.</p>
<p>My opinion is depends on what you like to do. The programs are not exactly alike. You you want a strong fundamental and like to be working in engineering most of you life go to VT. If you want more a more rounded engineer and like to be an engineering/supervisor/management go to UVA. Besides engineering, UVA has a lot more to offer.</p>
<p>Son is 2nd yr in UVA Engineering. As a high school senior, he was not 100% sure engineering is right for him. I went to a small engineering school and I encouraged him to chose a school that would give him more opportunity and exposure to other disciplines.</p>
<p>From what I have heard, VT engineering students are there to study engineering and the school does not help them branch out and minor or double major in liberal arts whereas UVA loves to have its e-school students mingle with the college.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses everyone.
Im interested in mechanical engineering right now, but i also wanted to perhaps minor in economics, as i really enjoy learning about that as well.
I know ill prolly figure this out on my own with experience, but does anyone know what type of engineering may go really well with economics? do most engineering disciplines go well with it??
I know industrial/systems can go really well with it, but i was wondering what other people think too.
thanks.</p>