<p>Hey guys,
I'm currently torn between Georgia tech and the UVA Rodmans scholar program. I'm interested in biomedical engineering or comp-sci, and Tech seems to have higher ranked engineering programs in both. However, I've heard that lots of benefits come from the Rodman program and that although Georgia tech has a better engineering program, holistically, UVA is a better school. Anyone who is in UVA/Tech or anyone who has had to make a similar decision: please help :-/</p>
<p>My brother has the same dilemma that you do, but you have to remember that UVa and GTech are completely different atmospheres. GTech, if I am not mistaken, is predominantly engineering which is going to lead to a specific mindset that is present at the campus. In addition the student body is 2/3 male. This is going to contrast starkly with the more humanities focused UVa and its approximately 50:50 male to female ratio (I think it’s more like 55:45, female:male, but I’m not sure).</p>
<p>Just as my 2 cents when I was deciding where I went to college I never considered what the atmosphere was like, but I think that’s a complete mistake. I was lucky enough that UVa was a good fit for me, but it could have ended badly. UVa has a general stereotype, especially for engineers, of having students that are interested in several different fields and for being involved in a lot of extracurriculars. A lot of the Rodman Scholars I know are involved in Student Council, Mock Trial, and the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society and really enjoy those pursuits. I’m not sure what GTech is like, but those are some of the main points that I thought were pertinent to your question.</p>
<p>Have you visited both schools? There is a distinctly different vibe. My son is not a Rodman (second year mech’e) but he did consider GT. It’s a great school, no doubt, and has a lot to offer. I think visiting, talking with students, meeting with professors, looking into each program, you’ll get a very clear idea of which program is a better fit for you. </p>
<p>Congratulations on being named a Rodmans Scholar and best of luck!</p>
<p>You’ve gotten very good advice about the vibe. My D is a 4th year Rodman and the program has been an absolutely incredible experience for her. She didn’t apply to any other engineering schools because of what she perceived as a very rigid curriculum other places; she wanted the flexibility to explore other courses (languages, business) and UVA offered that. Other great perks: register early, study in Germany, Rodsems, the list goes on. If at all possible, I would definitely visit both schools - rankings are not always everything.</p>
<p>One of my friends is a second year in computer science, and she transferred to UVA from GT after a year. I can’t speak for her all that well, but she’s said that she personally fits in better now. She’s also from Virginia so being closer to home might be part of it.</p>
<p>That being said, to play devil’s advocate, I remember her talking about the lack of student activities and games during UVA’s Homecomings compared to GT. I don’t recall specific examples aside from a campus-wide game of Assassins, but it sounded more like a high-school spirit week with theme days and such than my idea of college homecomings. Just trying to give an example of different vibes.</p>
<p>I am in the exact same situation as you! I am an international student and I got into bme for UVA Rodman and GTech. What I am wondering is if I apply for GTech honors and get in, would that make much of a difference? Does anything change if I am in GTech honors not just GTech?</p>
<p>Also, I heard from my academic counselor that UVA is not having much success in research and accomplishment in comparison to their prestige these days. This comment is really worrying me, since I am a research-based student.</p>
<p>Overall, which of the two is better, if both are honors? Thank you in advance. :)</p>
<p>kkcool, congratulations on your Rodman invitation. I just want to make sure you understand that you haven’t been accepted to the BME major yet. </p>
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<p>Engineering students APPLY for their majors in their spring semester of first year. There are many, many students who apply for the BME major who are not accepted; it is a capped major and extremely competitive. Being a Rodman is not a guarantee of being accepted to your first choice major.</p>
<p>Thank you for your insightful comment and I will keep that in mind. Right now, I am leaning toward UVA over GTech. However, I want to know the benefits of GTech honors and how UVA honors and GTech honors are relatively comparable in the presumption that I am going to major in BME.</p>
<p>“Better” is in the eye of the beholder. Both GT and UVA are ABET accredited so you will find that the course requirements for engineering at both schools are very similar. Both GT and UVA follow the National Science Foundation (“NSF”) recommendations for engineering education, i.e., that it must incorporate elements of a liberal arts education. You will have close to the same number of required electives in various liberal arts subjects. You will have the opportunity to study foreign languages, philosophy, history or any other subject at both universities. Both universities have study abroad programs and will assist in finding summer internships.</p>
<p>What are the differences?</p>
<p>GT has an engineering technology vibe. UVA does not. Which do you prefer? </p>
<p>GT is very highly regarded for engineering and technology research. kkcool - if you truly are a research focused student then GT has a huge advantage over UVA. You can do research at UVA but if you ask anyone at the NSF which university is doing cutting edge research the answer would be GT. On the other hand, the professors may have equal teaching ability.</p>
<p>GT is in the middle of Atlanta. UVA is in Charlottesville. Do you prefer urban or smaller town? </p>
<p>GT does have a well establish co-op system (study some semesters and work at a company other semesters). UVA encourages summer internships only. Is co-op of any interest? If not, then no plus for GT.</p>
<p>Honors - IMHO “honors” really doesn’t deserve to be elevated in your decision process.</p>
<p>For DogLuva - </p>
<p>At UVA you have the choice of studying CS in the College of Engineering (B.S.) or in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.A.). The BA skips a good portion of the standard engineering curricula and would allow more flexibility to pursue other interests.</p>
<p>GT has its own College of Computing. The course requirements are more restrictive than UVA’s BA but similar to UVA’s BS.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input, I’ll probably visit georgia tech at the end of march, and uva mainly in april.</p>