I will shortly be deciding where to attend college next year and I am completely torn between the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Clemson University. I have already been accepted to all three. I will be majoring in biology and possibly double majoring with psychology. I expect that I will want to go on to graduate school.
UVa is the most prestigious school of the three but I fear that I do not like the people that go there. Certainly, with thousands of students I will find a group of friends with which I belong; however, I can’t help but dread the general atmosphere/attitudes of the students. Also, I wonder if I am better off being a stand-out student at a less prestigious school or an average student at a higher ranking school (especially in regard to getting into grad school).
I like the people at Tech and Clemson much more. However, I do not like Tech’s campus and think it is too big. I prefer Clemson’s size, location and campus to Tech but worry that it is less known for its academic quality. Will going to either of these schools hurt my future employment or career compared to going to UVa?
Am I a fool to turn down UVa or are my concerns valid? I would love input from students/graduates from either of these schools.
The first question: what are the cost differences between the options?
Are you planning on going to admit weekends for any of the three? You may find it helpful to stop by the career center to get information about employment and graduate school placement rates.
$6000 x 4 = $24,000! Are you a VA resident? We are. I was recently waited on in a store by a very nice young graduate of Clemson who said he has about $50k in student loans. And he’s working retail. If you can go in state with less debt do it. If someone will pay full freight for you to go to Clemson go there if you want. JMO but UVA/Tech for less seems like a better investment.
I greatly like and respect all three schools. However, if UVa is affordable, I believe you’d be crazy to go elsewhere. I certainly understand your “people” concerns, but I am sure you will easily find many individuals at UVa who will become close friends (your concern is not unusual, but almost everyone soon loves his college experience). Obviously, as you know, the academics, networking, and professional opportunities afforded by UVa will be even better than those provided by Clemson and VPI.
One of my kids went to UVa , the other to VT. UVa is great but it is not for everybody. And VT (and I’m sure Clemson as well) also has very good “academics, networking , and professional opportunities.” Social fit is important. My VT kid was more laid back, was a better fit for VT. He did not apply to UVa in high school because of his high school grades. But he did very well his freshman year at VT (3.9 in engineering) but had no interest in trying to transfer to UVa because of “prestige” (and I guess that might be really what you’re getting at?). He was comfortable at VT and it really was the better place for him. He was certainly not disadvantaged by going to VT as opposed to UVa.
First, let me comment this is a situation of choosing among 3 great options and you are not going to make a mistake going with any of these schools.
I understand your dilemma and as a VA resident, UVA and VT were schools our DD seriously considered, but ultimately chose Clemson. Her situation was different as an engineering major.
Re UVA, I will just say to be sure to research any requirements they have to enter the upper division level programs you are interested in. In some of their programs, the enrollment in certain majors is capped and so you have to compete again just to get your degree in the field you want. But there’s no doubt it’s a first rate school.
If the cost of Clemson is not a hardship for your family, then I think you should give weight to the “fit” and the factors you enjoy about Clemson. The alumni network was just ranked #1 by Princeton Review and the Career Center also gets high marks. Clemson is on a clear path moving up in the rankings nationally, and I think the name recognition & reputation will only grow over the next few years.
I would recommend you research the grad programs at all 3 and see if there are benefits like 5 year Master’s. That is a cost-savings in itself and then you could go somewhere else for a PhD.
One last observation, in response to the Clemson grad in debt mentioned above. A guy at our local office supply store who wears his UVA class ring told me he’s been unable to find work in his field (liberal arts major). These are all anecdotal stories and there are students from any school who graduate in debt and have trouble finding better jobs.
Best of luck to you and you will be just fine with any of these choices!
According to the Princeton Review, all three of the schools you are interested in are in the top 10 for “Best Alumni Network.” You really can’t go wrong with any of these schools. The top 10 are 1. Clemson 2. Dartmouth 3. Stanford 4. Texas A & M 5. Virginia Tech 6. Penn State 7. CMU 8. UVa 9. Cornell 10. Vanderbilt
I would go with fit and cost. Good luck with the decision.
Then having notable undergrad debt is not a good idea. If your parents will pay the extra $6,000 per year, then go to Clemson if you want. Just don’t take out loans yourself, to do it.
I also agree that you probably can find a good group of friends at UVa. It has all types of people.
Can you visit all three again? Agree that you can probably find a good group of friends at UVa. Also, I think you could probably learn to adapt to VT’ s size. I never found the size overwhelming at all but that is a matter of personal perception. Only you and your family can decide if $6000 a year more for Clemson would be worth it.