I’m international and I got admitted to Virginia Tech (College of Engineering) and UMass Amherst (College of Information and Computer Sciences).
I got admitted to few others and still waiting for a few more colleges, but I think I will eventually have to choose between VT and UMass. If I get into Penn State, UMN or UMD, then they may join in but it’s between VT and UMass for now.
I applied for CS and I’m pretty sure that’s the major I want to study.
However, I got Exploratory track in CICS for UMass which is basically undeclared major that I have to meet certain requirements to transfer to CS in a sophomore year. And for VT, I know all freshmen have to take general engineering course in the first year. So I guess both two schools would be same for me.
VT:
COA - 47k/yr
13th in Engineering program
40th in CS
More prestigious in terms of engineering
Much more school spirits
UMass Amherst:
COA - 42k/yr (12k/yr scholarship so the COA is reduced from 54k to 42k)
59th in Engineering program
20th in CS
Higher ranked for CS than VT
Great food
Safer environment
I’m not sure if engineering program ranking should play a big role here, but VT is so highly regarded in terms of engineering and more well-known that UMass I guess??
I’d like to know how is the job recruitment for big tech companies in both schools and if VT worth for extra 20k (total of 4 years).
Umass in a safer environment? Did not realize VT was in such a horrible area ??
UMass could be very difficult to switch into CS so make sure you know that it is a def possibility. Most kids I know who have tried have found it very hard to do so (live in MA so know A LOT of kids going there)
Congratulations on your acceptances! Those are two great choices.
I don’t know the specifics of getting into the CS program at either school, but it’s good you are considering that. Of course, some students do great right from the beginning, but very often student GPAs are lowest their first semester or two in college. Expectations are different than in high school. College requires greater responsibility in managing one’s schedule. How often do I study? How do I manage to work in crowded dorms? Where is a good place to study? When is the best time to study? It’s just also a big personal transition, often moving from home with parent(s) and other family members to a new place with lots of new people (who are also going through the same things). All of this might be harder for an international student, especially if language is an issue, or just something more of a challenge. So really excelling can be more challenging.
So do give consideration to requirements to major in CS. A student with a 4.0 in high school might think, I just need to get a 3.5 to study CS. But that might be very challenging for college freshmen, especially with some computer and engineering classes.
Both schools are very good and very safe. VT is in a classic American college town. Sports are very big time. It does have a heavily male population, if that is a factor. U Mass is also in a nice college town. I think the campus is much more attractive than 20 years ago when it had a high ratio of large ugly concrete buildings. More recent construction has given the campus a better look. A quick stat check showed it with a 51%/49% male/female population. Tech, in contrast, is something like 60% male.
Both are cold. Amherst is much farther north, but Va Tech is in the mountains.
Of the other schools, Penn State is in a college town fairly similar to Va Tech/Blacksburg. Sports, especially football, are also very big. It is in a remote area. The campus is very far from any major urban center, though the school has a great alumni network all over the country, especially in the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern region. Maryland is in a fairly nice suburban area, a Metro (subway) ride from Washington DC, which does provide opportunities, though student life is generally focused on the campus and nearby restaurants, bars, etc. Minnesota is one of the most urban state flagship universities. Minneapolis/St. Paul (the Twin Cities) make up the heart of a large metropolitan area. They are great cities (and very, very cold). All terrific schools.
I’m curious why you say that UMass has better food and a safer environment as compared to VT. VT is consistently ranked as #1 nationally for college food. TTG already addressed that VT is very safe.
It is not the same for you in terms of admission to the CS department at UMass vs VT. At UMass some are admitted directly as freshmen and you were not in that group-- most of the CS spots are likely taken. At VT all students are admitted to general engineering and then all apply to majors as sophomores. You’re disadvantaged at UMass but not VT.
UMass is generally considered as one of the top schools in the country for CS, in the 20ish range. You’ll want to find out the percentage of people who actually do get admitted to CS from the exploratory track.
Don’t worry about the rankings here. Both schools are very reputable. What’s most important is fit and where you think you will have the most opportunities.
Both are very expensive. Can you take classes at community college to save money and help maintain a High gpa?
If you want a college town, I’d say UMass. If you want lots of school spirit and great sports, I’d say VT. Both have similar party scenes.