<p>I was accepted to both UVA and VT for engineering last Friday! I'm looking to keep college costs down, so I am probably staying instate and will decide between these two schools. I have visited both and I liked both, and unfortunately did not have any gut feelings or love-at-first-sight for either school. I know VT is ahead of UVA in engineering rankings and is considered the more traditional engineering school, but in context, both are fantastic engineering programs and both produce very successful and knowledgeable engineers, so I'm not really worried about the ranking difference. Does anyone have any advice? I've talked to engineering students from both schools and they all seem quite intelligent and down to earth people. I'd be happy at either, probably.</p>
<p>You’re right, both are great schools. Congrats on getting in!</p>
<p>To me, location is a big deal, and Charlottesville is wayyy better than Blacksburg. Also, and I know this may go against the grain of some, but UVA’s overall rankings in addition to its engineering ranking would come into play for me. It is a top ranked public school and a target for many other opportunities in addition to engineering. Just my opinion.</p>
<p>I’m not sure I could pass up the chance to go to UVA.</p>
<p>No brainer for Engg… VT…well regarded for this discipline in the US and internationally…and most importantly amongst other Engg. schools (if you want to go to Grad school) and employers. Since you are in-state, it will be fairly inexpensive as well.</p>
<p>Congratulates on being accepted to both. Either school should lead to to a successful career. UVA boast about being a liberal arts university and offer engineering students a well rounded experience while engineering at Tech geared towards students who want to maximize their STEM education. One question to ask yourself is which experience do you prefer. </p>
<p>Are there any engineering majors (ME, EE, CE) that Tech may have an edge over UVA, or vice versa? Our junior son is considering both, and just wanted some further insight. Many thanks.</p>
<p>I will give you the completely biased answer from the point of view of this Hokie. VT is by far the better school in all engineering areas.</p>
<p>With that out of the way so they don’t take away my degree 
- I will tell you that both are fine schools, and there is a healthy level of respect between the two communities to go along with the rivalry . What it really comes down to is the campus experience you are looking for. I personally find Blacksburg a more pleasant area than Charlottesville. Both schools have pretty close knit alumni, although I think the Hokies are a little nuts. They “wave the flag” pretty hard on campus when you go to visit.</p>
<p>This Hokie’s parent says go to VT. DD1 has had fantastic opportunities and experiences as have all of her friends. Friends’ daughter is at UVA Eng and they regret their choice. They went for the overall prestige of the school but find engineering lacking.</p>
<p>I have an engineering grad son from each school… You should have good opportunities from either school and you are wise to stay instate to keep cost down. You can’t go wrong with either choice. </p>
<p>I know two people from each program. ~10 years out of school the VT grads are still doing engineering work whereas the UVA grads started off doing engineering work and now are engineering project managers and on a more management path. This is due more to their personalities than their alma maters, but might indicate what type of person attends each program.</p>
<p>Thanks all for the input. U Alabama is also in the mix because of the expected generous scholarship (free tuition plus $2500/yr for engineering majors). </p>
<p>I would take into consideration the possibility that you might end up not liking engineering and switching majors as lots of students do every year. While VT does have a better reputation in engineering, it falls way behind in everything else compared to UVA.
I’m a senior too and decisions are hard. It’ll work out eventually…</p>
<p>Sorry for the late reply! I still have not made a decision, and it’s becoming extremely difficult to make up my mind. I have done a lot of research on both schools, and they both are truly amazing for engineering, in different ways. I have talked to students from both schools, and they all were nice, smart people with good insight on their respective programs. I am really having a tough time deciding…I am interested in nearly all engineering disciplines, with a particular eye for CS/EE/CpE. I want to receive the best engineering education I can and get an engineering job after graduating (I do not think I want to go to graduate school unless my work requires it). I like that VT puts a huge focus on its engineering programs with its budget, but, I also like that UVA has a smaller engineering school and pushes for a well-rounded education. VT and UVA tied on Payscale this year for starting and mid-year salaries (university wide, I didn’t see engineering comparisons). I don’t have a preference for one school or another yet. The non-academic aspects of both schools are not a huge factor in my decision, as I liked both environments and I believe I will fit in fine at either. I have three weeks left to decide, and the more I think about it, the more lost I feel. :/</p>
<p>VT, absolutely. And if you change your mind about engineering, there are plenty of other very good departments at VT that can lead to a fulfilling career, including the liberal arts. Renouned poet Nikki Giovanni is a tenured professor in the VT English Department, for example.</p>
<p>As your research has shown you, they are both good programs with successful graduates. UVa kids have a higher average SAT but it is a MUCH smaller program and VT engineering has many kids with similar SAT’s. The top employers for recent UVa engineering grads were Microsoft, Accenture, Deloitte, Booz, GE and Amazon. Top employers for Virginia Tech grads were Deloitte, Accenture, GE, Microsoft, and Amazon. As you can see, very similar. More UVa grads seem to gravitiate to consulting but VT does have kids going that route as well. This is a difficult decison and you can’t go wrong with either choice. It could come down to where you see yourself living and thriving for the next 4 years. The schools do have a different vibe and only you know where you would fit in best.
<a href=“http://www.seas.virginia.edu/admin/careerdev/files/seasannualreport.pdf”>http://www.seas.virginia.edu/admin/careerdev/files/seasannualreport.pdf</a>
<a href=“http://www.career.vt.edu/PostGraduationSurveyReport”>http://www.career.vt.edu/PostGraduationSurveyReport</a>
Sorry, the links don’t seem to work but if you google, you can probably find the info without much effort. Google Virginia Tech Career Services for instance. The Post Grad Survey is on the left. Good luck with the decision! I loved visiting both Charlottesville and Blacksburg. You truly can’t go wrong here.</p>