I’ve been accepted to the engineering program at both of these colleges and both undecided. I would to either major in computer science or mechanical engineering. However the computer science program at umass is a separate college. Overall which college is better for me in the future and which will give me a better education and later a good job??? Also I am an out of state student for Virginia tech so how does travel come into play? Pls help.
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Both are the excellent in your area of studies. It should come down to cost (which includes travel), fit which to me that means personal observations only you can make (student body campus weather facilities social scene activities sports and overall vibe)
Congratulations on your acceptances! So you are in-state for MA?
Have you visited both? What do you think? Would you have to apply for CS at either or both schools? How competitive is admission to these? Are you thinking you want to get a way for college? Does U Mass feel too close?
I love the area where U Mass is located and that students can take advantage of the Five College Consortium. I can also tell you that VT alums (and I know very many, including very recent and current students) pretty unanimously love(d) their college experience and love the school and the town. Blacksburg has a nice area for for students adjacent to campus.
Engineering is very good at both schools. This seems like a case where the academics are probably not the main factor–since comparable–except to the extent one is harder or easier to move between engineering and CS. So it probably comes down to fit, environment, and AFFORDABILITY. On those criteria, what do you think?
I have visited both and liked them equally. However, at Tech I would have a year to decide my major since everyone gets accepted it’s the general engineering program. So if I wanted either CS or MechE I would need to keep at least a 3.0 gpa, but I’m not sure how hard or easy that would be there. At UMass to transfer into the CS college I would need a 3.0 gpa and at least a B in a math and CS that they specified. I have talked to someone who goes to Umass and they said the math course is manageable however the CS class is definitely more difficult and requires more time and effort.
As for affordability, Umass is definitely a lot cheaper since I’m in state. Tech would be ~15k more a year. Not sure if 60k extra in four years would be worth it.
UMass.
UMASS if you have no clear preference. We were just thru this with my daughter - if you are truly stuck between two things - anything - why on earth would you pick the more expensive one?
Also, I have seen in other threads parents complaining that it is very hard to get from VT to MA affordably by Air, and it a very very long drive. We are a 7 hr drive from VT, and it is really pretty, but don’t know how keen I would be on a 12 hr or more drive. (Daughter just committed to VT). UMass is beautiful, and inexpensive for you. Seems like you have done your research on the majors…one thing I would say is that at VT, in first year general engineering, one class is very heavy on MAT labs. My daughters friend said that helped him decide between MechE And EE, because MATlabs “wasn’t his thing “.
I suggest you take a look at an online course over the summer as an intro to MAT-labs. It may make your life (and GPA) a little easier freshman year.