I was accepted at both schools in addition to Lehigh University. I am planning to major in Environmental Science/engineering and possible seek a role in law or policy in the future or work for the EPA. I want to go to a school that has strong academics but also belong to a community where people help each other out and are not overly competitive. I want to have fun too! Wake was originally my first choice but after visiting twice I didn’t like the dynamic. The students seemed pretentious and there were undertones of conflicts with the administration. VIrginia Tech honors college would be a totally different experience but I really like the honors dorms and the learning community there. Students seem much more down to earth. I know Wake ranks much higher than VT and I only have one more day to decide. Any advice?
Any reason why you’re not into Lehigh? VTech Honors College is very good. Don’t go off rankings; if you liked the community and the dorms, then it seems like VTech is a better fit. Plus academically, VTech is a solid school.
Lehigh is very close to home and I have taken some classes there already. I wanted a different experience. Do you think ranking is an important factor given Wake is #27 and VT is in the #70s.
That is a significant difference in rankings, but honestly, who cares? Fit and price is honestly much more important than anything artifical ranking sites can say about them. This isn’t a case of prestige vs. no prestige, so go with VTech Honors.
Given your academic and career plans, VT is a very strong choice. And if you felt more of a fit socially, it seems like you’ve got your decision.