Want to make a decision soon: UT Austin vs. Texas A&M

College Search & Selection
1

My parents and I narrowed the choices down to Texas A&M and UT Austin.

I’m going to be completely honest. UT Austin excites me more than Texas A&M. It’s growing into an important tech city. Their new engineering building] is going to be finished in time for the Fall 2017 semester (and will house the ECE department). They’re ranked higher (though not by much) and appear to have a reputation outside of Texas (as opposed to Texas A&M).

However, I tend towards conservative values, and have been accepted into Texas A&M engineering honors, which has a ton of benefits. I get priority registration, honors housing, better professors, better advising, etc.

I feel like I’ll have a more comfortable (and probably cheaper) “college experience” at Texas A&M, but my ambitious side is really leaning towards UT Austin.

I just got an email literally 20 minutes ago, letting me know I can select my room in the honors dorm tomorrow at 9:00 AM CST. I want to make my decision soon! :((

Anybody want to help me out? Should I go to an exciting school in an exciting city where I won’t fit in as well, or go to Texas A&M which is closer, cheaper, and more comfortable.

You don’t have to tell me exactly what school I should go to. I’ll appreciate any pointers or thoughts.

Thanks,
smh3005

2

Do you have direct admission to your engineering major at UT Austin?

Do you know that, at Texas A&M, you need to earn a 3.5 GPA in college to be assured of your engineering major, and that otherwise you face a competitive admission process to get into your engineering major?

Are both affordable to you and your parents?

3

Yes. I have direct admission into my engineering major at UT Austin.

Yes I did know that.

They are both affordable, but any saved money is important.

4

Generally, it is better to go the higher ranked school in your state. However, if you fit better at A&M and the costs are similar, go to A&M. Only you and your parents can make that decision.