I’m deciding between: Clemson, NC State, VA tech, and GA tech (engineering major)
I’m torn because some people say that where someone goes to college doesn’t matter at all (especially for undergrad), but others say it’s better to go to a more prestigious college when applying for jobs. I have advantages and drawbacks for all of them. GA tech is one of the best engineering schools, but it’s expensive- I’d have so much debt in student loans (is it even worth it?). Clemson/NC state probably aren’t on the same level as tech, but since I live in NC and I got a merit scholarship for Clemson, my tuition is about half of what GA and VA are. I also feel that I can accomplish more at NC state or Clemson because the competition will be lower- for example, I could potentially be part of a selective honors program, but at GA tech I would never make the cut.
I know people say to pick the college that “feels right”, but I would really be happy anywhere. They all seem pretty even- I’m a very picky person so I don’t find anywhere that’s perfect. For example, GA tech doesn’t have intramural sports and I’m sure I’m not good enough to be a part of the club tennis team. Travelling abroad has always been my dream, but at VA tech, out-of-state students have to pay MORE to go! Clemson is in the middle of farmland/nowhere. NC State’s campus isn’t my favorite. These all balance out in my eyes, so it doesn’t really matter in terms of campus/student life.
So talking about price vs college status…is it right to say that money isn’t an important factor and that I should go to the best college possible, or should I go with the thought that these schools are all pretty great, and whichever one I choose won’t make a huge difference?
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GA tech is one of the best engineering schools, but it’s expensive- I’d have so much debt in student loans (is it even worth it?). Clemson/NC state probably aren’t on the same level as tech, but since I live in NC and I got a merit scholarship for Clemson, my tuition is about half of what GA and VA are.
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Oh good heavens. Don’t go into a bunch of debt. Clemson and NC State are excellent for eng’g. GO to the one that is most affordable.
You’ve chosen some good schools, but cost of attendance is perhaps the most important component in choosing colleges. Here, NC State wins out and is a very good school for engineering. No one who matters is going to give a tinkers dam where you went to school except you and your family. Employers and grad schools will care only about how well you do in school and what intern experiences and skillsets you have. The question for engineering students is sometimes which firms and how many firms interview College A’s students? This you can learn from the school of engineering webpage. I wouldn’t think that you’ll have any problem getting interviews at any of these schools. The firms are not going to pay you more because you went to GT rather than Clemson, so let cost play a big role in your decision-making but don’t ignore on-campus interviewing. As far as one school being easier than another, it is true that GT has a reputation as a grinder, but all engineering is hard at any decent school. It’s only undergrad, and no one cares about reputation except you. You’ve named schools from nearby states, so I presume you won’t mind working in those states when you first graduate. GT is less regional than the others.
NC State and Clemson sound great if they are the most affordable and are probably your best bets. You would certainly not be limited to working in Virginia if you chose Virginia Tech (as they place students all over) , but the finances of paying for college are important. Georgia Tech is a great school but not sure it is worth a premium either. If your parents are wealthy and are willing to pay for any college you choose, then that’s a different story.
Have you actually visited the campuses of Clemson, NC State, VA Tech, or GA Tech, and spent time on them – such as staying in a dorm or sitting in on a class? If not, you should visit at a time when students are on campus; that may give you some important information about whether the school is really a place you will be comfortable at. It may also answer the question about where you really want to be.
I think money is a very important factor. If your parents can easily pay for whatever school you want, it might not be, but if you have to borrow to pay for a college then it does.
Enormous debt is not necessary. You have excellent choices with Clemson and NCSU, plus Virginia Tech. Can you do an overnight at each of them (ie., attend a couple classes, spend time with students, eat in the cafeteria, read the campus paper… to get an idea whether it’s a place where you’d like to live for 4 years?)
How much would Clemson, NCSU, and Vtech cost if you calculate the following:
(tuition, fees, room&board) - (grants, scholarships) = $ ?
How much debt (federal/stafford loans, any other loan?) are we talking about in each case?
Seeing the difference in cost may help us advise you better.
"Travelling abroad has always been my dream, but at VA tech, out-of-state students have to pay MORE to go! "
Off topics, but FYI - my D decided that the cost of studying abroad with her uni (which was the same as a semester of tuition, as if she had stayed at the school) was simply too high for study abroad - so she set up her own study abroad. There was a well known language school in the city of her choice (most major cities abroad have reputable language schools). She booked accommodation on airbnb, and spent her semester abroad for less than half of what her school would have charged. She also contacted her school’s study abroad campus in that same city and met up with the students from her uni, so she had that connection as well. But she was much more immersed in the language day to day than those students were (in fact, there were language exchange cafes in her neighborhood for locals who wanted to learn English), she was able to find a private tutor to practice conversation, and she came home fluent (from a near zero start in that language). No, she didn’t get college credit for the 3 hrs a day she spent in class - but she had the money saved for an additional semester when she returned to campus to take higher level classes in her major. Anyone can do this if they have some initiative and like being independent.