Hi,
I’ve been accepted to Georgia Tech, George Washington U. and University of Florida.
For GA Tech, it’s pretty much out of the question- they only offered me 23k of the 45 it costs per year. I have 47k in my college fund for 4 years, not enough to pay for that.
GWU has offered me approximately 50k in grants of the 66k it costs per year (including additional expenses). I am likely to receive a similar aid package in subsequent years, so i’m looking at roughly 64k to pay in increments for fours years- a minimum of 17k to pay outside of my college fund.
UF, however, has charged me the in-state sticker price, and I would be able to graduate debt-free if i use the fund to pay the money they’re offering in loans.
I’m planning on doing Biomedical Engineering right now. However, I am not 100% sure if I might change majors- I have a wide range of interests. I might become more interested in pursuing Biophysics or even Economics. I also recently visited GWU and loved the campus feel and overall experience, as well as Foggy Bottom and D.C. I’ve never been to UF, but I do know that the dorms have a reputation of being below par in quality, whereas GWU has very nice dorms and a new Applied Science and Engineering Hall (which I toured). I grew up in Jamaica by the way, so I am concerned about those bitter winters in D.C.
So which do you suggest I choose? A response from a parent, student, alumnus, etc…anyone would be helpful. Thanks.
All three are excellent schools. Given the difference in money, and knowing nothing about the particular departments of these schools (other than GA Tech’s big edge for engineering), Florida seems to be the best choice – especially given that you are not sure about your major. I am just talking big picture and considering money and the general prestige of the schools, at least GW and Florida. I would lean towards GA Tech – by far the best engineering school of the three – but for the cost difference and the fact that you may end up in another major. Maybe with someone with more knowledge of the engineering departments at GW and Florida can chime in.
Go with the University of Florida. It is an excellent school and you will graduate without any loans. The biotech program at Georgia Tech is ranked 4th in the U.S. However, from everything I read Georgia Tech is very tough and you may not be able to graduate in 4 years, which would dramatically increase your cost. Florida is ranked higher than George Washington. Again, if you have to extend your education for any reason the cost of attending Florida would be considerably less. You can use the money you save for graduate school.
UF, money aside it has the best range of majors and you’ll find it’s very “friendly” when it comes to exploring different majors (and switching majors).
Don’t worry about the Dorms, while the freshman dorms are old school (single rooms, community bathrooms and not suites), they also are fairly inexpensive and extremely social. After your first year, you’ll move up to the better dorms or move off campus (where housing prices are reasonable).
Biomedical Engineering is a limited access program at UF. They limit the number of students, so you’ll have to work hard to gain access. However, it’s an excellent program with lots of research opportunities.