<p>We have to make decision on which college my son should go before May 1. USC or George Tech. My son is interested in Engineering school, majoring in Airspace. Here are the factors</p>
<p>From money point of view.
My son is national merit finalist. USC gives half tuition off, plus other Engineering scholarship, student loan, and so on. Our total cost is about. $23000. George Tech only gives very little, our total cost to attend George Tech will be $27000.</p>
<p>Other Consideration.
USC (University of Southern California):<br>
National rank 27, Engineering rank 23, Airspace major ranks 13. We live in Oregon, California is closer to Oregon. Better alumni network.</p>
<p>George Tech (George Institute of Technology):
National ranks 36, Engineering rank 4, airspace ranks 13. 8 hours flight from Oregon to Atlanta</p>
<p>^ It's Georgia Tech, right? George Tech's partner in crime...;)</p>
<p>Did your son visit both?</p>
<p>Personally, I would choose USC for 3 reasons:
1. USC is slightly cheaper.
2. USC is a more well-rounded university, so if your son did not like engineering, there would be more majors to consider.
3. USC is closer to home. If he wants to settle on the west coast, USC has a fantastic alumni network.</p>
<p>Unless he really prefers GT's campus (which I'm not sure why anyone would unless they REALLY like atlanta) I'd go with USC. Cheaper, still a very good program, better environment, etc. When the rankings are like that I think you can safely throw them out of the equation.</p>
<p>Georgia Tech tends to get some low satisfaction marks from undergraduates. The faculty-student engagement is often poor, the 3-to-1 M-F ratio makes for an odd climate, and the school is all tech and only tech - no other fields or arts to balance it out. Great Engineering program, sure enough, but apparently not so much to enjoy about the overall experience. USC on the other hand, cracked the Princeton Review's list of Top 10 dream schools for this year's HS seniors. I could see someone from the East Coast wondering about whether to go cross-country and pay more for USC, but I doubt there'd be many who would do the same to go to Tech.</p>
<p>The thing about USC is that they are throwing SO MUCH MONEY around to attract top students, the school itself is getting better and better, and so is its reputation.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for the help. More opinions would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I personally like USC. I need more supportive information to convince not only my son, but also my husband. Or someone can convince me that Georgia Tech is better choice.</p>
<p>Um....exactly what is it that is holding your son back? The ranking in engineering? Not only that, for his intended major you say they are tied. USC is:</p>
<p>More recognized
Cheaper
Closer to home (even more shaved off expenses)
A college environment.</p>
<p>GA tech is:
Farther
More expensive
Lower Ranked
Higher ranked in his major</p>
<p>Personally I would choose the overall strong university, considering USC's alum connections and the ability to change majors would definitely be a huge benefit. What if your son stops liking engineering?</p>
<p>I think you should let your son choose, not his dad. Both schools are comparable in price and prestige. Some students do very well at USC and some students do very well at Georgia Tech. I think it depends on the individual. I do agree with all the other posts regarding USC.</p>
<p>Does he really want to do aerospace engineering and work for defense contractors or NASA? If this is his dream and he is unwavering, I think GT might be a better option. The reason I say this is because most of the defense contractors have, unfortunately, left southern CA for the south. GT might be more widely recruited by these companies over USC.</p>
<p>You might want to check with each school's career center and find out what companies actively recruit on campus.</p>
<p>I live near Atlanta. I was accepted to USC and I visited and loved it there. It seems really exciting and fun. But in the end I chose Emory.</p>
<p>Georgia Tech I was also accepted too. LOADS of students at my school go there. So Tech is full of people from local high schools. USC is more diverse.</p>
<p>Also, tech has grade deflation and generally people don't like professors. It is a very good school for engineering though.</p>
<p>Another thing about USC, it has better girls (and a lot MORE girls). That could be important ;D</p>
<p>Also, if he is not 100% sure he wants to do engineering, USC offers a lot of different majors and minors he can also pick up.</p>