<p>Hi, I'm currently a junior and have a weighted GPA of 4.26 (unweighted 4.0), an ACT score of 31 (first time), and a class rank of 4/350. I'm an Alabama resident and with a 33 on my ACT, I can get the Presidential Scholarship to Auburn to pursue my desired major of Mechanical Engineering in the Honors College. My questions are: would attending Auburn be shooting too low? If so, should I consider more vigorous colleges such as Georgia Tech? Also, how much more impressive is an engineering degree from Georgia Tech to an employer than one from Auburn and is the immense workload of GT worth it? Thanks for all of your help in advance!</p>
<p>While GTech is usually considered a notch or two above Auburn, engineering will be plenty difficult at Auburn too. I’d take the scholarship to Auburn and not look back. Also, the honors college thing minimizes the difference between Auburn and GTech.</p>
<p>My PSAT was a 193 and I believe the cut off is normally around 210, so I don’t believe so. The $40K would be manageable for my parents, but I don’t see the sense in paying so much when I could attend Auburn on a scholarship. I’ll be talking more with my counselors about it, but it’s a huge relief to know that I can get a scholarship to a college that it is not aiming too low and also where I’ll know plenty of people from high school. Thanks for your advice!</p>
<p>My D’s stats are pretty similar to yours, and she is thrilled to be attending in the fall. The atmosphere won her over, and the honors college will make a big difference. They’re opening a new rec center in 2011, and the Village housing gives each person a private bedroom. Academically, she probably could have found a more rigorous school, but for her the positive attitude of staff and students really sealed the deal. She’s also a football fan and I cheated on our visit and took her to a game…SOLD!</p>
<p>Agree with Mom2CK. You will almost always find people smarter than yourself. GT has a better name in Engineering but Auburn won’t merit a lower starting salary.</p>
<p>As referenced above, GT’s extra cost probably doesn’t justify its superior reputation in Engineering. But in addition, the quality of campus life at Tech is rather unusual - sometimes in ways that don’t get very good assessments from students. I’d think that Auburn would offer a more well-rounded college experience as well as a more diverse and traditional curriculum.</p>
<p>I think what gadad means is that it generally is rated quite low for “quality of life rating” but idk how much the princeton review etc. actually know about a students quality of life…</p>
<p>Yes, I read in student reviews of GT that the workload is so overwhelming that it’s nearly impossible to have a social life and some students felt cheated of the “college experience.” Others also said that they felt “trapped” with a low GPA as they couldn’t transfer out. I suppose GT would not be someone’s college of choice if they were seeking a well-rounded college experience.</p>
<p>PR surveys rate Tech #2 in the country for “least accessible profs,” #5 for “profs get low marks,” and #4 for “class discussions rare.” The male/female mix on campus is 70/30. The academic climate is reputed to be more competitive than collaborative. And the entire curriculum is technology based. You can study History of Technology, but not regular history. There’s no English department or degree; the closest thing is a 5-year BS / MS program in “Literature, Communication, & Culture.”</p>
<p>*the quality of campus life at Tech is rather unusual - sometimes in ways that don’t get very good assessments from students. *</p>
<p>OK…this is my personal opinion, so no one flame me. LOL</p>
<p>There is a higher male to female ratio. Some guys don’t like that. Some (again, no flaming) boys don’t think the GT girls are very good looking. </p>
<p>Auburn would have a more equal male/female ratio, the girls are very pretty, and there’s more of a full college experience.</p>
<p>Remember, this question was about “campus life”.</p>
<p>Visit both campuses. My Georgia resident daughter visited Ga Tech and Auburn. Also participated in an overnight stay at GA Tech. Ask questions to students who are currently studying in your major about the classes, the profs, the campus, and whatever else is important to you.
With the scholarship which you qualify for at Auburn, you’ll appreciate having the money which you did not spend for undergrad if you decide to pursue a masters degree at any university.</p>