Georgia Tech (OOS) or UVA (in-state) for Aerospace Engineering? Need to decide by April 30th. TIA

[Anonymous]

Title says it, I guess. I'm trying to decide between the two. Parents are cool about the OOS tuition but the difference is at least $20K a year. My concern is that I am not 100% convinced I want to do aerospace engineering. I think I do. I've done well on all the testing and have had calculus and scored well on subject matter tests and got in everywhere I applied. I'm just scared I'm making a big mistake if I go to a Tech school and decide after a year that I might want something not in the math or the sciences. I'm only 17 so find it difficult to make a life choice this minute but have to. I don't want to do a gap year. UVA has aerospace engineering, too, but the Ga Tech program is clearly in another league. Yes, I've toured both campuses (and others). Confused. I could make another two trips to both campuses next week, but am running out of time. Thanks for any advice you might have.

[Anonymous]

What else could you major in at tech if you get there and loathe aerospace engineering?

[Anonymous]

Not a compelling basis for the huge tuition difference.

[Anonymous]

Georgia tech is one of the top engineering schools in the country. The job offers post graduation are phenomenal. The question isn't if you want to do aerospace but if you want a stem degree. If you want a business degree go to UVA.

[Anonymous]

I get the aerospace thing, but in general, there is very little reason to ever turn down UVA in-state, given the still not unreasonable tuition.

[Anonymous]

Hands down UVA if you aren't 100% committed to Aerospace- so many other good degree programs if you change your mind. And you will get a good well-rounded education there.

I'm biased b.c I love Charlottesville and would love to move there.

Best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

If you said Virginia Tech, it's a no brainer, stay in state. But UVA vs. GT for aerospace? It's a no brainer. GT is the obvious choice. We hire a lot of engineers (including aerospace) and, after Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech is where we recruit from the most. We have very few from UVA.

[Anonymous]

Even if you don't end up with an engineering career, an engineering degree is valuable. You can go on to do really anything with excellent skills - analysis, problem solving, etc. It's a great foundation for almost anything. Finance, medicine, architecture, strategic consulting, etc.

I'd go for the strong program and then reevaluate for grad school or whatever is next. If you decide much earlier that it's not for you transferring to another college is another option.

It's a tough decision. Start working those analytical skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Title says it, I guess. I'm trying to decide between the two. Parents are cool about the OOS tuition but the difference is at least $20K a year. My concern is that I am not 100% convinced I want to do aerospace engineering. I think I do. I've done well on all the testing and have had calculus and scored well on subject matter tests and got in everywhere I applied. I'm just scared I'm making a big mistake if I go to a Tech school and decide after a year that I might want something not in the math or the sciences. I'm only 17 so find it difficult to make a life choice this minute but have to. I don't want to do a gap year. UVA has aerospace engineering, too, but the Ga Tech program is clearly in another league. Yes, I've toured both campuses (and others). Confused. I could make another two trips to both campuses next week, but am running out of time. Thanks for any advice you might have.

A very smart friend of mine went through the same process and chose UVA. He has been very successful. A lot more depends on the student than it does the school. GT is clearly a better school for engineering based on rankings, but IMO it's not so much better that other factors (like 80K in tuition) shouldn't have equal or more weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get the aerospace thing, but in general, there is very little reason to ever turn down UVA in-state, given the still not unreasonable tuition.

Get out of this area and try a new city. You can avoid the lemmings from NoVA who think VA schools are the only option.

[Anonymous]

Gtech offers co-op opportunities, dont underestimate that aspect. Also agree with PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you said Virginia Tech, it's a no brainer, stay in state. But UVA vs. GT for aerospace? It's a no brainer. GT is the obvious choice. We hire a lot of engineers (including aerospace) and, after Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech is where we recruit from the most. We have very few from UVA.

+1

[Anonymous]

They will have a job by the time they are a junior at Ga Tech and that job will easily cover their student loans and the hiring company will probably cover a lot of it including grad school.

[Anonymous]

Op - Vtech not an option?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get the aerospace thing, but in general, there is very little reason to ever turn down UVA in-state, given the still not unreasonable tuition.

Get out of this area and try a new city. You can avoid the lemmings from NoVA who think VA schools are the only option.

+1. It is such a valuable experience to be exposed to a different environment. If you keep your grades up but don't want to stay in Engineering you can always transfer.