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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Very different social scenes. Ga Tech is 70% male and many internationals. UVA seemed the opposite. I got into engineering because I'm finishing my pilot's license and love flying. I'm good with calculus but don't "Breath it" so am concerned I'm not nerdy enough for Ga Tech. Where did you, 14:21, go to school?

Well, UVa is more about the math and the theory behind things. GA tech would have more applied classes that might interest you more.

Don't worry about the class makeup. I was a gal in engineering grad school with mostly foreign students 20 years ago and I really enjoyed it. Foreign students are actually human beings as well and I enjoyed their company very much.

A "gal"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 years from now, do you want to be an upper level aero space engineer or do you want to manage the engineers? That's your answer.

This is OP. That is exactly what someone who studied aerospace engineering at UVA said to me when I toured. I do like business, economics and poly-sci as well STEM. Thank you everyone for your posts. I have been reaching out to some of the faculty on both campuses and trying to talk to them after I get home from school. Thank you for all your views.

This isn't accurate at all. Not one bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 years from now, do you want to be an upper level aero space engineer or do you want to manage the engineers? That's your answer.

This is OP. That is exactly what someone who studied aerospace engineering at UVA said to me when I toured. I do like business, economics and poly-sci as well STEM. Thank you everyone for your posts. I have been reaching out to some of the faculty on both campuses and trying to talk to them after I get home from school. Thank you for all your views.

This isn't accurate at all. Not one bit.

I don't get what they are implying.
Most engineers don't want to be in management, so which one gets stuck there? Uva or Gtech?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree. I only let my DD apply to a single in state school as an emergency financial backup. Luckily nothing happened and my DD was able to pick the OOS school she preferred. She is thrilled there and we are very happy for her. Still perturbed she didn't pick GT like I wanted her to but she made the right decision for herself and I respect that. People in Va do not want their kids to explore the world but to stay close and follow their footsteps.

And you would know this how exactly? People in VA are some of the most worldly I've met. That's one of the things that attracted us when we moved here after stints in China and Europe.

I think many people in VA, as in other states have become very conscious of the ridiculously high cost of college and are opting not to saddle their kids with debt, all in the name of getting an education out of state. Increasingly, OOS schools who want smart VA students are realizing that an offering in-state tuition as an enticement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 years from now, do you want to be an upper level aero space engineer or do you want to manage the engineers? That's your answer.

This is OP. That is exactly what someone who studied aerospace engineering at UVA said to me when I toured. I do like business, economics and poly-sci as well STEM. Thank you everyone for your posts. I have been reaching out to some of the faculty on both campuses and trying to talk to them after I get home from school. Thank you for all your views.

This isn't accurate at all. Not one bit.

I agree. WTH does that mean??

- an engineer

[Anonymous]

I would go to the school with the strongest campus recruiting program and a wide variety of employers hiring. My main goal in attending college was to get a great job out of college and make money. It's a competitive world and I would focus on employment post graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 years from now, do you want to be an upper level aero space engineer or do you want to manage the engineers? That's your answer.

This is OP. That is exactly what someone who studied aerospace engineering at UVA said to me when I toured. I do like business, economics and poly-sci as well STEM. Thank you everyone for your posts. I have been reaching out to some of the faculty on both campuses and trying to talk to them after I get home from school. Thank you for all your views.

I am super impressed with you, OP. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders. Congratulations on your acceptances and best of luck with your decision. I know you engineering types can get caught up in your heads about this sort of thing...so I will tell you to trust your gut/instincts too. You will meet the best friends of your life in college, hopefully.

I was trying to decide between UVA and W&M back in the day...and I couldn't get past the wearing sports jackets to football games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 years from now, do you want to be an upper level aero space engineer or do you want to manage the engineers? That's your answer.

This is OP. That is exactly what someone who studied aerospace engineering at UVA said to me when I toured. I do like business, economics and poly-sci as well STEM. Thank you everyone for your posts. I have been reaching out to some of the faculty on both campuses and trying to talk to them after I get home from school. Thank you for all your views.

[Anonymous]

I went to UVA for Aerospace and also considered GTech. Graduating from high school I was dead set on Aero and couldn't imagine doing anything else. I ultimately chose UVA because I loved the atmosphere and wanted a well rounded college experience. The UVA program is very theoretical and you won't spend a lot of time tinkering and building projects in labs. You might not get the design/build experiences in UVA's classroom environment, but you can dive in through the engineering student groups and participate in a wide range of design projects. Check out: http://www.seas.virginia.edu/students/ and see if there are engineering clubs that interest you. If you join an existing club that covers your interests I think you will get the best of both worlds: Theoretical Engineering in the Classroom and Hands On Applied Engineering through your club activities. There is also the opportunity to study outside the E-school and you will have required electives in the School of Arts and Sciences. With a few extra classes on top of the required electives, you could minor or even double major in another subject. I ended up also graduating with an Econ major in addition to my Engineering degree, which I think has helped make me very marketable. I am now working in Defense consulting and I think the theoretical engineering curriculum helped prepare me for a career where the problems are sometimes vague with undefined parameters. Unfortunately, after four years of engineering school, I probably still can't fix a broken microwave. I should have joined the microwave club I suppose. Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

I was trying to decide between UVA and W&M back in the day...and I couldn't get past the wearing sports jackets to football games.

Yeah, that's not the way the majority dresses anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to UVA for Aerospace and also considered GTech. Graduating from high school I was dead set on Aero and couldn't imagine doing anything else. I ultimately chose UVA because I loved the atmosphere and wanted a well rounded college experience. The UVA program is very theoretical and you won't spend a lot of time tinkering and building projects in labs. You might not get the design/build experiences in UVA's classroom environment, but you can dive in through the engineering student groups and participate in a wide range of design projects. Check out: http://www.seas.virginia.edu/students/ and see if there are engineering clubs that interest you. If you join an existing club that covers your interests I think you will get the best of both worlds: Theoretical Engineering in the Classroom and Hands On Applied Engineering through your club activities. There is also the opportunity to study outside the E-school and you will have required electives in the School of Arts and Sciences. With a few extra classes on top of the required electives, you could minor or even double major in another subject. I ended up also graduating with an Econ major in addition to my Engineering degree, which I think has helped make me very marketable. I am now working in Defense consulting and I think the theoretical engineering curriculum helped prepare me for a career where the problems are sometimes vague with undefined parameters. Unfortunately, after four years of engineering school, I probably still can't fix a broken microwave. I should have joined the microwave club I suppose. Hope this helps.

Thank you. This is OP. It does. The other comments about parents forcing their kids into Virginia schools is crazy talk. My friends would kill to be in my position. It is so difficult to get into UVA from Northern Virginia. I was stunned that it happened to me and I'm still not sure why. From conversations with my friends I can tell you that no parents are "forcing" their kids into Virginia schools to keep them from exploring the world. That kind of talk just doesn't make sense. Most of the parents and students at my school worked together as teams trying to find the right fit and applied all over the United States and some even in Scotland and England. Most parents were upfront with my friends if they couldn't afford a certain school but hoped for financial aid, especially packages from the schools. Several of my friends didn't get into GMU or other Va schools and were devastated. The cost of all of these schools is apparent even to us kids - we understand the value of in-state tuition vs. what an Ivy costs and we know what that means for our parents or for us with debt in the future. We're not the idiots or lemmings you call us. I understand completely the difference between Ga Tech at $55K a year and UVA at $27K a year. I also know what additional grad work for a Masters' or Ph.D. will cost me in loans or my parents. You parents make us students sound like lemmings whose parents force us unwillingly into Virginia schools. You couldn't be more wrong. I think I speak for all of us saying we understand the value and are grateful. One of my friends was told she would have to go to community college . . . after getting into some of the Virginia schools but not the financial aid package needed. Her parents just can't afford it and the financial offers from privates are not great enough to cover the total need they have.. We are all acutely aware of the high cost of college and none of us are being forced to attend Virginia schools (??? I only know one other who got into UVA) so they won't see the world. We know a great opportunity. It hurts me to see some of you attack schools that many of us would either kill to get into, or are thrilled to be attending, or must attend because community college is the only way to get back into UVA (taking the two years, getting the necessary GPA and coming in junior year). Try to be a high school student going through this process. This has been probably both the best and the worst year of my life. I can tell it has not been easy for my parents either. I'm trying to make the best pick for me but be sensitive to cost and also to my uncertainty that I may find myself in a year's time thinking Tech School wasn't the right place for me. Last fall when I applied EA and got in everywhere I applied, I was sure I wanted aerospace engineering. I was also sure my dream school was Cornell (good for aerospace) but got deferred. Now I realize that wouldn't have been right for me either, especially at $75K a year with travel included from Virginia. I've seen my friends change plans again and again. I've seen them cry when they didn't get in - unfortunately, a lot of schools release during the school day so we're at school when we find it. Well, thanks for the info. I appreciate those comments from those who really tried to help.

[Anonymous]

I've met a few adults in real life here who were disappointed that their parents wouldn't even consider paying for OOS schools - even 10-20 years ago. And some of the comments I've already heard from other parents of young children. They are doing VA Prepaid Plan because they say that VA schools are the only option for their kids. I've noticed similar comments on DCUM too. I've found it to be a very prevalent attitude here in VA.

Maybe it didn't happen with you and your friends but it happens. Be thankful that you have a good in-state option AND an OOS options too. You have more choices than others.

Also, you are mixing up posts a bit. Someone said you'd be a "fool" to consider anything other than UVA. I am the "lemmings" poster and I never attacked state schools at all. Only the attitude that they are the *only* option. Anyway, give that is not applicable to you I wouldn't sweat it.

Good luck, OP. Sounds like a tough process. When this tiny baby I'm holding grows up I'm sure it will be tough for her too. Not looking forward to that.

[Anonymous]

Parent of HS sophomore here and I have already discussed with DC how I started at community college (ended up summa graduate from both UMD and a top law school) and i am living proof that everything will be just fine for someone who goes to NOVA for two years and transfers to UVA after. That is a fabulous and more affordable option. OP - you sound wise and thoughtful. Your friends and you will all be okay, even if there ends up being some transferring down the road - it's all part of life's big adventure. Good luck and enjoy wherever it takes you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to UVA for Aerospace and also considered GTech. Graduating from high school I was dead set on Aero and couldn't imagine doing anything else. I ultimately chose UVA because I loved the atmosphere and wanted a well rounded college experience. The UVA program is very theoretical and you won't spend a lot of time tinkering and building projects in labs. You might not get the design/build experiences in UVA's classroom environment, but you can dive in through the engineering student groups and participate in a wide range of design projects. Check out: http://www.seas.virginia.edu/students/ and see if there are engineering clubs that interest you. If you join an existing club that covers your interests I think you will get the best of both worlds: Theoretical Engineering in the Classroom and Hands On Applied Engineering through your club activities. There is also the opportunity to study outside the E-school and you will have required electives in the School of Arts and Sciences. With a few extra classes on top of the required electives, you could minor or even double major in another subject. I ended up also graduating with an Econ major in addition to my Engineering degree, which I think has helped make me very marketable. I am now working in Defense consulting and I think the theoretical engineering curriculum helped prepare me for a career where the problems are sometimes vague with undefined parameters. Unfortunately, after four years of engineering school, I probably still can't fix a broken microwave. I should have joined the microwave club I suppose. Hope this helps.

Thank you. This is OP. It does. The other comments about parents forcing their kids into Virginia schools is crazy talk. My friends would kill to be in my position. It is so difficult to get into UVA from Northern Virginia. I was stunned that it happened to me and I'm still not sure why. From conversations with my friends I can tell you that no parents are "forcing" their kids into Virginia schools to keep them from exploring the world. That kind of talk just doesn't make sense. Most of the parents and students at my school worked together as teams trying to find the right fit and applied all over the United States and some even in Scotland and England. Most parents were upfront with my friends if they couldn't afford a certain school but hoped for financial aid, especially packages from the schools. Several of my friends didn't get into GMU or other Va schools and were devastated. The cost of all of these schools is apparent even to us kids - we understand the value of in-state tuition vs. what an Ivy costs and we know what that means for our parents or for us with debt in the future. We're not the idiots or lemmings you call us. I understand completely the difference between Ga Tech at $55K a year and UVA at $27K a year. I also know what additional grad work for a Masters' or Ph.D. will cost me in loans or my parents. You parents make us students sound like lemmings whose parents force us unwillingly into Virginia schools. You couldn't be more wrong. I think I speak for all of us saying we understand the value and are grateful. One of my friends was told she would have to go to community college . . . after getting into some of the Virginia schools but not the financial aid package needed. Her parents just can't afford it and the financial offers from privates are not great enough to cover the total need they have.. We are all acutely aware of the high cost of college and none of us are being forced to attend Virginia schools (??? I only know one other who got into UVA) so they won't see the world. We know a great opportunity. It hurts me to see some of you attack schools that many of us would either kill to get into, or are thrilled to be attending, or must attend because community college is the only way to get back into UVA (taking the two years, getting the necessary GPA and coming in junior year). Try to be a high school student going through this process. This has been probably both the best and the worst year of my life. I can tell it has not been easy for my parents either. I'm trying to make the best pick for me but be sensitive to cost and also to my uncertainty that I may find myself in a year's time thinking Tech School wasn't the right place for me. Last fall when I applied EA and got in everywhere I applied, I was sure I wanted aerospace engineering. I was also sure my dream school was Cornell (good for aerospace) but got deferred. Now I realize that wouldn't have been right for me either, especially at $75K a year with travel included from Virginia. I've seen my friends change plans again and again. I've seen them cry when they didn't get in - unfortunately, a lot of schools release during the school day so we're at school when we find it. Well, thanks for the info. I appreciate those comments from those who really tried to help.

Oh, no, Hon, no one pays for engineering grad school - they pay you.
They pay your tuition and fees and you work (very part time) helping with grading papers of helping with research and they pay you a yearly stipend.
Something in the $20,000 -$29,000. range.
Back to reading...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to UVA for Aerospace and also considered GTech. Graduating from high school I was dead set on Aero and couldn't imagine doing anything else. I ultimately chose UVA because I loved the atmosphere and wanted a well rounded college experience. The UVA program is very theoretical and you won't spend a lot of time tinkering and building projects in labs. You might not get the design/build experiences in UVA's classroom environment, but you can dive in through the engineering student groups and participate in a wide range of design projects. Check out: http://www.seas.virginia.edu/students/ and see if there are engineering clubs that interest you. If you join an existing club that covers your interests I think you will get the best of both worlds: Theoretical Engineering in the Classroom and Hands On Applied Engineering through your club activities. There is also the opportunity to study outside the E-school and you will have required electives in the School of Arts and Sciences. With a few extra classes on top of the required electives, you could minor or even double major in another subject. I ended up also graduating with an Econ major in addition to my Engineering degree, which I think has helped make me very marketable. I am now working in Defense consulting and I think the theoretical engineering curriculum helped prepare me for a career where the problems are sometimes vague with undefined parameters. Unfortunately, after four years of engineering school, I probably still can't fix a broken microwave. I should have joined the microwave club I suppose. Hope this helps.

Thank you. This is OP. It does. The other comments about parents forcing their kids into Virginia schools is crazy talk. My friends would kill to be in my position. It is so difficult to get into UVA from Northern Virginia. I was stunned that it happened to me and I'm still not sure why. From conversations with my friends I can tell you that no parents are "forcing" their kids into Virginia schools to keep them from exploring the world. That kind of talk just doesn't make sense. Most of the parents and students at my school worked together as teams trying to find the right fit and applied all over the United States and some even in Scotland and England. Most parents were upfront with my friends if they couldn't afford a certain school but hoped for financial aid, especially packages from the schools. Several of my friends didn't get into GMU or other Va schools and were devastated. The cost of all of these schools is apparent even to us kids - we understand the value of in-state tuition vs. what an Ivy costs and we know what that means for our parents or for us with debt in the future. We're not the idiots or lemmings you call us. I understand completely the difference between Ga Tech at $55K a year and UVA at $27K a year. I also know what additional grad work for a Masters' or Ph.D. will cost me in loans or my parents. You parents make us students sound like lemmings whose parents force us unwillingly into Virginia schools. You couldn't be more wrong. I think I speak for all of us saying we understand the value and are grateful. One of my friends was told she would have to go to community college . . . after getting into some of the Virginia schools but not the financial aid package needed. Her parents just can't afford it and the financial offers from privates are not great enough to cover the total need they have.. We are all acutely aware of the high cost of college and none of us are being forced to attend Virginia schools (??? I only know one other who got into UVA) so they won't see the world. We know a great opportunity. It hurts me to see some of you attack schools that many of us would either kill to get into, or are thrilled to be attending, or must attend because community college is the only way to get back into UVA (taking the two years, getting the necessary GPA and coming in junior year). Try to be a high school student going through this process. This has been probably both the best and the worst year of my life. I can tell it has not been easy for my parents either. I'm trying to make the best pick for me but be sensitive to cost and also to my uncertainty that I may find myself in a year's time thinking Tech School wasn't the right place for me. Last fall when I applied EA and got in everywhere I applied, I was sure I wanted aerospace engineering. I was also sure my dream school was Cornell (good for aerospace) but got deferred. Now I realize that wouldn't have been right for me either, especially at $75K a year with travel included from Virginia. I've seen my friends change plans again and again. I've seen them cry when they didn't get in - unfortunately, a lot of schools release during the school day so we're at school when we find it. Well, thanks for the info. I appreciate those comments from those who really tried to help.

Oh, no, Hon, no one pays for engineering grad school - they pay you.
They pay your tuition and fees and you work (very part time) helping with grading papers of helping with research and they pay you a yearly stipend.
Something in the $20,000 -$29,000. range.
Back to reading...

Also, it's preferred in engineering is to go to one school for undergrad and take the courses/have the profs at the one school and then go to another school for grad school to learn from the next set of profs/classes. So, one school for undergrad and a different one for grad school.