Anonymous
Post 12/17/2013 07:03     Subject: Similar Schools to Virginia Tech?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My LHS son is now a Virginia Tech Aerospace Engineering school graduate working at Boeing in Everett, Washington. His agonized over choosing VT or Georgia Tech and in the end opted for Virginia Tech. This makes me think Georgia Tech is very similar to Virginia Tech in the characteristics stated in the first post.


I just want to make a comparison.... not knocking the PP at all. A friend of mine went to HS with me at what would be considered an average US HS at the time (no AP classes). Clearly a smart and motivated kid. Went to Iowa St. for Aerospace eng. Got his Bachelor's degree. After working at the Jet propulsion lab in San Fran, got a master's in Mech. Eng. at ISU, ended up at Boeing. After 6 yrs or so, left to be an investigator at NTSB. I just offer this as an example that you don't have to go to Langley or to Va. Tech. or find "the best" substitute for Va. Tech or UVA to end up following the same path as those who went to Langley/McLean/Tech, etc. I myself, went to ISU for undergrad, ended up at UVA for law and found myself among a lot of Duke, Princeton, Notre Dame, Harvard, and UVA graduates. We all ended up in the same place (except that I paid a lot less than they did to get there). I'm not saying that ISU is all that. It's like a hundred other schools that offer a degree that can take you wherever you want to go -- but you have to provide the determination and inspiration.



OP here. Iowa Sate was on my list (not his) as I was born in Ames. I am glad you had a great experience there. I also like that it has rolling admissions so he would find out early.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2013 01:34     Subject: Similar Schools to Virginia Tech?
My DD applied to Penn State and got accepted (regular decision) into the engineering program. She has/will apply to Tech and whole bunch other schools. Between Penn State and Tech, which one do you think a girl should choose? (not considering the tuition).
Anonymous
Post 11/26/2013 21:52     Subject: Similar Schools to Virginia Tech?
Hi, PP -- I'm the one who posted about the VT/Boeing son -- and I completely agree with you about the path of success. I found so many of my children's Langley classmates thought to be successful MUST mean an ivy league school and Virginia schools would somehow lead down a less successful path. All three attended Virginia state universities and as you said, with 'determination and inspiration' have been successful in their chosen field. That is something I am very thankful for this Thanksgiving season!
Anonymous
Post 11/26/2013 20:35     Subject: Similar Schools to Virginia Tech?
Anonymous wrote:My LHS son is now a Virginia Tech Aerospace Engineering school graduate working at Boeing in Everett, Washington. His agonized over choosing VT or Georgia Tech and in the end opted for Virginia Tech. This makes me think Georgia Tech is very similar to Virginia Tech in the characteristics stated in the first post.


I just want to make a comparison.... not knocking the PP at all. A friend of mine went to HS with me at what would be considered an average US HS at the time (no AP classes). Clearly a smart and motivated kid. Went to Iowa St. for Aerospace eng. Got his Bachelor's degree. After working at the Jet propulsion lab in San Fran, got a master's in Mech. Eng. at ISU, ended up at Boeing. After 6 yrs or so, left to be an investigator at NTSB. I just offer this as an example that you don't have to go to Langley or to Va. Tech. or find "the best" substitute for Va. Tech or UVA to end up following the same path as those who went to Langley/McLean/Tech, etc. I myself, went to ISU for undergrad, ended up at UVA for law and found myself among a lot of Duke, Princeton, Notre Dame, Harvard, and UVA graduates. We all ended up in the same place (except that I paid a lot less than they did to get there). I'm not saying that ISU is all that. It's like a hundred other schools that offer a degree that can take you wherever you want to go -- but you have to provide the determination and inspiration.

Anonymous
Post 11/26/2013 18:43     Subject: Similar Schools to Virginia Tech?
My LHS son is now a Virginia Tech Aerospace Engineering school graduate working at Boeing in Everett, Washington. His agonized over choosing VT or Georgia Tech and in the end opted for Virginia Tech. This makes me think Georgia Tech is very similar to Virginia Tech in the characteristics stated in the first post.
Anonymous
Post 11/26/2013 11:32     Subject: Similar Schools to Virginia Tech?
From the latest WashPo article:

"The acceptance rate for in-state students is about 40 percent, compared to about 20 percent for out-of-state students, McCance said.

According to data maintained by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the acceptance rate in 2012-2013 for Fairfax (which had 2,248 applicants) was 41 percent, for Loudoun (which had 678 applicants) was 36 percent, for Prince William County (which had 433 applicants) was 35 percent, and for Arlington (which had 298 applicants) was 41 percent. "

Doesn't sound like this "Rejected by UVA, accepted by Ivy" has a lot of data backing it other than a lot of parents whining.
Anonymous
Post 11/26/2013 11:29     Subject: Similar Schools to Virginia Tech?
Anonymous wrote:^true


Could you back this up with something other than anecdotes? Most ivy league schools have sun 10% acceptance rates; it's hard to believe that among them would be a significant number of UVA castoffs.
Anonymous
Post 11/26/2013 09:53     Subject: Re:Similar Schools to Virginia Tech?
He may want to consider UMass-Amherst unless it's too far north. UMass has strong engineering programs, "engineering" dorms, and is located in college town ("five colleges").
Anonymous
Post 11/26/2013 09:09     Subject: Similar Schools to Virginia Tech?
How about Iowa State? College town. Strong Engineering and Science programs. Many choices for Engineering degrees. Surely not as expensive out of state as some of the suggestions.