3 answers
Madi
Student
Newnan, Georgia
1
Question
Asked
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I am torn between two colleges. Both have very good engineering programs. However, one is in the middle of a big city with horrible traffic and a homeless problem, while the other is in a small calm town. The one in the large city is known as a better school than the small town one, but I love both equally. Which one should I choose to go to?
Auburn University is the small town college and Georgia Tech is the college in a big city. I have already gotten accepted to Auburn and am waiting to hear back from Tech. I am very conflicted on this topic and would love some advice.
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3 answers
Raj Khurana
31
Answers
Middletown, New Jersey
Updated
Raj’s Answer
In the past, I have personally visited both schools and both are good schools from ranking perspective.
If you do not plan to drive every day to school then traffic in Atlanta should not be of concern.
Also, what is the area you like to live in - small town or big city? I think this can be a factor in your decision.
If you do not plan to drive every day to school then traffic in Atlanta should not be of concern.
Also, what is the area you like to live in - small town or big city? I think this can be a factor in your decision.
Nirav Patel
Engineering Manager
1
Answer
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Nirav’s Answer
Hi. While Georgia Tech is definitely rated higher overall from an Engineering perspective, Auburn is also a very good school. If you already know which type of Engineering you are interested in, I would investigate the ranking of the particular engineering major you are interested in.
As a Georgia resident, Georgia Tech will be significantly cheaper for you as an in-state student. If you qualify for either the Zell Miller or Hope Scholarship (both merit based scholarships), you can get some of all of school paid for at Georgia Tech. That makes Tech a much more favorable option if you are comfortable with its location. Graduating with minimal debt out of college significantly sets up for success post college
Also, having lived in Atlanta for a while, the Georgia Tech campus is very nice but is in a busy part of town. Assuming you are going to live on campus, traffic shouldn't be an everyday issue. I would suggest visiting Georgia Tech and getting a tour of the campus if possible. You can see if it is somewhere you can see yourself at. It seems like the better option without knowing all of the specifics.
As a Georgia resident, Georgia Tech will be significantly cheaper for you as an in-state student. If you qualify for either the Zell Miller or Hope Scholarship (both merit based scholarships), you can get some of all of school paid for at Georgia Tech. That makes Tech a much more favorable option if you are comfortable with its location. Graduating with minimal debt out of college significantly sets up for success post college
Also, having lived in Atlanta for a while, the Georgia Tech campus is very nice but is in a busy part of town. Assuming you are going to live on campus, traffic shouldn't be an everyday issue. I would suggest visiting Georgia Tech and getting a tour of the campus if possible. You can see if it is somewhere you can see yourself at. It seems like the better option without knowing all of the specifics.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1093
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Madi,
Unless you have a very strong preference for small town over big city (or vice versa), I would recommend that you compare the different degree programs these schools offer.
Which engineering degree are you interested in? Which specialties does each school offer in that discipline? Are you interested in a program that only one of the schools offers? What research opportunities and links to industry does each school have?
Also, compare the relative cost of attendance. Auburn is in Alabama, so you'd pay out-of-state tuition vs in-state tuition at Tech? Unless they have a good package for you it's not worth the extra cost.
Auburn is a good engineering school (ranked 33 for undergrad). Tech is ranked higher (#3 for undergrad for whatever it's worth). Tech has better funding, therefore better facilities. Depending on your interests, that may or may not be important to you.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://eng.auburn.edu/programs/
https://coe.gatech.edu/undergraduates/future-undergraduates
Unless you have a very strong preference for small town over big city (or vice versa), I would recommend that you compare the different degree programs these schools offer.
Which engineering degree are you interested in? Which specialties does each school offer in that discipline? Are you interested in a program that only one of the schools offers? What research opportunities and links to industry does each school have?
Also, compare the relative cost of attendance. Auburn is in Alabama, so you'd pay out-of-state tuition vs in-state tuition at Tech? Unless they have a good package for you it's not worth the extra cost.
Auburn is a good engineering school (ranked 33 for undergrad). Tech is ranked higher (#3 for undergrad for whatever it's worth). Tech has better funding, therefore better facilities. Depending on your interests, that may or may not be important to you.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
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