<p>I don’t know enough about UTD to comment. I have always encouraged my children to pick the school they like the most, where they want to live, the feel, the vibe, the students, all of that stuff. Have you visited UTD? Also get some idea as to what the quality of the classes are. As I said, I have no idea. Is it like one o fhe Penn State or Pitt Branches? Is it primarily a commuter school? You need to know all of these things. Also, what you plan on doing now, at age 18 might be a whole other story 4 years later. </p>
<p>Pitt and UI are so similar that I don’t think it matters which one a person picks. That you can get away from home is the advantage of Pitt, but the price is much better at UI. An advantage of UTD is that you can get away, be in a big city, enjoy your sport, get a good price for your college education, and then be in shape to return for a graduate or professional degree in state if you so prefer. But I don’t know much about the make up of UTD and how it stacks up academically. I’m truly clueless about most schools in the southwest.</p>