Georgia Tech vs. Maryland

qow100
Thu, 01 Feb 2018 03:27:21 +0000

So right now it is looking like these two are my top choices (Both OOS, roughly same price)

I know Georgia Tech is excellent for engineering and ranks as one of the best which is great considering I am an engineering major.

However, I am not a super techy guy. I am a fan of math and physics as well as engineering and could not picture myself in another major, but absolutely wouldn’t be able to stand it if that’s all I ever did and all anyone ever wanted to talk about. I still want that college experience with normal people who are willing to have a good time and do things outside of schoolwork. I also don’t want to be constantly miserable due to the poor ratio and constant studying and extreme stress (And short breaks, I heard tech goes to school longer than any college/univ in America).

For this reason I am also considering Maryland, which is top 25 for engineering and is overall a really strong school. I know it doesn’t quite compare to Tech for engineering, but I feel like I’d be able to enjoy my experience a little more and get to have a more fulfilling college experience, while still getting a good degree. One I can look back on and be happy with the experience instead of saying "Glad that’s over! " -An overwhelming number of tech grads.

     General Breakdown:

If I go to Tech I’m throwing away a fulfilling diverse college experience, but getting an education from a world renowned engineering school. It is a huge opportunity and I feel like I might regret not taking a chance here.

If I go to Maryland I’m throwing away my shot at going to one of the worlds best in trade for a potentially better experience with people more like me, yet a degree that doesn’t carry quite the same weight (but is still top of the line, no disrespect to the program itself, its just GT is literally 3rd in the country).

I’m honestly torn. I worked diligently for 4 years of my life to create opportunities and get into schools like Tech, and I can’t justify not going after all that work. When I first got in I was super happy, a little in shock, and set on going - but was disappointed to hear all the negative feedback from current and past students when I started looking further into the university itself. I just can’t justify making myself miserable for 4 years and missing out on a big part of my life. But I also can’t justify not taking up this insane opportunity.

BTW I’m thankful I even get the chance to go to college and I know how lucky I am to get into schools like Tech and Maryland. I know many kids would kill to get into those schools, especially for engineering, but I still have to make the decision and I just don’t know what to do, because academic excellence as well as my own happiness are two things that I ideally would want both of.

I am not asking anyone to make the decision for me but If anyone has some more information on some of the points I brought up, or maybe something I am misinterpreting, that would drastically help me in my decision. Thanks.