<p>Hi, all!
I’ve been accepted to both University of Alabama and GT (also applying to MIT and University of Minnesota at Twin Cities and Rice University), and plan to major in chemical and biological engineering at either one of them. I’m a PSP semifinalist for GT (and have HOPE to play with tuition), but also a national merit semifinalist, and have therefore been given a very generous offer (read: full ride) from UA. I’ve visited both campuses, although briefly, and I was more impressed with UA’s campus and mock-dorms, but didn’t really get a good look into any labs or classrooms at either schools. </p>
<p>My question is, would I be better off going to UA, with the almost guaranteed full ride and beautiful campus and new science and engineering buildings, or GT, with the higher rankings and probably overall stronger engineering program. Are there any current or former GT engineering students (ChBE preferred) who could lend their ear to me and tell how they like the program and the school as a whole.</p>
<p>Any help would be very appreciated, thank you very much!</p>
<p>I am currently CHBE. Georgia Tech is the obvious choice for engineering being ranked 4, better opportunities upon graduation,and just a better overall education. But, you probably already new this. I have not had an opportunity to take any major specific classes, being only a freshman, but I have really enjoyed the classes I have taken so far, even though they are very challenging. The chemical engineering building is really cool at Tech as it is in part of the Biotech Quad. Did you see it on your tour? I have heard not found it yet, but I have heard of an Einstein’s bagels and a Seattle’s best in that area. The freshman dorms suck, I personally don’t think mine is that bad, but compared to some schools they are not very good.But over 80% of freshman got there an apartment for there second year at Tech. And they really are a major step up. Especially if you get the PSP, you should definitely come to Tech. If you have any more questions I would be happy to answer them! Good luck with your decision</p>
<p>Quite frankly, you can’t compare GT and Alabama. It’s similar to asking whether or not it would be better to play football at USC or Montclair State if your ultimate goal is the NFL. Montclair State has a good football team, and there are certainly some players from Montclair State that do well, but in all reality if your goal is to pursue an NFL career, USC is the much better option.</p>
<p>Alabama is not considered to be a good program by anyone in the field. It’s not a highly sought after target program, and when it is selected for interviews, it’s a lower priority school. Unless you’re in a dire financial situation, the choice is obvious.</p>
<p>Well honestly, If you have a 4.0 for ChemE any where decent ON TOP OF some good ECs, then you will be successful. Keep your options open, if you do not get money anywhere, then go to UA. But you will probably get some bit at minnesota so have that as your back up.</p>
<p>My son is a current freshman @GT, also a Presidential Scholar. I’d agree with BanjoHitter: When I get resumees of applicants for an open position in my team, and I get one candidate from GT and one from Alabama, I know already which one I’ll invite first … is this fair? Definitely not, but the reality is that GT has a much stronger program and, in average, much better students that UA. </p>
<p>My recommendation to you: Try to become a PSP finalist and then enjoy the PSP weekend in Atlanta - my son was “sold” after that weekend! You’ll get to know the other PSP finalists and will realize that you’ll be in an awesome, inspiring, vibrant place with lots of other bright young students who will challenge you to your limits! The PS organization does an awesome job in offering interesting activities for these smart young people!</p>
<p>One remark @ ilyssa: My son lives also in a ‘freshman’-dorm and LOVES the experience. Sure, it’s not luxury, but he says he wouldn’t want it any different - lots of interaction with his colleagues and very entertaining!</p>
<p>I know that most freshman think they’d prefer a private bathroom, private bedroom, larger bedroom, etc, but the layout of the freshman dorms promote interaction with other students. If you lived in a private 1000 sqft dorm with a kitchen and private bathroom, many students would become hermits. If you had just a roommate with the same setup, many students would interact with just one other student the entire year. No kitchen requires you to go to the dining hall, smaller rooms promote doing things outside of that room, and the public bathrooms force you to interact with others to some degree.</p>
<p>At other schools with “nicer dorms”, students apply to the dorm. That results in the formation of cliques (the athletes move into one dorm, the “outgoing” people move into one dorm, etc) and promotes isolation between dorms and within dorms. In fact, you can see this at Tech’s upperclassmen dorms (but by then it’s OK since you’ve presumably made friends freshman year).</p>