My big big dilemma... how do I choose??

Colleges & Universities University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
1

Hi guys,

I’ve recently been accepted to GA Tech and UIUC for Computer Engineering. I am pretty torn in choosing where to go. I’ve been doing a lot of research to figure that in terms of the quality of education/reputation for those schools- they are on par so I will take this out of the equation (am I correct or am I being too premature?).

Focusing on the other aspects, here are what I would like to find out and get your opinions on

  1. Learning environment: I’ve heard from a friend that GA tech learning environment can be really stressful and competitive; but UIUC is also a top-notch program so I’m guessing it can’t be too different??
  2. Community: What is the community like? I imagine UIUC to be a bit more laid back since it is a bigger school, which means more students, diversity, student activities etc?
  3. Hand on experience: Both schools boast on their excellent facilities, but as an undergraduate student, do we get a lot of opportunity/privilege to learn/enjoy those facilities or are they more kept for masters, Ph.D etc…
  4. Intern and Coop: I am an international student, which school will provide me with better chance in this area?
  5. Job Placement: Which school has better alumni network and is a bigger feeder to corporations in this industry?
  6. The city/town environment: The biggest different between these two schools for me are these two places: Atlanta and Champagne. I know I will enjoy Atlanta since I have been living in an urban city my whole life. But how exactly does Champagne fare in this aspect? Is it really dead like what many people say?

Please let me know your opinions on this, feel free to comment me if I am wrong in anyway

Thanks in advance guys

P.S. I will also be posting this in the GA Tech thread

2

I was also admitted to GT and UIUC for computer science. For me, UIUC seemed better for 2 reason: 1) GT’s 4-year graduation rate is quite low (40%) and especially to pay out-of-state tuition, that’s be really expensince. 2) Salary wise UIUC grads reportedly make about $92K starting off while GT was around $70k if I recall correctly

3

GT’s 4 year graduation rate seems low until you take into account how many students take advantage of co-ops.

4

Hi,

I’m still in high school, but I have lived in Champaign-Urbana for 17+ years, and I can attest to the fact that the CU Area is not dead. Campus is large and there is a lot to do, and Chicago is within two hours driving distance (as is Indianapolis) if you want to make a day trip. Traffic jams/rush hour is nonexistent (twenty minutes tops to drive from one edge of Champaign to the opposite of Urbana).

Anyway, CU is not dead by any means.