Hey!
I’m an International student admitted to these colleges for Undergrad Engineering and I am seriously confused.
Statistically speaking UB has a majority of International students going in and they also offer a lot of aid I’ve heard, while Virginia Tech is best known for Engineering and it hold an even better ranking, and UMN is well, in between.
I’ve heard 2 completely different opinions: one that’s you should go for a cost-saver UG and then a high ranker for your grad and the other being your UG college makes a huge difference in your placements.
And one last doubt that I have is if I should take the Summer Academy or not.
If anyone could help me out a bit, it’d really help!
Thanks alot 
How different are the costs of these programs?
How hard is it for your family to cover the costs?
Do employers in your country prefer graduates from any of these institutions?
I feel like University at Buffalo has a lesser tuition but more residential cost, owning to it’s setting, while VT has more tuition but lesser residential cost. So they’re kinda on the same level. Even though I’ve heard UB provides excellent aid and scholarship opportunities.
For grad, there are quite alot of International students in both, but not many for UG.
You should have concrete numbers for cost of attendance. It doesn’t matter if you heard that a university has excellent aid and scholarships, what kind of aid did you get?
What is the cost breakdown? How are you paying? What is your citizenship?
In addition to cost, pay attention to admission to major requirements:
Buffalo: 2.5 or 2.8 GPA, depending on major.
VT: 3.0 GPA; lower GPA may be admitted to majors with space available
Minnesota: 3.2 GPA; lower GPA may be admitted to majors with space available (most majors have space available to admit students down to 2.0 GPA)
https://engineering.buffalo.edu/home/academics/undergrad/admissions/current.html
https://enge.vt.edu/content/dam/enge_vt_edu/undergraduate/com_requirements/COM_GE.pdf
http://www.advising.cse.umn.edu/cgi-bin/courses/noauth/apply-major-statistics
I will have to check on that. But in case I haven’t received one for my freshman year, what are the odds of getting one later?
Haven’t received my i20 yet, so I don’t yet know the exact breakdown in my case. And hello from India!! @Sybylla
Also Summer Academy??
You should have received your financial conditions with your acceptance.
Your I20 will be delivered once you have shown proof of your ability to pay (certification of finance) and paid your deposit at one college.
If there is a Summer Academy for international students, and you can afford to attend, you should do that. Those programs are designed to help students get adjusted before their regular classes start.
Thanks alot you guys!! Really helpful. I’ll definitely plan everything based on your worthy inputs.
Umm so here’s an update to my applications.
I have received a 44k USD scholarship for 4 years at University at Buffalo, but no scholarship as of now at Virginia Tech. as of Minnesots Twin cities, I’ve opted out of it. So now I’m in a serious dilemma whether I should go for a high ranker or the one with more scholarship.
Didn’t you have to reply yesterday?
Do the 11k in scholarships make a difference for your family?
In addition w what matters isn’t the amount in scholarships but your net cost* - does the scholarship make net costs at Buffalo lower?
*(Tuition, fees ,room, board)-(scholarship)=
Yeah @MYOS1634 I already paid my deposit for both UB SUNY and Virginia Tech.
And UB scholarship is definitely helping out on decreasing the loan amount.
But I’ve heard many people say that you should go for a high rank college, and I’m really confused.
While VT will help me at Engineering Expo, with the biggest and the best companies coming in, UB will help me save up for my Grad.
Check what employers come to Buffalo (or ask).
All in all, less debt is always better and Buffalo is well respected for Engineering.
You are only allowed to enroll/deposit at one school. If they find out, you risk being rescinded by both.
You need to choose, and let one of these places know that you won’t be coming. If you haven’t decided yet, my vote is for UB so that you don’t have as much debt. You are an international student, so there is no guarantee that you will be able to get a job here to pay any loans off. You need to be able to get a job in your own country after you graduate.