worn dawn
Schools: University of Texas at Dallas vs University of Texas at Austin
Intended major: Computer Science
UTD
Pros:
- Better Dorms (Planning to dorm first year and commute the other 3)
- Full scholarship + $4k stipend per semester because of National Merit
- Closer to home
- Most of my close friends are going there
Cons:
- CS program is not as good as UT
- Social life there sucks
- Have heard horror stories about the students there
- Weak alumni network
UT Austin
Pros:
- Top 10 CS school
- Better social life/more skilled student body
- Better Campus
- Would lead to better job opportunities (unsure about how much it affects this one though)
- Stronger alumni network
Cons:
- More expensive (UT = ~20k/yr (will probably increase to $30k second year and beyond because I'll no longer apply for Texas Advance Commitment), UTD = -8k/yr)
- Dorms are kinda small
- Far away from home
- Don't know as many close friends going there as UTD
- I got into ATP (Accelerated Transfer Program) not actual Computer Science but I've heard it's like the exact same thing
Tiebreaking considerations:
I've applied to/will apply to like 30 external scholarships which might offset the attendance cost of UT. However, I won't get the scholarship decision for most of these before the deadline for admission acceptance. The total amount I'll have applied for is ~$100k but I'd be surprised if I got even 10% of that considering most of it is from more competitive scholarships (ex. equitable excellence, lockheed martin, google, etc.)
- Is it worth potentially taking out $80k-$110k in loans to go to UT over UTD?
- I'll probably try graduating a year early to whichever place I go since I have a lot of AP credits, so that might make it cheaper to go to UT.
manic seal
jaunty thorn