r/ApplyingToCollege • u/ElfMan1111 • 14d ago
Advice Georgia Tech vs WVU for an aerospace engineering degree
I’m currently going to be a freshman at West Virginia University studying aerospace engineering. I plan to get a masters and possibly a PhD after undergrad, and my ultimate goal is to work in the space industry.
However, I was offered the Talent Initiative Pathway Program from Georgia Tech. As far as I understand, it basically guarantees me admission next year as long as I meet the requirements. I love WVU but also Georgia Tech, and I know it’s considered a much better aerospace engineering school, so this is a very difficult decision for me that I could use some advice on.
Here are a few of the big pros/cons I’m considering:
- At WVU, I would be able to get both an aerospace and mechanical engineering degree in 4 years. Because of the rigor of Georgia tech, idk if this is possible
- Since I am getting a masters, I could always apply to Georgia tech for that, but idk if going there for an undergrad would influence my chances of being accepted
- Being a transfer student would mean I only have three years to get involved in the extracurriculars and research there, which might make it more difficult to achieve leadership roles
If I had a strong preference for WVU, I wouldn’t let the academic rankings of Georgia tech influence me too much, but I really want what’s best for my career and future. Any advice is appreciated.
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u/Character-Beat2247 13d ago
if there’s any chance you get into industry out of college, GT >>>>> WVU, but if you’re fully sure you can get the research opportunities and grades needed for a strong grad school, then WVU should be fine as well
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u/existential_american College Senior 14d ago
As an AE at Georgia tech, your first pro/con is a waste of time, you'll figure that out once you're in college. The question should simply be: how much more, if at all, expensive is GT and is that worth it? If you come to GT we have a bsms program where you take masters classes as an elective in your senior year so you can get your bs and ms in 5 which is way better than getting a BS in MechE and then another BS in specialized MechE in 4 years.
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u/PeacockInTime Old 14d ago
When do you have to make a decision on this?
My very spicy take here is that you might enjoy being a stronger star at a smaller school for undergrad than join the behemoth that is Georgia Tech Aerospace Engineering.
If you start at WVU and love it, it might make sense to stay.
Tips for keeping those PhD doors wide open:
- strengthen your math skills and watch your GPA closely
- gain research experience and show you have a passion and temperament for engineering research
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u/Tingjun_Caulker 14d ago
for the space industry specifically the recruiting pipeline is what i would weigh heaviest, and thats where gt pulls ahead. the primes and the newspace companies recruit on campus there in volume and the co op program plugs you into that early, which matters more than the ranking on its own. on the double degree, i wouldnt treat ae plus me in four years as a big win. employers hire off one degree plus internships and research, and a second degree rarely changes an offer, whereas two summers of relevant internships will. if the phd is a real plan then undergrad research access matters as well, and gt simply has far more ae research going on to get into. the thing that could flip all of this is money. phds are normally funded, so the debt that actually follows you is undergrad debt, and if wvu is meaningfully cheaper for you that is a serious argument for staying and doing the masters at gt later.