Undergraduate Engineering Opinions

[Quantumsatire]

I am a high school senior at the point in his life where I have heard back from all the colleges I applied to and have to make a decision on where to go. I plan on becoming a mechanical engineer/physicist, and have thoughts of graduate school. I am confident in three of my choices, but still the offers conflict. I can give a quick rundown:

University of Maryland Clark School of engineering- In State school that is the cheapest option plus good scholarship offer, great program. I've visited and the campus is very nice, but I have known College park to not be the most pleasant. I also do not like the fact of living close to home.

Georgia Tech- Really no Financial Aid, but I love Atlanta and the program and facilities there are nice.

Purdue- Better Financial aid than GT, but still really expensive, also got into honors college here too, not in an ideal location, but I could still enjoy it.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute- Got great aid, but still unaffordable, great facilities, a lot smaller scene which I like, but Troy does not impress me the most.

I know these are all great schools and they all suit my learning style in some way. They all have the activities I'd be willing to participate in. Some of the locations are offsetting. Obviously cost is the biggest factor, and with future intentions I want to come out with as little debt as possible. Which Would be the best choice in your opinion? In terms of job placement/grad school, networking possibilities...
Thanks for any consideration!

 

[carlgrace]

If it were me I'd go to the University of Maryland. It's a great school and you can get into any graduate program from there. No one is going to care where you did your undergrad once you get a graduate degree, so I wouldn't go into debt if I were you.

You'll also have more access to local internships in the DC area if you go to Maryland. My 2 cents.

 

[fss]

If cost is the biggest factor then it's no contest - UMD all the way.

Do anything you can to avoid being saddled with tens of thousands of dollars of student loan debt.