I'm currently interested in studying either civil/environmental engineering or geology and am not sure whether my approach to looking for a good school is justified. I live in the state of Texas and am in the top 1% of my class, so I have automatic acceptance to UT-Austin. For that reason is it justified to go to an OOS school or private school where I would pay OOS or private-school tuition rates?
I know I will get 0 financial aid due to a very high household income, but my parents are also willing to pay for me to go to any school I get accepted to. I've run the calculators and unless I get non need-based scholarships, the price will be exactly as it is displayed.
So I've come to the reasonable opinion that I shouldn't pay to go somewhere else unless the education is overwhelmingly better than UT-Austin and I'm not sure it is. Could you tell me if I'd be getting a better education by going to UC-Berkeley, UIUC, Purdue, etc. that would justify paying about triple of what I'd pay at UT-Austin? My ultimate goal is to not take my parents money even though they are willing to give it to me if there's no purpose.
Thanks!
↧