I need help choosing a college so I'm asking the Internets!

[MasterMongoose0]

So, long story short, I got into the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech.

I want to major in Computer Science (an Engineering Course) in order to master programming to make video games- I'm not going to take a "Game Design" course because I feel like that's putting all my eggs in one basket, and would rather keep my options open.

I've visited both campuses (they're both amazing), and they're both equally attractive to me. For what it's worth, a good 30 or so kids out of my senior class of 440 are going to Tech, with less than 10 going to UVA; many of those 30 are close friends, one wants to be my roommate. I like how cars are still used at UVA- not so much at Tech- because I'm increasingly becoming a car nut and have been playing around with my Mustang.

Most people would just tell me "Go to Tech for Engineering" or "Go to UVA because it's better," but I don't feel either of those are really true. UVA is more diverse, which is nice, but the whole "We're Better Than Everyone" image that they sort of project turns me off a bit, but that seems like too much of an over-generalization.

The thing is, I want an Engineering Degree (Computer Science), but want to use it in a more "artsy," less traditional way with video games, which would put me between Tech and UVA. So, does anyone who cared enough to read my little tale have any advice?

TLDR: UVA or Tech for Computer Science for career in Video Games?

Also, my counselor(s) could not offer many any real tangible advice. Useful.

 

[Dags90]

I don't know...I'm having trouble trying to think of things that aren't horrible V Tech massacre jokes.

Which one is cheaper? I'm guessing cost is a concern seeing as both are in Virginia, presumably for in-state tuition. I would go to the UVa probably, I enjoy my smaller school.

 

[The .50 Caliber Cow]

This one is what I recommend.

[sub][sub]I actually don't know, sorry.[/sub][/sub]

 

[MasterMongoose0]

I don't know...I'm having trouble trying to think of things that aren't horrible V Tech massacre jokes.

Which one is cheaper? I'm guessing cost is a concern seeing as both are in Virginia, presumably for in-state tuition. I would go to the UVa probably, I enjoy my smaller school.

They're close enough in cost that for my family to pay the difference is negligible. I just don't know, man. I've literally come to the internet for help because for every plus that one has over the other I find something equally awesome on the other side...

 

[staika]

I was planning to got to the UVA but my dad talked me out of it because I have the demon relatives from hell that live near there and he told me that I don't want to be in control range of my aunt. Now out of those two I would pick the UVA because that was almost my choice that and at least UVA has a good sports team well only one, and its lacrosse which is boring to watch and VT is just average in all sports so its kinda even in sports. In all honesty I like the UVA better than VT but that's just my opinion and you should do whatever you feel like.

 

[bk08]

Well since I go to Tech I'm a little biased. Once(if) you move off campus you'll have plenty of opportunity to drive your Mustang around and connect with the other car nuts. Tech really is the one to go to for engineering, and I'm sure they could help you with being a little more creative with it. Blacksburg is smaller than Charlottesville and feels a little less preppy, though the student body is less diverse.

Plus our football team is better.

 

[MasterMongoose0]

I was planning to got to the UVA but my dad talked me out of it because I have the demon relatives from hell that live near there and he told me that I don't want to be in control range of my aunt. Now out of those two I would pick the UVA because that was almost my choice that and at least UVA has a good sports team well only one, and its lacrosse which is boring to watch and VT is just average in all sports so its kinda even in sports. In all honesty I like the UVA better than VT but that's just my opinion and you should do whatever you feel like.

Haha Tech's Football destroys UVA's

I'm not a huge sports fan (I go more for the atmosphere than the game), so it doesn't bother me.

 

[Dfmlege]

Hey, I'm going to Virginia Tech next year to major in Computer Science. However, I'm not planning on using my degree for video games, though it could be a possibility.

UVA and VT's CS programs don't focus on video game development very much, though the skills taught are very useful for pursuing a developer career. It really doesn't matter, though I'm leaning on VT here. As for cars, it's not a big deal. Blacksburg is a small town so you can walk pretty much anywhere you need to go, and there's a public transportation option. Christiansburg has the fancier stuff though (movie theaters, malls, etc.), and that's a twenty-minute drive, so you might want to ask an older friend with a car. Since many of your friends are going to VT, I'd say you should go there too, though I'm probably biased, so you should see what other people say. It's up to you.

Out of curiosity, did you apply to the VT honors program? I did, but they rejected me. Oh well.

 

[MasterMongoose0]

Hey, I'm going to Virginia Tech next year to major in Computer Science. However, I'm not planning on using my degree for video games, though it could be a possibility.

UVA and VT's CS programs don't focus on video game development very much, though the skills taught are very useful for pursuing a developer career. It really doesn't matter, though I'm leaning on VT here. As for cars, it's not a big deal. Blacksburg is a small town so you can walk pretty much anywhere you need to go, and there's a public transportation option. Christiansburg has the fancier stuff though (movie theaters, malls, etc.), and that's a twenty-minute drive, so you might want to ask an older friend with a car. Since many of your friends are going to VT, I'd say you should go there too, though I'm probably biased, so you should see what other people say. It's up to you.

Out of curiosity, did you apply to the VT honors program? I did, but they rejected me. Oh well.

I so haphazardly did my college applications that I don't think I even applied for the honors program. I'm terrible at doing formal paperwork-based things...

Thanks for your input, though! Much appreciated!

 

[Dfmlege]

This is VT's game design club. However, judging from the screenshots, their products seem...unimpressive to me, but hey, it looks like fun.

http://www.vtgamingproject.org.vt.edu/

Compare to what I think is UVA's game design club. Their games look alright, but I'm only judging from the screenshots, again.

http://gamedevatuva.blogspot.com/

 

[MasterMongoose0]

Thanks for the links, Dfmlege! I'm really grateful that you're taking some time to help me out

If I go to Tech, one of my graphics artist friends would surely collaborate with me on making a game, and he's damn talented. It would be pretty nice.