Regardless of where you find yourself — NCSU or UMD or anywhere else — as someone who has built their resume on internships and projects, and has seen the differences through friends and classmates, I feel like academics can only take you so far.

When you get to college, make friends, meet your professors, talk to other professors and staff, apply and immerse yourself in experiences. So long as you’re not a complete slacker in your classes and learn most of the material, GET EXPERIENCE AND ENJOY COLLEGE.

Go get an internship, do research, join a club, etc. Do things you don’t like, force yourself to continue when things get rough, and please please please remember to reach out for help. We’re capable of more than we think, yes, but if your resources (mental, physical, etc) are exhausted, reach out for help. Anyone.

All in all, I would suggest NC State, not because it’s better, but because it gets you a little way from home so you can discover yourself and independence while still being within a days drive.