<p>Thanks for the link to that video. That was an excellent segment. I’ve sent it to some family members so that they can understand too. Just a few more days until news one way or the other arrives.</p>
<p>colorado_mom: Are the stats of which schools (esp the most selective) were turned down in favor of Olin online anywhere? They would help kids who are defending their decision to attend to stunned friends and school personnel who are often really excited about the other extraordinary acceptances and pressuring the kids to attend big name U. It would also help them feel good about their decision to know x number of kids also turned down y university and have no regrets.</p>
<p>To the best of my knowledge, these stats are not available to the general public. I assume the admissions folks have that info. I do know many, many students happily forgo their acceptances to MIT, Caltech, CMU, Princeston, GATech, full rides to NEU, etc. By the time you make your decision, you should be able to articulate your reasons why. The PGP section of the Olin web site has the details of where each student goes post-graduation. The admissions section has stats on each entering class. There are lists of fellowships, grants awarded to graduates and the SCOPE projects done by seniors. There are dozens of articles and videos on the web site and elsewhere. Put together an email for the nay-sayers with some of these links. If that doesn’t work, then they will have to wait to see your smile next Thanksgiving. It will be from ear to ear.</p>
<p>The latest article about our favorite school <a href=“http://bostinno.com/2013/03/22/how-greater-bostons-most-overlooked-college-has-revolutionized-education/#ss__311894_234164_0__ss[/url]”>http://bostinno.com/2013/03/22/how-greater-bostons-most-overlooked-college-has-revolutionized-education/#ss__311894_234164_0__ss</a></p>
<p>As we wait for the decision envelopes to arrive, my D is already under enormous pressure to attend a big acronym school that is famous for engineering. She’s been accepted to both the big one in Boston and it’s rival in Pasadena. EVERYONE seems to think the name alone is worth the extra $$ to attend for undergrad but isn’t willing to pay for the difference. Even if they WERE willing, is it really the best choice? Everything that we have read, heard, and discovered at Olin is still more appealing to me as it was to D before other voices felt the need to express their opinions.</p>
<p>D has been told that the name on a diploma from an acronym school will be gold and ensure she always has a great job. I say that a degree from Olin will give her the SKILLS to be gold wherever she goes and will ensure she has a fulfilling career! That is more important that just a job. </p>
<p>D has been told the acronym schools are the best because everyone wants to go there. I say Olin is highly selective, but that it’s selective both ways. YOu only apply if you really want to be part of a team, not just one of those fighting for a spot at the tippy top who will have to keep fighting, instead of working as a team, until graduation.</p>
<p>Plus, since Olin is undergrad only, grad school is always an option at an acronym school. The best of both worlds.</p>
<p>So, here’s to admissions decisions and to choices. Hope to see the rest of you at move in this fall!!</p>
<p>Those in the know (industry leaders) know of Olin, your daughter will have nothing to worry about if she survives Olin and makes the most of it 
A degree will only go so far, as we all know; the rest of the journey is her own.</p>
<p>But if you’d like to compare the numbers:
Average starting salary of MIT Undergrad Class of 2012: $66,874/annum
<a href=“http://gecd.mit.edu/sites/default/files/graduation12.pdf[/url]”>http://gecd.mit.edu/sites/default/files/graduation12.pdf</a></p>
<p>Average starting salary of Olin Undergrad Class of 2012: $82,930/annum
<a href=“http://www.olin.edu/pgp/docs/Class_of_2012_Profile.pdf[/url]”>http://www.olin.edu/pgp/docs/Class_of_2012_Profile.pdf</a></p>
<p>Take that! ;)</p>
<p>Olin is a niche fit. It’s a tiny, limited school with ONLY engineering… perfect for the right student. In my opinion Olin scholarship / finances should only be a minor factor. Don’t get me wrong - the scholarship is a terrific bonus. But most kids who get accepted to Olin have generous merit scholarships at state schools or privates (except the tippy top schools). And for those qualifying for FA, costs may be same at all schools filling full need. </p>
<p>Good luck to all!</p>
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<p>The spread in the average is misleading because MIT has a lot of lower paying degrees that Olin doesn’t offer. However, if you look at MIT’s average by course, they do not have one course who’s average exceeds Olin’s overall average.</p>