<p>Could someone please help me choose between Case Western Reserve University, Drexel and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?</p>
<p>How does their engineering programs compare?</p>
<p>How does their financial aid compare?</p>
<p>Thank You</p>
<p>RPI and Drexel aren't even in the same ballpark. RPI is a very good engineering school and the first of its type in the country, founded in 1824 (50-60 years before MIT). It's very unique in that it's probably the only school in the country with over a 70% acceptance rate and over a 1300 avg SAT; so is very self-selecting. It ranks #3 behind only Cornell and MIT in sending its graduates on to getting PhDs in engineering and chemistry; so is very well known and respected within those circles. I don't know very much about Case Western, but get the impression that it's much closer to RPI than Drexel. I get the impression that RPI and Case Western are known for giving out merit aid.</p>
<p>I can't comment on these three schools with respect to their relative generosity with financial aid, but as a registered PE (Professional Engineer) myself, I can tell you about their reputations with respect to their engineering programs. RPI is definitely one of the most highly regarded undergraduate engineering schools in the country (although a step below MIT and CalTech). Case Western is also well-regarded, although it may perhaps be a little less well-known on a national scale. In my opinion, Drexel would be ranked much lower than these two. It is not very well known outside the East Coast.</p>
<p>Drexel has a GREAT engineering school and very well regarded here, although the college itself isn't regarded too well. Temple is gaining on it in engineering though. It certainly isnt a bad school, but it isn't anything compared to Case, MIT, RPI, etc.</p>
<p>Drexel is by and large a commuter school located right next to Penn. Its students hate the school; I say this because if you read their student newspaper, there are literally columns after columns written by students expressing contempt for their own school. Proceed with caution.</p>
<p>Drexel does have an extremely low "quality of life" rating. The only good thing about the campus is that it is next to Penn. The engineering program is highly regarded, but unless you get great merit money, it isn't worth it. The overall college experience is poor. RPI is excellent and so is Case. Troy is a little lacking in overall appeal and Case is actually in a nice area of Cleveland.</p>
<p>We are just back from Drexel's engineering open house and found the campus very unappealing. We were also less than impressed with the dean of the college. Among other things, he stated that the Boeing 777 was the first aircraft to go directly from computer (design) to production without any real testing. That is absolutely untrue. (DH is a prof of aero engineering and nearly choked when he heard that statement.)</p>
<p>hehe I was right by you today. I was at Temple walking around. Yeah, the quality of life is pretty bad. It's usually richer kids from my school who arent smart enough to get into Penn State, etc. My history teacher soph. year taught the dean of admissions at Drexel, so I have an easy in there, but I'd much rather go to Temple for $14K+ less a year.</p>
<p>RPI for engineering, no doubt.</p>