<p>Hi guys. I am an international student who has been accepted to University of Colorado at Boulder, Ohio State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Lehigh University for engineering for fall 2011. Also I'm waitlisted at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Iowa State University.</p>
<p>I am having a tough time deciding where to go, and I have to make a decision quickly. Music scene is a priority in my decision. I am really into rock and metal music, forming bands and stuff. Apart from music, I also wish to have extensive research opportunities at college, although I know they are limited for an undergraduate student. As for social life, I do party, but it's not a major decisive factor when.</p>
<p>I really like the small class sizes and the personal feel at WPI. But the lack of academic variety seems a little boring to me. Plus WPI has offered me the Presidential Scholarship.
Lehigh isn't offering any financial aid, so the high fees is gonna be a problem, though I think I can manage it.
CU Boulder and Ohio State are different from the above two as in they're public, much bigger and diverse. But I think that affects the class sizes, the teacher-student interaction, research opportunities and the entire feel of the universities, in general. </p>
<p>Being an international student I only have limited knowledge about these universities, so any inputs at all about any of these universities (including Rensselaer and Iowa) are greatly appreciated. </p>
<p>Thank You.</p>
<p>Please reply guys. I really need your help with this.</p>
<p>Wasn’t the acceptance deadline May 1?</p>
<p>Hopefully you posted this in other discussion groups. WPI is a small school, so there may not be as many people reading/replying here. Also, there is a lot of overlap between WPI and RPI in terms of who applies there, and to a lesser degree Lehigh, but I suspect most of us who read this site know little or nothing about the big state schools you mention.
As for music - are you only concerned with how many students like to play and form bands or are you evaluating the schools’ music departments. Also do you care about access to good concert sites, and music venues such as nightclubs? I don’t think Worcester has a lot of nightclubs but it must have more than RPI which is in Troy or Lehigh.
Academics are the most important thing and if you have already decided WPI’s offerings are boring, then I think you already have part of your answer! You need a bigger school with more diverse offerings.</p>
<p>In terms of start-up bands, the rock and metal scene at WPI is virtually nonexistent as far as I know. The music courses are also known to be a joke in terms of rigor. I can’t imagine a highly artistic student would be happy at WPI. </p>
<p>I would think the choice is down to University of Colorado Boulder or OSU. Both like you said will have large classes. I’m pretty sure the city of Boulder is pretty into the whole entertainment and arts scene. OSU should be much more ethnically diverse though. Boulder is a very nature friendly city so if you like to hike, run, ski, etc. I’d choose that hands down.</p>
<p>Thanks BeanTownGirl and dynamitekicker.</p>
<p>Hey, guys. I’ve finally decided to attend Ohio State. Thanks for helping me make this strenuous decision.</p>