Drexel vs WPI (Is Drexel worth it?)

<p>Hello, my name is Amy and I want to major in chemical engineering. I'm trying to decide between these two schools, I visited both and loved both campuses.</p>

<p>WPI:
~Would major in chemical engineering with a concentration in materials OR major in mechanical engineering if I wanted to change.
~Tuition and fees ~$58k
~Got a $10.5/year for 4 years merit scholarship and have $3400 this year for need base scholarships
~I have family in Worcester, mom knows the area well
~I would want to do the advanced bachelors/masters program to get both in 5 years or less</p>

<p>Drexel:
~Would major in chemical engineering OR materials science OR mechanical engineering
~Tuition and fees ~$68k
~Got many scholarships/awards adding up to $19k as of right now, did send an appeal
~None of this money is necessarily guaranteed, just money I can reapply for if I maintain a GPA, need, etc
~Don't know how many co ops I would do but I don't want to be in school forever getting a bachelors/masters
~I do like Philadelphia but I feel like the school isn't worth the 68k/year</p>

<p>If you guys have any data as to how many graduates get jobs within 6 months or so from these colleges that would be great too.</p>

<p>Thanks guys :)</p>

<p>That’s so funny, I live in Worcester! I dislike it, but I’ve only heard good things about WPI, it’s really difficult to get into that school, but if you really enjoy the campus life and the feel of the campus, I would say WPI</p>

<p>@Lnx1996‌ Yeah I feel like I would be more successful at WPI as well, I don’t have to end up living in Worcester but 4 years will get me where I need to go, you know?</p>

<p>@Seniornerd
Both are excellent schools, and very similar in that they both use the quarter program and both have extremely high placement rates after graduation (in employment/grad-school). While I’m going to advocate Drexel, I don’t think you’d be at a loss at WPI either. In terms of data, I didn’t find any statistics from a quick Google search, but I’d imagine that both schools are in the 93%-96% area. </p>

<p>That being said, here’s why I’d advise Drexel:

  1. Drexel has two programs, 4year/1Co-op and 5year/3Co-op. Both of these options are excellent. With the four year program, you graduate at the same time as all your peers at other universities but you’ve got a solid six months of real-world work experience under your belt. In the five year program, you graduate only a year after other university students, but you have 1.5 years of work experience under your belt. </p>

<p>2) In addition to helping you get your foot in the door with companies (I.e. many Co-Op employers hire back their students after graduation), Drexel’s Co-Op program also gives you the opportunity to really see the industrial application of your curriculum, which ultimately will help you choose your concentration within your major.</p>

<p>3) Drexel’s Co-Op program pays very high, especially in Materials and Chemical Engineering. Average salary for a six-month Drexel Co-Op is $16,500. Over the course of three co-ops, this majorly reduces the cost of school. </p>

<p>4) Drexel has a 5 year BS/MS program in every major in Engineering. This track is essentially the quickest way to a master’s degree among pretty much all engineering schools. </p>

<p>5) Drexel has the largest college of engineering out of any private university in the United States. It is also one of the largest private institutions for research. </p>

<p>6) Drexel does cost a lot. Some people see this as a negative. I see this as a plus. Why? Because people like me and you receive scholarships; there are many people at Drexel who don’t. Those people are supplying an enormous amount of money for the school, which the school will spend on providing resources to students that ultimately end up being used more by academically-motivated students like you and I. In essence, as an academically-motivated student, especially as an engineer, you’re provided the resources of a $65,000/year university, without paying that cost yourself.</p>

<p>7) The cost of Drexel depreciates as you continue. That $65,000 includes things like room/board, which are very expensive your first year as you required to live in Drexel housing and pay for a Drexel mealplan. After you first year though, you are no longer required to do either of these things. If you choose to live off-campus, as most students do, you would pay half of what you’d pay for room/board your first year.</p>

<p>8) Drexel is a large university that has a lot to offer outside of Engineering. I like this because I get to meet and be in a community of all different types of students and people and have a lot of opportunities outside of STEM. </p>

<p>9) Drexel is 55/45 Guy:Girl, WPI is something closer to 75:25. I don’t know if this at all matters to you though.</p>

<p>As I noted, WPI is still a fantastic school and ultimately, I think you’re in a great situation with both of these options. If you have any other questions about Drexel, let me know! I’m an undergrad in Materials Engineering. </p>