Hello everyone, I have recently been accepted into both Fordham and RPI and I have to make a decision this week about where I am going but the task has been much more complicated than I thought. I would like to go to school for Biomedical Engineering and possibly a medical track.
A little background on my story- I have visited both Fordham and Rensselaer and I have no idea where to go. Financially, I received a scholarship from Fordham and would only have to pay about 12k. At RPI, I would have to pay about 27k. The thing that attracts me to Fordham is that although it really isn’t a tech school, they have a 3-2 dual degree program where I would graduate with a B.A in engineering physics and a B.S in BME from Columbia University. However, a downside I see in this is that I graduate with two bachelor’s degree whereas at RPI, there is a co-terminal program where I would be able to graduate with a B.S and M.S in BME in five years. Also, at RPI, they have an 8 year Physician Engineer program where its possible to graduate with an M.S in BME and also a M.D through Albany Medical College. At Fordham, I would have to go through the typical medical track process.
I was hoping someone would have more insight into my situation. When I went up to Troy, NY to visit RPI, I didn’t really like the campus there. The town around it seemed kind of old and rundown. When I went to Fordham, I immediately felt much better about the campus. Although it is situated in the Bronx, it just looked a lot better than the RPI campus. I just ultimately want to make the best decision both with regards to my academics and my family’s financial well-being.
Wow, congratulations on your acceptances! I happen to be facing a similar dilemma (sort of) as I am deciding between Fordham (at Lincoln center) and another school. And, my friend has decided to go to Rensselaer so I know a little about it.
First off, is money a HUGE factor for you? If it is a problem, then Fordham would be a better pick since you will be taking out lesser loans and won’t have to pay as much.
You should also think about the future further ahead, which college will help you with your engineering career, give you a better program (and maybe quicker), and which school will help you get a job.
Rensselaer is a small private school specifically known for engineering, so for engineering, I would definitely pick Rensselaer. Fordham is not really an engineering school.
The fact that you can get a Bachelor and master’s degree in five years at Rensselaer is great. That is something to consider.
Fordham does have a beautiful campus. If you felt much more comfortable there, then you will definitely be happier there and that is something to be considered as well. However, when thinking about academics, you have to pick which will help you for your career and which college can get you through in the shortest amount of years.
Hope this helps!
Thank you so much for the response! It’s always great to hear someone else’s perspective, especially regarding something as important as this. I guess the big question now is what I would like my major to be in college. Although I am very passionate about engineering, I am also still considering other possibilities as well which is making my choice that much more difficult. Everything you wrote about has definitely gotten me to think much more profoundly about my choice. I also wish you the best of luck in your college decision!
Best regards!