<p>We need help deciding. On the surface, GT seems like a better school - higher ranked in most areas (2nd to only Hopkins, for BME, son's intended major), ranked higher overall, great intern/coop programs, has foreign language, which RPI does not, great semester abroad program, and you only pay in state tuition while doing semester abroad, and has better weather, for example. They also allow him to transfer in all of his AP and existing college credits (close to 50), whereas RPI only lets freshmen bring in 32 credits. However, RPI seems like it may be a better fit, and they are offering significant scholarship money. RPI is close to skiing, which he likes, has a smaller student body, has more kids like him, a lower student to faculty ratio, will be $20K less expensive over 4 years, is less "sports focused," and sends a high number of students on to get PhDs. From what I've read, it seems like the students have great employment prospects, and they offer a 5 year co-terminal Master's program that they get to keep their scholarship for. He is starting as a BME major, but may wind up changing to another kind of engineering, math or physics, and may decide to go on to medical school (or to get a Phd.).
I'd appreciate any insight offered to help make this decision.
Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Where does he want to go? Has he visited?</p>
<p>How much does he end up with in the way of loans after four years? And does it matter? (Only perhaps if he is really thinking of med. school?)</p>
<p>I don’t know GT, but like RPI very much when we visited for my oldest son. I have a friend whose daughter went in with AP credit and graduated early. She’s now in grad school at Cornell in biology. She didn’t love it, but they loved her - even upping her merit scholarship. She had plenty of opportunities to do research. Her brother is there now doing some sort of engineering and seems happy. I believe you can take languages at some of the other colleges in town, but I know not everything is available and it may end up seeming too troublesome. RPI is very highly regarded in the northeast and got listed in Newsweek’s silly list of “New Ivy’s” a few years back.</p>
<p>The schools are so different it’s hard to believe your son won’t have a real preference. Good luck with the decision he’s got two great choices.</p>
<p>I cannot compare schools. Son’s friend went to GT. by his second year, he got job as RA, which brought down cost. He also graduated early and could have stayed for a MS, but wanted a job. </p>
<p>Here is where a visit would really help, as one in Atlanta and the other more remote location.</p>
<p>Both are great schools. I agree that a visit is in order. Where are you from? Will he really be able to find time to ski on weekends or can he plan to do that over winter break? I recall only going skiing twice during my college years (in the NE), and once was during a break. I grew up in the NE and went to school there, but am now in Atlanta and know kids who have attended both schools, so can give some perspective.</p>
<p>I assume you know about the combined BME program with Emory and Ga Tech [BME</a> | Biomedical Engineering at GA Tech and Emory University](<a href=“http://www.bme.gatech.edu/]BME”>http://www.bme.gatech.edu/) It has a great reputation. While there are great co-op, internship and job placement resources at Tech, not everyone finishes in 4 years (especially with the coop). Will this be a concern for you financially? Does he care about rural/urban campuses?</p>
<p>Troy is not really a “remote location”. Its basically across the river from Albany. But it’s a 3 hour drive, or 4 hour Amtrack ride to NYC. That said, I think Atlanta is a much nicer city than either Troy or Albany. Neither campus is rural.</p>
<p>Too expansive for UG IMO, unless you have unlimited resources. But if you did, then you would not be thinking about price tag difference, correct? Are there other options?</p>
<p>Would the difference in AP credits equate to graduating one term earlier? You really need to look at the degree requirements for the intended major to analyze this. But if it does reduce the time at GT by a term, then the cost difference between the two schools evaporates.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. We have visited both and he actually really likes both. He doesn’t have a preference for one place over the other, but does realize that Atlanta has more to offer than Troy NY. Anyone have any comments as far as opportunities post graduation?</p>
<p>If it all comes out the same in the things that matter, go with the price, is my advice.</p>