<p>I had hesitated getting involved in this discussion because, for the most part, my experience to some might be “ancient history”. </p>
<p>WPI has one of the original project based learning models. They were on the cutting edge of this type of education 30 years ago. I went to WPI in the early '80’s. When compared to what my peers did at other schools, WPI was SO much more hands on than any other school. Maybe not freshman year as much (back then), but by the time I got into Junior Year I noticed a big difference in what I was doing than what my friends were doing at other colleges. </p>
<p>Upon graduation I was put in an engineering “pool” and I must say that I floated right to the top of that pool because of a few things. First, WPI taught me how to learn - not just how to take tests or write a report. Second, the project based work prepares you with the necessary skills you need to think critically, work with others and communicate effectively - these are the BIG THREE that employers are looking for. When you get out into the “real world” there will be a problem to deal with, but the answer isn’t clear and you have to know how to look at an issue, figure out what else you need to learn about before you can solve the problem and plot out what you need to do. All by working with others at the same time. Most fresh grads in my pool had no clue how to do any of this. They knew their engineering formulas and could work problems, but as undergrads had not done any major project with others. </p>
<p>Having said all that, many schools now do have a bit of project work along with the studies these days. But it isn’t as extensive as WPI. WPI now has project based learning even for their freshman (pros and cons of these can be found in the “GPS and PLC” thread). </p>
<p>If you are someone who likes to develop your own path and choose your own way, WPI is a good fit for you. If you are into “traditional” engineering education and like things in a neat package where you are told exactly what the requirements are, you can still get that at WPI, but you might want to look someplace else because that really isn’t what WPI is all about. </p>
<p>My son will be heading to WPI in the fall. Not because that is where his parents went, but because he is a free spirit who did a very “hands on” high school pre-engineering program at a vo-tech school. The thought of going someplace where everyone in the engineering program takes the same exact classes for the first 2 years nauseated him. He would be bored silly if he couldn’t branch out and try something different or get involved in something more hands-on. He is signed up for PLC for the fall because it is the type of environment that he learns best in… </p>
<p>I guess what I’m trying to say is the investment is worth it if the WPI environment is a good match for you. You are the only one who can answer that. I do wish we had more current WPI students and grads monitoring CC, but unfortunately it is the same answers from the same people a lot of times. If you want to connect with some specific grads or students, give the admissions and alumni office a call. I know a lot of us are on the “on call” list for prospectives to talk to as alumni reps. I’m sure there are some younger folks doing the same thing these days. Or send a private message and I’ll see who I can come up with for you. I was just hanging out with a few of the more musically inclined WPI students (both undergrad and grad) last night at auditions for a local theatre company…</p>