I just want some opinions!

<p>Hello all, I have been accepted to Case, Pitt, Drexel, and Purdue for Chemical Engineering (Purdue is out of the picture, financially at this point).</p>

<p>Net Costs (including Room and Board)
Case- 52,500 - 25000 (scholarship) = 27,250 == 109000
Pitt- 26,500 - 2000 (scholarships) = 24,500 == 98000
Drexel- 47250 - 21,750 (scholarships) = 25500 (over 5 years, not four) - 55000 (co-op) == 72750</p>

<p>Note- At Drexel, I would be participating in 18 months of Co-op and earn approximately 55000 dollars.</p>

<p>Now, my question is this. These private universities gave me very generous offers, obviously because they are more expensive but they were some of the highest scholarship amounts they give out, nonetheless. Pitt, on the other hand, does not give out much merit; 2000 is more than most incoming students get, but I still snuff at it when comparing it to the generous offers from Case and Drexel. I feel like Case and Drexel truly want me at thier college, and Pitt could care a bit less.
My question: should the quality of education at these private universities make them more appealing to a prospective student like myself? Or is all this money a bit of a gimmick, like two very similar t-shirts at the mall, (for example) the expensive one marked down at 20 dollars or the one that is regular priced 18? Because more often than not, people buy the one that is heavily marked down, thinking it is better? Hahahah, that analogy may not have been necessary.</p>

<p>Thank you for your input.</p>

<p>@Taylor52594 Is the $55K for Co-op at Drexel guaranteed or is it an estimate? Ask yourself the question, would you earn that much in 18 months if you graduated from Purdue, Case or Pitt in 4 Years. Now, you can compare Apples to Apples at least as it relates to money.</p>

<p>Private schools try to match “in-State” fees in order to attract students that would otherwise choose a State school. So Pitt’s $2K should not be taken as pittance. I’d say the cost of education at all these schools seem to be about the same but the quality might vary and you may want to research it a bit more.</p>

<p>Also, don’t write off Purdue, call them and talk to them and see if they will match Case’s offer. You never know. Good Luck!!</p>

<p>Now for rankings in (Chemical) Engineering
US Ranking:
[Best</a> Undergraduate Engineering Programs | Rankings | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate/spp+50]Best”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate/spp+50)</p>

<h1>9 Purdue (To see the rest you need to subscribe)</h1>

<p>CC thread (<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/481735-new-2009-us-news-engineering-rank.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/481735-new-2009-us-news-engineering-rank.html&lt;/a&gt;) says</p>

<h1>15 Purdue</h1>

<h1>48 Pitt</h1>

<h1>48 Case</h1>

<h1>53 Drexel</h1>

<p>[NRC</a> Rankings Overview: Chemical Engineering - Faculty - The Chronicle of Higher Education](<a href=“NRC Rankings Overview: Chemical Engineering”>NRC Rankings Overview: Chemical Engineering)</p>

<h1>12 Purdue</h1>

<h1>43 Pitt</h1>

<h1>46 Case</h1>

<h1>56 Drexel</h1>

<p>World ranking:
[QS</a> World University Rankings - Topuniversities](<a href=“http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2011/subject-rankings/engineering/chemical-engineering]QS”>http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2011/subject-rankings/engineering/chemical-engineering)</p>

<h1>30 Purdue</h1>

<p>51-100 Case
151-200 Pitt
Drexel doesn’t make it in the top 200</p>

<p>Hey, thank you on that one. I guess I will give them a call or write a letter or something. I can only truly see myself at Case or Pitt really at this point. The Co-op thing just doesn’t really appeal to me the same way thinking of my opportunities post graduation, especially considering my interest in a graduate school.</p>

<p>Pitt and Case I guess are pretty evenly matched, but Case does appear to have a bit of an edge; not statistically, does a Private University offer me something that makes it worth a few more thounsand and a longer drive? In your or anyone on here’s opinion, that is.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Since they seem even on rankings, have you visited? Case: Cleveland and small university; Pitt: Pittsburgh and large university.</p>

<p>Some people love large universities, others love the small intimate ones. Do you enjoy football? Some people couldn’t imagine attending a university without huge football games. There are admitted student days at Pitt too, right? And if you’re in the Pitt Honors Program, you might get more of the intimate environment through that.</p>

<p>Good luck with your choice!</p>

<p>I’m a freshman at Case and I can tell you that the chemical engineering program here is incredible (a lot of my friends are in it!). I applied (for a different program) to all of those schools last year and was accepted, and chose to attend Case with almost no grant money because it is a much better, smaller, student-focused school all around. Whether your class has 100 or 20 (most classes are between 15-30), you always have a relationship with you professor if you want it. There are an innumerable amount of research opportunities at Case, since it is a small research university. I would definitely suggest going to an Admitted Students Overnight at Case-- there are 5 coming up in March/April-- I am a Student Ambassador who hosts “prospies” for overnights! They are a great way to meet people and get a real feel for the school, after all, thats how I decided on Case last year and submitted my deposit the next day!!</p>

<p>I am trying to navigate the Case Western website to see how to schedule my son for an overnight visit in the dorms. Can you help me get to where I need to do this on the website? I appreciate your help. Thanks.</p>

<p>@NewJerseyMom02 Here are some links that you might be interested in.</p>

<p>Admitted Students Overnight
[New</a> Student Portal :: Case Western Reserve University](<a href=“http://www.case.edu/newstudents/index.html]New”>http://www.case.edu/newstudents/index.html)
Take a look on the right hand side under IMPORTANT DATES and you can register for different dates.
Mar 22-23 - Admitted Student Overnight
Mar 31 - Admitted Student Saturday
April 5-6 - Admitted Student Overnight
April 12-13 - Admitted Student Overnight
April 12-14 - Diversity Weekend
April 16 - Admitted Student Day Visit
April 20 - Admitted Student Day Visit
April 22-23 - Admitted Student Overnight</p>

<p>The general CWRU Visit pages
[Visitor</a> Central: Schedule Your Visit to Case Western Reserve University](<a href=“http://www.case.edu/visit/scheduleyourvisit.html]Visitor”>http://www.case.edu/visit/scheduleyourvisit.html)
There are some broken links on that page but it looks like your best bet is:
Contact <a href=“mailto:visit@case.edu”>visit@case.edu</a> or 216-368-4450 for more information.</p>

<p>A Visit report is at [Case</a> Western Reserve University Visit - Godfather1](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/vibe/case-western-reserve-university/1960114.html?nsbc=1]Case”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/vibe/case-western-reserve-university/1960114.html?nsbc=1)</p>

<p>Thanks. It’s the info I was looking for. :)</p>

<p>jkrtist… thank you for the information! I just need to get my thoughts all in one place. I know I’ll get a good education at Pitt or Case, but I am going to visit and check it out. I will definitely keep in mind what you have said about the Chem E program. I have heard nothing but solid things about the school from people. I’ll be doing an overnight hopefully on the 22/23rd and will go from there.</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

<p>No problem! Definitely definitely do the overnight- the student ambassadors really try to give a great perspective on Case!</p>

<p>many engineers at Case do co-ops. Minimum length is 1 semester.</p>

<p>The website suggests that the event starts on Thurday the 22nd at 8:30 in the morning and ends the next day at 4:00. I was under the impression that I would get to Case Western Thursday evening and then wake up Friday for the festivities. Any information for me?</p>

<p>The stuff that starts Thursday the 22nd is more information gatherings- seminars, tours, etc. It goes into Friday too, but you’ll miss a lot of stuff if you only show up for the overnight! You have to get there around 3:00 anyway for the overnight… you’ll drop your bags off at the Mandel Center where you check in (I don’t think they’ve changed the location!) and then you’ll go to Adelbert Gym to see CWRU Live (a display of clubs and performing groups), where your student ambassador host will pick you up between 4:00 and 4:30, and you’ll go back and get your stuff at Thwing and have your overnight. I would highly recommend going to theday activities on Thursday if you haven’t been to see Case yet!</p>