<p>I am an international student planning to study engineering (haven't figured out which one though). Because of fin aid/scholarships, attending either school would cost me around the same amount, but Iowa State will cost a few thousand dollars less. I was looking for some insight into both these schools and some advice and guidance on which one to attend.</p>
<p>I don't know a lot about Iowa State, but my general impression is that it's a large state school with strong academics and facilities. </p>
<p>I'm planning to enroll at WPI Fall 2008, and so I think I can offer some advice: </p>
<p>-WPI is a small school. Understand that you won't get the class selection at WPI for non-engineering fields that you'd get at Iowa State - but also understand that classes will probably be smaller and with more interaction from professors</p>
<p>-WPI is focused on projects. In fact, there are no requirements for graduating other than taking a certain number of classes, some humanities, and then completing a humanities project, a theory project, and an applied project. Students typically take off 1/3 of their class load in a given quarter to work on a project. I was impressed with the projects I saw when I went to WPI. </p>
<p>-WPI has a quarter system, but they offer both quarter and semester long classes. </p>
<p>-WPI is all about engineering and applied science. If you think that you might not want to focus on applied science or applied math than I'd consider choosing Iowa State</p>
<p>-WPI has somewhat higher median SATs and median GPAs than Iowa State. In light of that, your peers might be more academically prepared at WPI. </p>
<p>-At WPI, about 50% of the students were in the top 10th of their class. At Iowa State, only about 25% were in the top 10th. </p>
<p>-Nearly all of the students at WPI are engineering/biotechnology. The students in your dorm will mostly all be engineers. If you don't everyone you live with to be an engineer or scientist, Iowa State will offer more diversity. </p>
<p>-WPI has a 3:1 boy to girl ratio. Iowa State is close to 50:50. </p>
<p>-The humanities at WPI are limited. Since the school is small, they have to focus most of their resources on engineering. Although they seem to have a good music program, with some nerdy humanities classes (digital music design, writing about science) to fit the engineering theme.</p>