I have to make a decision on Monday, so I thought that I should ask CC for some insight. I made a pro-con list of RPI vs. NC State (ik, laugh all you want) that I thought I’d share. Also, cost isn’t an issue since RPI gave me enough merit aid to equal in-state tuition.
RPI
Pros:
Accelerated law program-- the fact that I could graduate in 3 years and save money, white having a basically guaranteed acceptance into law school.
Renowned engineering program- in case I choose to change my major
If I don’t go the accelerated law track, I could get a master’s in 5 years.
I like the idea of Summer Arch
Albany-- it’s a super cute and small town
Out of state (new experience, out of my comfort zone)
I could run track here
Better job offers
NYC- I can go here some weekends and visit friends, while exploring the city
Cons:
Large travel cost (about $500 for plane tickets)
Weather (I’ve lived in the South my whole life)
Social scene (I know this may be very ignorant of me, but I just did an overnight and I’m unsure if I fit in with the kinda geeky vibe that doesn’t party too much) – also, not very much diversity in clubs, intermurral sports, and SRATs
I noticed that the campus is fairly hilly with a lot of steps and I have a circulatory disorder that makes walking up steps kinda hard
No AC
NC State
Pros:
Closer to home (cheap transportation cost)
Social scene (people with similar interests, lots of clubs, SRATs, etc.) ACC football
Solid engineering program (but not as good as RPI)
A lot of people I’ll know here
School spirit
Weather
Raleigh- a super cute city with a lot to do
Super genuine and friendly people, that like to have fun while still having a driven, nerdy type vibe
Cons:
I don’t really want to be stuck in a “North Carolina bubble” my whole life
Engineering program is not as renowned
Name recognition
Many people take 5 years for an engineering degree here
A car is basically required
Overall, I really want to step out of my comfort zone, which I feel like RPI would do. I know it’ll be a good fit academically, I’m just unsure if it’ll be a good fit socially and with the environment (weather mostly).
Tons of people from the south go up to the North to study. I’m sure its freezing, but you get used to it. I’m from South Florida, so I know what heat is. I haven’t even seen snow. Still, the fact that the weather is a change might bring you “out of your comfort zone” alone. RPI is sooo much better for engineering. I’m sure you can find a group of friends like you at RPI, not everyone is a nerd there, and the school has a decently sizable population.
@AimingTop50 thank you! Weather is by no means a deciding factor for my college choice, it was just something to consider. I’m more weary about RPI due to the social scene, but you’re right, I’ll find my group of people wherever I go.
@figgie13 No problem. Keep in mind that you probably don’t want everyone to be exactly like you, too.
I do feel you on the weather, though. It definitely could alter my decision. But, as you already have narrowed it down to two schools, I think RPI will definitely be better for you. Sure, you may compromise having awesome parties to be able to go to every night, but in the end you will receive a much more prestigious degree and surely will still have made great friends.
@figgie13
Just to add to some of your research I would add some of this for future students looking at the same question
youtube dot com/watch?v=lV14clUtRRQ
change the (dot) to a period.
Judging from your list of pro’s and con’s (pretty good list), I’d say that RPI comes out on top with stronger reasons for going and con’s that aren’t as consequential. Weather you can deal with, and the social scene is actually more diverse than you might think (the school skews nerdy but there are all types), and you’re likely to find a group of students who you click with.
Update: I ended up putting down deposits for both schools to give me a little more time to decide. I just found out last week that I got a full ride to NC State, but RPI is only $14k a year (however, I’m paying for everything myself…). Any suggestions?
I feel your discomfort with being able to decide but for me there is no doubt I’d prefer the smaller school. To me the sticking points are really the smaller sized school(not feeling lost in a city of faces). The proximity of being near the larger job market (increasing my chances of landing a larger paying job with larger variety to choose from). The premium engineering degree (synonomous with high-ranking science research institutions).
I can see how saving 14k is important for the long run since you will be starting off with student loans when you graduate from RPI and not have any loans from NC. No buts about it, but if I can add an equivalency I’d offer the following.
RPI has a program where if you following their currilculum layout per year, you can graduate in 4 with a bachelors and the 5th year Master’s degree will be covered by financial aid at the same cost. Not many schools offer this.I searched through the NC State website and couldn’t find that they had that. Here’s the write-up for RPI. http://gradoffice.rpi.edu/update.do?catcenterkey=33