<p>Currently, I am supposed to be moving into RPI this weekend. However, I was also given the option of attending Olin College next year. </p>
<p>I like both of these schools, for different reasons. I feel like the social life at RPI would be better, due to more students, more clubs and a larger campus. But I think that academically, Olin would be stronger. Olin also has a history of having the hardest working but happiest students. I am a bit weary of RPI's academics, because I have been told by so many that they are near impossible, and test averages can be expected to be in the 20%. At the same time, Olin is very small, and it might be too confining. I have no idea about which one to pick. </p>
<p>I have been reading every post I could find about RPI or Olin on CC, but I didn't find one where they were compared to each other. Please help!! I only have 2 days left to decide...</p>
<p>That’s tough, I guess it is hard to pick what environment. I would probably pick Olin, it’s just really unique and near Boston. And there are classes and social activities with Babson, Wellesley and Brandeis for variety. You can also go to Boston for fun. But if you think RPI is hard, I’d expect Olin to be quite challenging. The student I know that went was the class Val in a challenging school. There is likely some very close work and support with professors, though. (I do know of the student from Olin but not close enough to hear much about it, they are in medical school now.)</p>
<p>fyi,: weary mean tired. wary means showing caution as does leery</p>
<p>If you don’t mind my asking, why is Olin letting you come “next year” and not this year? </p>
<p>Thanks @BrownParent. Yeah, I know Olin is challenging too, except the students seem to embrace the types of challenges Olin puts forth. If I had been offered admission this year, I would definitely be going to Olin. However, I do not know what to do in the year I would be waiting for Olin. </p>
<p>@redpoodles I was waitlisted at Olin. It has a special waitlist policy that allows you to attend the following year, because to them, being waitlisted means that you are accepted into the school, there just wasn’t enough space.</p>
<p>The net cost to wait one year, assuming both schools cost the same, is $60 to $80k. Basically, that’s your first year salary that will be delayed one year that you would receive if you went to RPI. That will take years to make up, if you ever do, as there is little evidence Olin engineers are paid more than RPI engineers. Yes, Olin is a great school and arguably better than RPI, but the cost of waiting a year might be too much.</p>
<p>Engineers aren’t athletes who have a small window in which to make good money. Whether the economy is good or bad when you start out will have a bigger effect on your lifetime earnings than starting out earlier or later. Plus which (at least for guys), maturation happens a ton in their early 20’s, so starting out a year later may actually be better in the long-run. </p>
<p>However, when it comes to costs, what will RPI cost you? Olin is half-tuition, no?</p>
<p>@PurpleTitan With scholarships and need factored in, RPI and Olin will come down to roughly the same cost (and yes, Olin is half-tuition). </p>
<p>BTW, I’m female, so your point was good, it just doesn’t apply to me :)</p>
<p>Does male-female ratio matter to you?</p>
<p>Unless your family is on financially shaky ground and could really use another breadwinner soon, I say go with your gut and fit. You ideally want to be somewhere that you’d be very excited about and would be a very proud alum of. If it would be a tough decision for you even if start year wasn’t a consideration (or unless your family needs you), go with RPI. If Olin would be a clear favorite if there wasn’t this start date issue, go with Olin.</p>
<p>BTW, why such a late decision? You had the whole summer to decide.</p>
<p>When did you have to let Olin know?</p>
<p>I’d pick RPI in a heartbeat on academic grounds. </p>
<p>I have yet to see any good reason to attend Olin. The appeal is great on paper, but in practice, I think the education is very limited by their size and their overall philosophy. </p>
<p>@ClassicRockerDad : Interesting. What about Olin’s overall philosophy is limiting?</p>
<p>I would say go to RPI unless you actually have a plan for what you are going to do for the year. By plan, I don’t mean working a year at a dead-end job. Something like Americorps might be a good idea if you are into the idea of service. I disagree with Mr. Mom’s take on losing 60k-80k by waiting a year though. In reality, you will hit the “real world” faster and start paying bills a year sooner, there’s a good chance you don’t wind up with an extra 60k-80k with all the living expenses when it is said and done.</p>
<p>@PurpleTitan No, the ratio does not bother me. I have been debating this all summer, and RPI’s move in day is this weekend, which is why I need to make a final decision. </p>
<p>@ClassicRockerDad I have the same q as @PurpleTitan, What about Olin’s overall philosophy is limiting?</p>
<p>I still don’t understand why you didn’t make a decision earlier. You consider all aspects, you debate, and you make a decision, and you own it, and you stick with it. That’s how you move forward in this world. Plus, how would you feel if someone signed up to be your roommate, and you make preparations assuming that you’ll have a roommate (including financial ones) then get jilted the day before move-in?</p>
<p>Any path you choose would have advantages and drawbacks, but understand that life is what you make of it & your own effort and talents will overwhelm any drawback or advantage. The grass isn’t always greener elsewhere. Have some confidence in yourself. If you did, you’d believe that you’d do well regardless of where you go. </p>
<p>I believe the phrase is fish or cut bait.</p>
<p>I don’t like Olin’s “project based” approach over fundamentals. I don’t think Olin’s grads can go into “anything” within their discipline. I think there is a bias to teach what the faculty know. I don’t think the EE curriculum challenges their terrific students to their capacity. I think Olin is an experiment where the jury is still out. </p>
<p>RPI is a more traditional small focused research institution that virtually every company in the northeast recruits at. </p>