<p>Hey all. my son got admitted to both Drexel and RIT. Drexel was #1 for him at one point but now he's split. Does anyone have words of advice comparing the two? He's going into computer science.</p>
<p>I cannot speak about the CS departments at each school, but we did visit both and our son also applied to both. He was admitted ED at RIT, so he withdrew his Drexel application before we found out whether he was admitted. Having said that, however, it was never really close between the two schools for our son. He much preferred RIT based on the campus and the students. Drexel, as you know, is very urban and the campus is broken up by city streets and, to our son, felt like it wasn’t a cohesive campus. For example, the cafeteria was far from the dorms and you had to cross several city streets. RIT, on the other hand, is a more traditional, though spread-out, campus. The students at RIT also just had the geeky flavor that he wants. He spent a lot of time at all the schools looking at the postings on the various (physical) boards to see club activities, music interests, etc., and RIT just fit him better. </p>
<p>All I have mentioned is very personal to each kid so maybe it didn’t help, but I thought I’d add our experiences with both. Don’t get me wrong; our son could have made Drexel work, but he simply preferred RIT for some of the reasons I stated.</p>
<p>We also visited both schools … Not for CS…but both have coops but the physical settings are completely different. Drexel is noisy and busy and close to. Major business centers. RIT is in the middle of the countryside. Are you a city or country person? Both are good schools</p>
<p>@marybee, I was surprised that my son was so into the urban campus. It wasn’t what he thought he wanted before he visited there and Northeastern, but he really likes that vibe. We’re visiting RIT in a couple weeks then Drexel again before he decides but I suspect he may prefer Drexel due to the urban environment (go figure).</p>
<p>Drexel is excellent but it costly…S received a big Drexel Scholarship but it is still too expensive he loved it but the debt would be outrageous. Deciding between PSU Main, PITT, RIT and Lehigh. All are awesome schools. </p>
<p>A difference btw Drexel & RIT, other than 40’ of snow a year, is that Drexel you pay tuition during the coop from what I understand you do not at RIT. You just pay a service fee and of course room and board if yo are still living on campus.</p>
<p>Hmm, on the tuition during COOP thing: that’s not my understanding but good to know. I’ll be sure to confirm that. thanks for the info.</p>
<p>at drexel you pay this per year LESS SCHOLARSHIPS AND AID whether you are in school or on coop…Basically $65k for 4 yr 1 coop, 59K per year for 5 yr 3 coop. Check your Drexel letter I would like to hear your take on it.</p>
<p>Here is the link to the COA
<a href=“http://www.drexel.edu/undergrad/financing/break-down/tuition/[/url]”>http://www.drexel.edu/undergrad/financing/break-down/tuition/</a></p>
<p>Drexel Tuition Three Co-op Option (5 Years)</p>
<p>Students beginning* $35,135
Sep-13<br>
Fees Annual
General Fee $1,715
Laboratory Fee $405
Equipment Fee, $250–$950*
Nursing Co-op<br>
Student Activity Fee $250 ($150 for Nursing students)
Immunization Fee $35
Room & Board Annual
Housing $5,820–$9,900**
Meal Plan $5,685–$5,955**</p>
<pre><code>one Co-op Option (4 Years)
</code></pre>
<p>Drexel Tuition $43,135
Fees Annual
General Fee $1,715
Laboratory Fee $405
Equipment Fee, $250–$950*
Nursing Co-op<br>
Student Activity Fee $250 ($150 for Nursing students)
Immunization Fee $35
Room & Board Annual*
Housing $5,820–$9,900***
Meal Plan $5,685–$5,955***</p>
<p>I don’t have a dog in this fight but easily googled it and found this </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.drexel.edu/westphal/forStudents/co-op/FaQ/[/url]”>http://www.drexel.edu/westphal/forStudents/co-op/FaQ/</a></p>
<p>ARE STUDENTS PAID WHILE WORKING ON CO-OP?
Some students are paid while working on Co-op. In some instances, the student may decide to work on a Co-op that doesn’t pay.
SINCE I’M NOT IN SCHOOL WHILE I’M ON CO-OP, DO I PAY TUITION?
Co-op is a requirement for graduation and is part of a student’s educational experience. The annual tuition bill is not reduced while on Co-op.
CAN I CO-OP IN ANOTHER CITY?
Yes. However, students are required to provide their own living arrangements and transportation if they plan to Co-op in another city.
CAN I ATTEND CLASSES WHILE ON CO-OP?
It is not recommended that students take classes while on Co-op.
Students are permitted to take a maximum of six credits per term in the evening during their co-op experience. Four credits per term are included in the annual tuition. The Career Development Office (SCDC) will review the student requests to take courses during co-op experiences to ensure that classes will not conflict with the normal scheduled working hours of the employer.</p>
<p>My daughter is at RIT and will have to do a coop before graduation. You do not pay tuition and it is I expected and required that you make a typical wage – not work for free. We hope she will find a job in NYC, where we live, and not have housing expenses to deal with.</p>
<p>Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk</p>
<p>I agree that is what I said in the first place</p>
<p>Drexel…“The annual tuition bill is not reduced while on Co-op.” while at RIT you do not.</p>
<p>No fight here just trying to point out a difference btw the two. The bottom line is the factor for us even with a large scholarship S received, Drexel is too expensive in my opinion.</p>
<p>Depends on your FASFA your scholarship and how much you saved.</p>
<p>Sadly, you’re correct on the costs. I could have sworn that when we visited they said you don’t pay tuition during coops but the online evidence says differently. Based on this, Drexel is much more expensive all things considered.</p>
<p>Lex,</p>
<p>Don’t just go by the on-line stuff your aid amount could be much different depending on need and what scholarships you recieve.</p>
<p>Has you son been accepted already? If so see what your letter says. If not apply and see they waived the app fee for us.</p>
<p>I would not rule Drexel out , just look at the numbers carefully. We just are not a good fit we make too much to get aid and too little to afford it even with a nice scholarship.</p>
<p>It is a great school but just not worth it for our scenario.</p>
<p>Hi, there!
Just a question for EFCShock: did your S decide which school to go to?
My S is also trying to decide between RIT, Pitt, Penn state, he was waitlisted by WPI, he thought all these schools have good engineering programs.
He liked RIT the most, but he felt the kids were playing too much video games and didn;t have a very good social life. He is not too much of a party kid ( doesn’t like to drink ), but would enjoy more to be with friends rather then to stay in a room and play videogames.
Any thoughts about the social life at RIT and if kids are getting involved in other activities?</p>
<p>EFShock, yes we got the letters from both and found that, all up, the costs of Drexel were about $80k more than RIT for 5 years.</p>
<p>Hey mamasrom , he Picked RIT he was accepted to about 10 schools but the final picks were PITT, PSU Main, Drexel, Rennsular, Dusquense (3/2 w/ Pitt). I don’t know about the social aspect there are plenty of clubs, parties and activities RIT but I’m sure there are a lot of kids who sit around playing video games as well. Like anything it is what they make of it.</p>
<p>He seems to like RIT and I have heard good things, the Net Prices btw PITT, PSU, RIT, Duquesne were all about the same so ok w/ me. All have great academics.</p>
<p>If I could go back myself I think I would have picked PITT becuase it is near all the sports venues. But i won’t be attending college anytime soon.</p>
<p>Hi EFCShock, Congrats on your sons decision of RIT. We plan to visit in the Fall. Have just started looking at sites for PITT and Duquesne. Not much on CC about those. Would you mind sharing your thoughts on those and if they were “generous” with merit…wondering if a 6 hour trip to Pittsburgh is worth it? You may pm me if you prefer. Thanks!</p>
<p>Tpc,</p>
<p>Both PITT Dusquesne are very generous. If you are in state PITT is a good deal anyway. Duquesne offered a great package and is small, great teacher ration. Classes were on the large side at PITT. Both had excellent campuses. Really liked them both. It depends on what you son or Daughter wants to Study.</p>