RPI for $35K or Georgia Tech for $40K

<p>This is the decision my son is facing. RPI feels like a better fit for him, from my perspective, but Georgia tech is 2nd only to JHU in biomedical engineering, his intended major. Georgia Tech ranks better in just about any major he'd consider, and as a school overall, but RPI seems very good, is giving him a huge scholarship, has smaller classes, seems like they send many students on to get PhDs, and there are many other positives. Also - if he accepts RPI and hates it, he can always transfer to GT, but he's NOT likely to get the same scholarship amount as a transfer student to RPI from GT. I'd appreciate any insight people can offer.</p>

<p>mom, I have some questions. Can you really say with certainty that he will be accepted to GT if he wants to transfer? $35 versus $40 doesn’t sound like a huge difference. Are you talking total costs after all aid is considered by both schools? You said from your perspective RPI feels like a better fit. What does your son think?</p>

<p>I have a friend who goes to Georgia tech (mechanical engineering major) and he says the atmosphere is much better than RPI’s could’ve been. The academics are rigorous however Georgia tech’s co-op is very highly regarded. RPI is currently developing a co-op program now but as a senior who would’ve been faced with decision (assuming that I’d be able to come home equally as often and such which should be considered also) i think that georgia tech is a better fit.</p>