<p>I’m certainly no expert on the subject but I know that many people either work for a few years or go straight to medical school after college. Certainly you wouldn’t need a PhD in pharmacy to get into medical school. </p>
<p>Also, how much will your family be able to pay and how much will you have to take out in loans? If you need to take out loans, go to RPI. You will get a good education and save tens of thousands of dollars.</p>
<p>My family can afford 30K a year, but Midwestern is way too expensive. What about the fact that RPI is on the worst professor list? [25</a> Universities with the Worst Professors - Yahoo! Finance](<a href=“http://finance.yahoo.com/news/25-universities-with-the-worst-professors-204146173.html]25”>25 Universities with the Worst Professors)</p>
<p>The basis for that report, rate my professor, is a joke, and as has been pointed out in another forum it’s not a coincidence the majority of the schools are highly technical (engineering) which is very challenging. I have a friend at work who attended RPI years ago and finished with a PhD in aero. It’s a good school.</p>
<p>Students love RPI twice - when they get there and when they leave. It’s the in-between time that is a long, hard grind. Here is a direct quote from my son’s friend, a top HS student and a freshman this year: “I hate it here. It’s so hard.” This is after they made the freshman curriculum pass/fail. College athletes have a a saying: “Sports, social life, academics; choose any two.” RPI is more like “choose any 1 1/2.”</p>
<p>My issues with RPI had mostly to do with myself. I was immature, went to college at 17, and at that time not a very healthy person. To succeed, you need to stay ahead of the work and be able to process information very quickly. It’s not just the ability to “work harder;” many fail out because they don’t have the intellectual processing speed to stay competetive. Some just don’t have the stamina to get through with weeks in a row of little sleep. All of this can add up to “I hate my professor,” but it really is not their fault. Courses are hard and you will be expected to perform.</p>
<p>The plus side is that if you make it through, few others will have the level of competence in solving theoretical engineering problems. It’s like running stairs for four years with a 40 lb. pack. When you take the pack off, you all of a sudden realize that you are a little faster and a little stronger than the people around you. Maybe not CalTech strong, but you get my point. My first day on the job I was given a circuit problem, something that the 33 other engineers were unable to solve on their first days. It took me about 30 minutes.</p>
<p>Here is what I consider the most important piece of advice I give to aspiring engineers: do not go to a high reach school for engineering. Despite what you hear, engineering is an increasingly competetive field for finding a job. Importing another million indentured techies is not going to help. You will need good grades and relevant experience. The way to get that relevant experience is to get good grades.</p>
<p>I really wish I knew more about CWR - it was on the short list for my son but, due to a complication of circumstance, he ended up not applying. It has a good reputation as a rigorous school but without quite as many “I hate it here” reviews from the students. </p>
<p>So Joly, yesterday was the day, right? Are you willing to share the decision? Those of us who have done it and continue to help others through the maze can offer up our tips and tricks for success. Best of luck wherever you land.</p>