I am having the hardest time ever deciding between these two, so I decided to get extra opinions. I’ve been accepted into both schools, but I can’t choose which one to enroll in. Money is not a factor, because both schools gave me decent aid packages. I live in Manhattan and I would like to stay close to home, but both are fairly close to NYC anyways so this doesn’t matter either. My dream school was Northeastern, but I was rejected from it. However, Northeastern was my dream school because of its famed co op program, and I know that RIT has a very good co op program within itself. However, I need some opinion on the academics of both schools (esp. in CS) and social life, so if anyone could provide me with some insight, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
I looked at all three myself, here’s what I think:
I didn’t end up applying to RPI due to social life, though based on mostly word of mouth / guide research. I did not actually visit. RPI is in Troy, there’s not that much to do. Not that Rochester will offer much more, you will be basically tied to campus at each.
Academically and reputation wise, RPI wins hands down. It has an amazing CS program and you will get opportunities to get jobs at top companies. The lacking thing will be the experience, but both will get you jobs IMO. And you can go out and get internships while at RPI, it just won’t be as easy as it would be in a co-op program.
From someone who visited RPI, the buildings are very modern apparently. Very cool and techy if you want that feel. The social life would be the lacking part I think. I can’t say how much better it is at RIT though.
I didn’t look too in depth for RPI / RIT except for the CS departments, where I can assure you that RPI wins out. If it sounds like a fit, I think it’s the right choice despite co-op at RIT. That can boost RIT over some schools, but not RPI.
Thank you PengsPhils for the reply. RPI’s aid package was actually far lower than I expected, and combined with RIT’s merit aid, RPI will be more than double the 11k it would cost for me to go to RIT. I also really hope to transfer to either the University of Michigan, Northeastern University or New York University after my sophomore year, so I guess the college choice right now does not matter too much. In addition, RPI requires me to start in spring, which is close to a deal breaker for me. I’m visiting RPI soon to see how it is but right now, I’m leaning towards RPI. Thanks for the help, though.