<p>I'm really tied up in knots over this one. I haven't visited either campus yet (going to RPI Sat, WPI a week from tomorrow), but I was hoping some people here can give some persuasive argument one way or the other. I realize that WPI has a markedly different academic calendar and has the 2 major projects, but is there anything else I'm really missing? Much Thanks.</p>
<p>Ferris, from what I know about WPI, it has an excellent programs but I'm not sure if it is really well known outside of the northeast/Mass. RPI is better known with employers outside of that region.
RPI in general is the better overall with higher SATs, more endowment, more campus research facilities, etc.
RPI is hot now as applications have gone from about 5,000 to about 10,000
over the past two years (partly due to RPI's designation as New Ivy League by KaplanNewsweek).</p>
<p>What I wonder about these 2 schools, is which is more oriented towards educating undergraduates?</p>
<p>RPI has around 5,000 undergrads and only about 2,000 grads. Also you can start doing research as early as your second semester at RPI. This to me means that there is a strong focus on undergraduate education and as a student I feel that the professors are very focused on both so it's good whether your a grad or undergrad.</p>
<p>"Also you can start doing research as early as your second semester at RPI."</p>
<p>That is, if you find a professor that has funding/room in his lab for you...</p>
<p>It never hurts to just find some research project you're interested in and work with the prof - even if you're not getting paid right away. You may get paid eventually, but even if you're getting <em>just</em> experience...it's a huge step up for summer internships, jobs after you graduate, or grad school if you're heading that way.</p>
<p>We were at RPI today and it really sounded like research opportunities at RPI are very easy to find. We also talked to a number of people who'd had several research opportunities. We also talked to some who were more interested in internships and found many opportunities through the Incubator Program <a href="http://www.rpi.edu/dept/incubator/homepage/%5B/url%5D">http://www.rpi.edu/dept/incubator/homepage/</a>. </p>
<p>I'll know more about WPI when we visit Wedesday. My brother who is VP at a Boston web development firm hires quite a few WPI graduates. They don't see as many RPI applicants, but I think that's a location issue.</p>
<p>My son & I have visited both colleges, and altho similar, theere are important distinctions. WPI is a much smaller, older campus. Many of the WPI buildings are old, & appear to be at the point of replacement. They have a finite campus, so no room for expansion that we saw. One gets a cramped feeling while touring.
WPI's 7-week terms are quite interesting. They have integrated many programs & study requirements around them. It appears to be a well thought out academic term plan.
Their tour is exceptional-- they even bring in 2 students to explain their college project & co-op experiences.
I agree with the previous posters-- WPI is less known nationally. Also, student body is less diverse geographically. Most students are from Mass.
After touring both, my son applied ED to RPI & was accepted, so that ended it for us.</p>
<p>Actually, the out of state numbers are closer than you might think. 52% out of state for RPI, 49% for WPI.</p>
<p>I didn't visit RPI, but visited WPI twice. I disagree that the campus has no room for expansion, because the city of Worcester is pretty depressed, there are lots of opportunities for rehabbing old buildings and expanding the campus that way. I also thought that even the older buildings were in really good condition - they were well-maintained. And WPI is an hour from Boston, so it's cool to have nearby access to a city that is crawling with college students. </p>
<p>My D didn't apply to RPI because a very good friend of hers is there, and D's friend is not enthusiastic about the school - she doesn't hate it, but she told D that if she had to choose again, she would chose differently (I'm not sure if she's actually transferring somewhere else or not).</p>
<p>I have a few friends who graduated from RPI, and they enjoyed their college years there, although they were all in the same fraternity, so the good times they reminice about are all frat centered drinking parties. </p>
<p>I think for my daughter, WPI was a better fit, but you kind of have to make that decision for yourself.</p>
<p>I liked WPI, but it did seem very small. One nice thing about the projects is that they give all students intern-like experiences for credit without losing anytime from school. We had a good time chatting up the kids in the sci fi club and the board games club, but there were plenty of less geeky choices. There was a mix of older and new buildings. Personally, I think older buildings in general have more charm than newer ones.</p>