<p>Hi,
Son (HS junior) is about to go visit Renssalear Poly Tech (in NY) & Worcester Poly Tech (in MA) -- we're leaving in about 1/2 hour & touring both (!) tomorrow (will check back)</p>
<p>Son is interested in software engineering/computer science. Trying not to think to much about admission requirements/cost (although those will be factors down the road)...just curious about the relative strenth of both programs? Knowledgable computer science people on CC have been super helpful with navigating this completely (to me) new comp sci area. Just thought I'd throw it out there & see if anyone had any thoughts on either/both schools?</p>
<p>I can't believe you're touring both in one day! How is that even possible? </p>
<p>I can't comment on the relative strength of the two programs at these two highly respected schools. Just thinking that location is a big factor as well. Some of the kids at RPI feel pretty isolated. If being there for more than a couple of hours is an option, I'd suggest getting a feel for life in the area and how that will feel. Ditto WPI, but it is not as isolated.</p>
<p>Maybe this is not a strong factor for your S, but I think it should be considered.</p>
<p>Our son attends RPI, is a compsci/cogsci dual major and has had a wonderful 4 years there. He will soon be mulling over grad school offers.</p>
<p>I also know two recent grads of WPI also and they both enjoyed their time there. Both happened to be in AFROTC and are now commissioned officers.</p>
<p>Although I have no first hand knowledge of WPI, I would have to guess that there is little difference academically between it and RPI. I know RPI fares better in the "rankings" but that means very little IMHO because I view rankings as mere beauty contests of little substantive value.</p>
<p>WPI has a work/study project term for its engineering students but I am not sure if that applies to other majors as well. Check the catalogue on that. It seems a good way to get some practical experience outside the classroom. The two WPI grads I mentioned before spent these terms in Norway(?) and Washington, DC.</p>
<p>RPI has its Minds and Machines interdisciplinary major which my son is finishing up. Its a compsci/cogsci dual major geared toward AI. The department have several research labs(RAIR, PandA, CogWorks) which many of the undergrads work in. In addition there is a biweekly lunch colloquium where faculty and students discuss their research.</p>
<p>So its a coin flip unless the visits nudges him in a particular direction. And of course the finaid package may influence his decision.</p>
<p>Both RPI and WPI are in gritty former industrial towns, but both are in attractive neighborhoods. The main difference between RPI and WPI is that at WPI has quarters and you take three courses at a time for seven weeks. They also have a fairly serious project requirements. My brother is VP of a computer software firm in Boston. They think very highly of WPI graduates. Both students bodies seemed pretty outgoing and friendly, especially WPI. Both schools had too many a capella singing groups. (for my son). They both had a good collection of clubs to appeal to nerds like my son. (Sci fi, game creation stuff like that). I thought WPI seemed too small, but that may be mitigated by the fact that it is part of a five college consortium that includes the pretty well-regarded Clark University. Worcester is about 1.5 hours from Boston. Troy is near Albany. WPI offered my son $5000 more a year than RPI did. :)</p>
<p>We got back from visiting both schools today (9 a.m at RPI & 3 p.m. at WPI--just made it...the drive back home to NJ was long, though!).</p>
<p>Son seemed to like RPI better (incredible research lab center--apparently as the result of a huge donation). </p>
<p>Students seemed nice at both. Both had pretty campuses (surprising for me--at tech schools was expecting super modern architecture--lots of old-fashioned buildings there too).</p>
<p>WPI--students don't do co-ops as often, rather they do internships & the interdisciplinary project. Interesting. Bigger co-op emphasis at RPI. </p>