<p>I've been accepted to both and I was wondering which one actually provides the best education in engineering. Drexel provides the Co-op, but are the actual engineering classes good quality? As for Rutgers, I've heard that the School of Engineering is one of the best around, and it will be very cheap for me since I'm in-state ($22,000 for Rutgers vs $44,000 for Drexel).</p>
<p>I have gotten a hefty scholarship from Drexel, but the tuition would still be more expensive than Rutgers without a scholarship. Ever since I've gotten accepted to both, I've been wondering which school is actually better for engineering. Should I go for 3 Co-ops with a weaker engineering school, or a very strong one without any co-ops?</p>
<p>If anyone could help narrow down my decision I really appreciate it :D</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about Drexel, but I know there are so many opportunities at Rutgers for research, internships, co-ops, and others. The thing with Rutgers is that you have to go out and take the initiative with these things, you can’t expect them all to fall into your lap. (I would presume Drexel doesn’t just throw things at you either, but I have no idea, haha.)</p>
<p>I had to make a decision last year between two universities as well (Rutgers vs. CMU); and let me tell you, as much as you research and pull out your hair over this, it is ultimately your decision and no one else can make it for you.</p>
<p>I believe college is what you make of it and most people can be happy anywhere. Just remember that college isn’t just academics; it’s where you’re spending your next four years. Good luck!</p>
<p>Now that you mention it, Drexel really IS handing out job positions. Except I don’t think that’s good in a way because through their Co-op program, they kind of make sure that you get a job; it’s easy to get accepted to Drexel and I’m not exactly sure how capable I am of holding an actual engineering position yet. I was also concerned because they force you to take your first co-op at the beginning of your sophomore year… after having taken only the basic engineering classes. The plus side is that when you graduate, one of the companies you worked for might want you back.</p>
<p>Hmm this is going to be a hard decision… I can picture myself being happier at Rutgers, but then Drexel has so many opportunities too I think my final decision will be based on the campuses and the financial aid I receive.</p>
<p>Thanks for all you help! You helped me see another side of things :)</p>
<p>You’re welcome! I wish you all the best. (:</p>
<p>Also, I’ve talked to a few upperclassmen about research/internship experiences and such. The employer (co-op company?) shouldn’t expect you to know exactly how to do everything by sophomore year; you’re a student and you’re learning! That shouldn’t be a problem if the co-op is legit. (Basically, if Drexel has such a well-run co-op program, you should be fine. So don’t worry too much about it.)</p>
<p>I love Rutgers, so I’m quite biased, haha. If you have any more questions, I’d be happy to try and answer them.</p>
<p>I have to say that Drexel’s co-op program is simply amazing, but I’m still very concerned as far as the school in general goes. It’s a great engineering school, but I feel like they make themselves out to be too “perfect.” When I did research through their website, Drexel seems perfect beyond belief. But after doing College Confidential and other third party research, a lot of people had bad things to say about Drexel that would’ve never come to my mind (based on the campus, conditions outside the campus itself, dorm food, classes, etc). It seems that people are either super happy there or completely dissatisfied with everything. It scares me a bit because I don’t want to go there and find out that Drexel is not what I thought it was But then there are co-ops… Wow I never realized I would have to do this much thinking lol.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Rutgers is very close by, so I’ve seen the campus in day, night, and all kinds of weather. I know Rutgers can be a party school and all, but I guess that goes for any college. I don’t know much about Drexel other than its offerings and its campus by daylight, so I still have to find out lots more about it to compare the two. West Philadelphia gets freaky at night, so I’d probably just have to see for myself if I really want to live there for 5 years.</p>
<p>I do have one question for you though:</p>
<p>I asked someone in my family who went to Drexel (a long time ago, so there advice about Drexel would be a bit outdated lol) if they recommended Rutgers for engineering. He said no straight away because of the social situation: he had two friends drop out from there after being distracted from school work. So basically people that he knew that were very hard working got pressured into not doing schoolwork. Do you know if this is common at all?</p>
<p>Thanks again for all your help!! It helps so much to have a primary source!</p>
<p>People’s opinions are always subjective; it’s always hard to see how you will fare because your personal experiences may be totally different from someone else’s personal experiences.</p>
<p>It’s difficult to understand the circumstances of those students. College in general can be totally distracting just because you are away from your parents (perhaps for the first time), everyone around you is your age, and you live with them. There is so much independence and depending on how well you can buckle down and commit to certain undesirable tasks (err, such as studying for exams…), it may make or break you.</p>
<p>Rutgers has dorms specifically for engineers (Barr and Mattia), and that helps a lot in terms of people taking the same classes as you and general work atmosphere. People around you will pretty much have the same amount of work, so they can’t distract you as much as someone with relatively little work could and you guys can help each other. I believe that is very helpful.</p>
<p>Of course, since you are independent, the responsibility falls on your own shoulders in the end. You are the one who chooses to study or to play rock band with friends. And who is to say you should study all the time? A big part of college is figuring out how to balance your academic and social life.</p>
<p>Hey koto! I’d like to thank you for being such a good guidance counselor!! :D</p>
<p>I did more research on Drexel, and I was right; it’s nothing like I thought it was. The only good thing that current students have to say about it is the Co-op. But Rutgers is the best option for me financially and academically, so there’s a good chance I’m going there :)</p>
I think my final decision will be based on the campuses and the financial aid I receive.</p>
It helps so much to have a primary source!</p>