Hi!!
I was accepted to my top two schools (RPI and Stevens) and am super thrilled but have no idea what to chose. Both of the schools would probably cost 40k a year with scholarships, which is kinda rough, and both are about the same in size and atmosphere and I could picture myself at either. However, I also got into NJIT honors with a full ride and Manhattan honors, which would be more affordable.
Does anyone have any opinions… I’m planning on majoring in civil engineering so any information about the oppprotunities at the schools would be appreciated.
So you would have to pay $120K to go to RPI for 4 years…
You can get loans for $31,000 on your own…where does the rest of the money come from?
Your parents would have to co-sign for loans.
As long as everyone knows that, by at least one objective measure, standardized test scoring, RPI attracts a student body that is more academically prepared than students at, for example, UC-Berkeley, UMichigan, Emory and William & Mary, then the comments are fair.
If your NJIT offer is truly “full ride” meaning tuition, room, and board are covered, NJIT should be your choice. Save the $160,000 that RPI or Stevens would cost and use the money for grad school or get an early start on a retirement fund. You’ll be light years ahead of your peers on graduation day.
Why not tour the 2 affordable options? I personally don’t think I could live at NJIT unless I had no better affordable options. I would happily go to NJIT on a full ride it that is what I could afford. I might even consider commenting to NJIT if possible. Also, check out internship and career center opportunities at the affordable schools. Check out the student body, weekend activities, etc and see where you best fit in. Good luck and congratulations on your excellent options!
What’s your parents’ budget? Can they pay the 40K a year without taking parental loans (ie., can your family afford 40K if you work part time now and during the year + full time during the summer + take on the federal loans + your parents’ savings for your college + a chunk of their income each month?) Or would attending RPI require your parents to take on Parent PLUS loans?
If they can afford it with belt tightening (ie., no eating out) I say RPI hands down.
If they can’t afford it… NJIT.
Always a tricky decision - you’re looking at value for money which is often in the eye of the beholder rather than being absolute. Whichever way you slice it the choice essentially boils down to a RPI degree versus an NJIT degree + $160,000 in your pocket.
Does the difference in degree quality, college living experience and job prospects equate to $160,000? (Actually more than $160,000 if you take into account interest that could be earned on any college savings and interest charged on any loans - could be nudging towards $200,000 difference in monetary outcome until you factor in the possible post-college earning difference)
This may not be a real choice. If you parents can’t afford RPI and won’t co-sign loans for you then it’s not a real option. Until OP answer the what can his parents afford and are willing to pay no one can really give you an answer.
Even if you and/or your parents can afford RPI, a full ride at NJIT (with Honors) is a better decision…ESPECIALLY for an ABET accredited undergraduate civil engineering degree. You will likely have a better chance of standing out amongst your peers at NJIT as well. No one on this thread is arguing that RPI is not a great school. It is. But its hard to justify that it’s worth $160,000 more than NJIT.
An issue with njit is where it’s located - pretty depressing and, if you walk too far off campus, downright dangerous. Environment does play a role.
It’s a bit like the kid who has a full ride to Millersville or can attend Lehigh for 40k. Granted, NJIT is MUCH better than Millersville, so the experience wouldn’t be as radically different, but until we know whether rpi is affordable , we shouldn’t cross it out right off the bat.
wow i was not expecting this much response but thank you!! my family appealed the financial aid award that RPI gave me and it is much more affordable now so that is where I will be going next year
