<p>I have been admitted to the electrical engineering programs at RPI and Penn: TA & tuition waive at RPI, TA without tuition waive at Penn. </p>
<p>The tuition is about $30,000 at Penn (but I think I can obtain a RA position since the second year.) Besides, EE@RPI seems to be better than EE@Penn according to USNEWS. </p>
<p>Despite of these cons, I a little prefer Penn not only because of its reputation but its location, Pilly. Do you guys have any suggestion for me? Please be as honest as possible and don’t hesitate to give me some negative comments. Thanks.</p>
<p>Well, EE is not Penn Engineering's strongest point. Actually, it seems as if it is the weakest (which is weird, since at most engineering schools EE is the central, most influential department). However, if you're looking for a more flexible curriculum (the EE curriculum is surprisingly flexible - you can choose your own depth/breadth classes), have a side inclination to another subject (such as business, econ, etc) then Penn would be the better chocie. I unfortunately can't speak about RPI's EE program because I am not familiar with it.</p>
<p>There are many more factors to consider other than the US News Rankings. As you have stated, since you like Penn's atmosphere and location, I think it would be a great choice for you. Even with its lowly rankings, the university will undoubetdly open doors for you.</p>
<p>(don't take the public's lack of knowledge on RPI to be a bad thing...it's not the public who hires you, it's people who know engineering schools...)</p>
<p>I agree $30k is not much a difference. I am actually more concerned about the job perspective after graduation. I prefer to work in the neighborhood of NY and Philly. </p>
<p>Rensselaer has a better research in engineering (especially electrical engr). Penn is among ivies and provides a more flexible curriculum. Which one do you think can help me much to pursue a job in Electrical Engineering?</p>
<p>When I say Penn's EE is weak, I am speaking from what upperclassmen EE majors have told me, and is not the absolute truth.</p>
<p>First off, there is not much research being done as opposed to giant EE schools such as MIT and Berkeley. Since the BE and CBE department have such strong influence, they are usually the ones who get funding first. This lack of research hurts both the department's prestige and rankings. Another big problem is that the lack of research grant prevents the department from attracting new, more renowned professors. </p>
<p>Second, and this is purely through rumors, the professors are not that great. The classes are boring, the professors are indifferent. I just spoke with the undergraduate chair a couple weeks ago, and he could care less whether or not I wanted to transfer. The "feel" I got from the overall department (chair, professors, even secretaries) was unlike other departments such as BE, CBE, CIS or even MSE.</p>
<p>I love Penn. The students are extremely happy and, given its preprofessional orientation, I assume this includes their perceptions of job prospects. Overall, Penn is better known, but I suspect, as others have noted, this may not be the case for people in EE. </p>
<p>It was a little difficult to tell from your cryptic post how much money difference you are talking about. If the difference is 30,000 per year, then it is hard to imagine any place could give you enough more in EE to justify the expense. You could take an extra year and get a masters for one year's cost difference. People who will hire you in EE will know all about RPI.</p>
<p>Go to PENN. RPI is just tech school with limited others. If you get CMU or MIT UMich or Berkeley orUIUC then you go there for EE, but RPI does not offer any thing which Penn does.</p>