<p>I am having this really hard dilemma between WPI and BU. My major is engineering (most likely mechanical). I checked out USNews and they ranked the same in terms of engineering programs (in the 60th), but overall BU ranks slightly higher than WPI. Here is the problem, they both gave me amost the same amount of scholarship so money isn't really a matter right now, and since their rankings are the same, I have no idea what to choose. Somebody please help out??</p>
<p>OK, so all things being equal academically and financially, which college offers what you want socially?</p>
<p>Have you visited either campus? If so, that should solve your query right there, as the two schools are extremely different, rankings aside.</p>
<p>Ok, since I can't find the edit button, I have to edit my thread in a reply.</p>
<p>fireflyscout - Well, I know there are definitely more things to do at Boston than Worcester, but I think WPI is more engineering oriented, and I may find more engineers at WPI, that's what my counselor told me. BU is definitely a cooler place, and more prestigious, but I wonder if companies recognize BU's engineering programs, in other words, will I get the same level job than if I had graduated from WPI.</p>
<p>Art Vandelay - I have considered that but I am an international living in Hungary, so visiting isn't really feasible as it is quite expensive.</p>
<p>inspike:</p>
<p>I don't know if this will help, but my son is also considering WPI.</p>
<p>WPI is a pretty campus, fairly compact, in a pretty depressed city. It's fine if you are on campus, but the overall area is pretty pathetic. The kids seem very happy there - in spite of the skewed social situation with so few girls. Smaller schools can often offer you opportunities to participate in things like music ensembles, theater, certain sports, etc. that you might not make it into in a larger school. For instance, it was one of the few tech schools we visited where the tour guide played cello and was in the orchestra. (Other schools no one even knew if they had an orchestra...) WPI does not seem to emphasize paid co-ops, instead focusing on their projects. Also, their very short semesters are something to think about if you would like or not. Although I hear some complaints about WPI's career office, I would say you will certainly get a job from there assuming you do well.</p>
<p>BU is in the middle of a very vibrant, wealthy city. Lots of public transportation available, and all the things good cities offer. (Don't forget a lot of that stuff costs money!) It is a bigger school and classes will probably be bigger, and you may feel a little more like a number there. Other than that I am not very familiar with BU's engineering (my son also applied to Northeastern, which is close to BU).</p>
<p>My son seems to be leaning towards the tech schools - I think he believes his soul mates are to be found there. I'm less certain about that, but it's not my choice!</p>
<p>Maybe that will help you. It's a hard decision. By the way, job wise, I would think both benefit almost equally from the proximity to Boston's employers.</p>
<p>WPI's reputation, and i do not mean "prestige" (a word that has little real meaning or value today) is excellent.</p>
<p>One thing that impressed me immediately about WPI were the campus police officers - they were incredibly friendly and helpful. I asked several students if the officers were just putting on a show for the parents, but they all said they were always like that. That's just a little thing, but as a parent, that put me at ease - and as a college student myself, I think it's way better to have a cooperative relationship w/campus police than an adversarial one.</p>
<p>I'm not at all math oriented, but I fell in love with WPI when we visited.</p>
<p>weenie - thanks that was helpful. As for being just a "number" in BU, I don't know. Because BU is split into different departments, and the one I am going is the college of engineering, so I suppose in this case we can consider it as a complete different environment from the rest, and in that case its size is similar, is not smaller than WPI.</p>
<p>Here are some results I pulled off from USnews</p>
<p>School........................Worcester Polytechnic Institute(MA)........Boston University</p>
<p>Student-to-faculty ratio.........................13/1.............................. 12/1</p>
<p>Full-time faculty.....................................234 ..............................1,454</p>
<p>Classes with under 20 students ...............71%...............................51%</p>
<p>Classes with 50+ students .......................8%................................10%</p>
<p>Private tuition and fees........................$33,318...........................$33,792</p>
<p>Room/Board..........................................$9,960..........................$10,480 </p>
<hr>
<p>Pretty close though, and since I am going to the college of engineering, some numbers are likely to be less (since this is a overall assessment, I believe)</p>
<p>For some reason it seems like almost everybody is in favor of WPI...</p>
<p>Honestly the only thing I am worried about right now is the quality of education, if they both can grant the same level of education and guarantee a good job afterwards (maybe starting salary is an indication? and yes I will work hard), then I would choose BU, personally I'd like to be in a cool place with more girls and not a "skewed social situation" like weenie said.</p>
<p>But of course, if WPI is indeed better with the opportunity it offers, then I would go there for sure; and social life can wait a bit more.</p>
<p>They are both great choices. Did either guarantee the financial aid for all four years? As an international, you have special problems. What will you do during vacations and summers? BU may be easier. If you live in Boston, not a big problem, plenty to do. WPI will probably empty out every vacation, and if you are staying, you will be there alone. Boston has a huge student population. Worchester does, also, but I'm not sure how many internationals, how many who share apartments year round. I suspect that few stay there year round. Worchester is an hour from Boston, so it isn't like you could go there every day conveniently. I would be more inclined toward BU. Everyone knows where Boston University is, and can sort of imagine it. If you ask someone from the US or another country about WPI, they may well not have heard of it, and may have no idea where it is.</p>
<p>Thank you OneMom, that was very helpful.</p>
<p>I agree that you might want to look into accommodations for internationals. If it's a concern you certainly need to inquire with the school about it!</p>
<p>But, sometimes smaller schools make good arrangements too. I know at my other son's liberal arts college no one goes homeless - even if it means they are stuck there over Christmas or summer or whatever, they make arrangements. Meanwhile, I've heard from kids at larger schools say that when the dorms close they are really really closed!</p>
<p>(WPI lists 5% of its students as internationals or about 140. BU lists 6% or about 1043 - so there is a big difference in student numbers, but you probably already know that.)</p>
<p>weenie - that's a good point, I need to ask the schools about that, cause I may have to stay there in the summer working for my living expenses.</p>