Hi College Confidential folks, this website has been a great help for me throughout my college search and admissions journey. I have finally narrowed my decision to these three schools WPI, Case Western, and RPI. I was hoping maybe CC could help me once again for this final decision. I am kind of leaning against going to RPI so the decision is really between WPI and Case but I guess I could be swayed to reconsider. I am planning on studying computer science and the price difference of the three schools is negligible. I am not going to make my decision based purely off what strangers on the internet say, but I would greatly appreciate anyone’s advice or opinions on my decision. Thanks.
In order I’d say RPI, WPI, CWRU.
rensselaer has the better program (by far) of all of them. They are also ranked higher which to me doesn’t matter as much but albeit, the ranking does indicate atleast a little something with regard to some of the details. You will definitely get a better job coming out of rpi. Also, if you talk to an advisor, you can get your master’s degree in 5 years without the cost of the master’s pricetag. The reason is, they can cover your undergrad financial aid over your computer science master’s time there. Safe campus, nice buildings, good people, good teachers. All girl’s school a few blocks away, plenty of restaurants in town. The only downside is the price, so if you can afford it, and don’t mind the almost MIT level rigor, then chose RPI and be set for life.
That said, between case and worcester, case is ranked higher and has a ‘slightly’ better program than WPI BUT, I wouldn’t go to case simply for it’s location. It’s not just slightly bad, it’s REAL bad. It’s a great school but it needs some walls or something.
TLDR, RPI no doubt.
@GoRedhead
I appreciate your opinion but if you look at the results the average starting salaries, job placements, and graduate schools are very similar at all three. Also all three offer 5 year bs/ms programs.
If WPI or CWRU were significantly cheaper than RPI I’d say pick the cheapest one. But at close to the same price? RPI wins hands down with the stronger CS program. Smart students, grads come out knowing their stuff and it’s highly respected in the industry (for CS & engineering).
The only reason I’d pick CW over RPI is if 1) you really want to live in a big city, or 2) you want to focus more on humanities and not be in such a tech-oriented school.
I can’t see any reason to pick WPI over RPI.
My son applied to and was accepted to all three. He was a Rensselaer Medalist. RPI has the stronger reputation, but it was actually the school that we were least impressed with. The campus is sort of blah, with the exception of EMPAC, which is one of the coolest buildings in the world. Troy is also not terribly inspiring. Most telling though was the students didn’t seem all that happy. We talked to several of them and all they had to offer as to why they chose RPI was the money. They got good merit aid. I know, it’s got a great reputation, but it didn’t translate.
Case and Cleveland were both pleasant surprises.
The winner for him, and his mom and me, was WPI. The curriculum is very innovative. The campus is cute. Worcester is ok, and improving, but it’s very close to Boston. Most importantly, the students all seemed happy. It was palpable.
He didn’t choose any of them. He ended up at Cal Poly. It was neck and neck with WPI until near the deadline.
Suffice it to say, you’ll have good opportunities if you attend anyone of them. Don’t go against what your gut tells you.
I would second that RPI has the best reputation but for student experience, WPI would be my choice. They also have a very nice introductory CS curriculum, and the hands-on curriculum and quarter system are cool features as well. In the end, grads from each will have similar opportunities. Don’t choose a marginally better school that you wouldn’t be happy at.
To be fair, WPI is similar to RPI in some ways - tech schools with disproportionate gender ratio and decently nerdy for better or worse. If those are reasons against RPI, WPI won’t fare better. Why are you inclined against RPI?
Case’s CS is a notch below these two from what I know, not in rank/prestige but in terms of teaching and classes. Very standard CS curriculum you’ll find all over. WPI and RPI both offer unique features that set them apart.
We think WPI is doing things in a special way. We loved the vibe and the positivity on campus. RPI and Case are also very good. We especially know Case well, and it is in a great part of Cleveland. Classes are good, and research opportunities can be terrific. I think the WPI campus vibe is the difference though. That is very important. But go with what you feel. Good luck!