<p>Hello everyone,
So from my ten schools I applied to, this is what I've narrowed down to. All offered me a similar amount of money but Case offered me the most with an extra 10,000 scholarship for a robotics program I do.</p>
<p>My main concern is the legitimacy of the engineering program vs. the social atmosphere at all of these schools. I know they all have good programs but I feel like WPI has the strongest (with its robotics program). I'm looking into going into Mechanical Engineering but am really excited by WPI's options.</p>
<p>So, from that notion it seems I should go to WPI. However, something just feels wrong about it. I did an overnight there and I'm just not very excited to go to school there. It feels mediocre and bland. Their campus makes me feel claustrophobic and one of the things I really wanted in a college is a city setting. Worcester leaves much to be desired.</p>
<p>I had almost committed to Case Western until a few weeks ago when a friend in college now said he didn't think they were worth my time or up to the caliber of the other schools I'm looking at. I had previously been considering Carnegie Mellon but decided the cost was not worth it for an undergraduate as I'd end up with 100,000 in loans.</p>
<p>Does anyone (particularly outside the midwest) have strong feelings that Case is a good school? I think it's the most realistic option but I'm just worried that it's not good enough after hearing from a friend that a lot of people in the engineering world don't view it as highly as say WPI. I don't really think of Northeastern as being a leader in engineering either, but I could be wrong about that too. I know their coop program is top notch.</p>
<p>I know none of the schools are going to be perfect at this point, but I can't even seem to find one that I'm happy with.</p>
<p>Yes, we thought Case was a strong engineering school. I applied there myself for Engineering when I was a hs student in NY. Colorado_son applied a few years ago, also for Engineering. We were impressed when we toured. You’d definitely get City with Case. </p>
<p>Northeastern has a superb co-op (required) program. We heard about 1/3 of Case Engineering students do co-ops. </p>
<p>What I’ve read about WPI impresses me. Ditto for the grads I’ve met.</p>
<p>Sorry - don’t know much about Drexel. Per CC threads, it seems like a good school. </p>
<p>Yes, CMU has a slight edge for reputation. But it is NOT worth $100 of debt. Good luck. You have some fine choices.</p>
<p>I know two faculty members at my university who studied at Case and were quite happy there. It has an ABET accredited engineering program and it is a Ph.D. granting institution. Northeastern and Drexel (and WPI) also have good, accredited engineering programs so you won’t go wrong with any of them.</p>
<p>Your choice should be based on whether you like the school and environment and if you can make it work financially. Decide based on these criteria and don’t worry so much about the rankings (which are flawed anyways). Once you have made a choice then go there and don’t worry.</p>
<p>I’m partial to WPI since my son goes there but…</p>
<p>Your schools are all very good, though I know less about Drexel.
If you feel that WPI is too small for you, then you should go with your gut reaction and choose one of the other schools on your list since they are all very good. My son really liked the size of WPI, he thought it was “cozy” though he also loved Cornell which has a HUGE campus. He also liked the students at WPI who he describes as “happy nerds” and the project-based curriculum and travel abroad options.</p>
<p>My opinion is that Case is a better overall school than NEU, but I would probably choose NEU over Case because the location is better. I think Boston has more to offer college students, and that everything is closer and more accessible. But don’t go to NEU if you aren’t interested in the co-op program since it is mandatory (double-check that though).</p>
<p>Take another look at the key differences between their academic programs and then factor in your other preferences (bigger campus, better city).
Good luck, and remember these are all good choices.</p>
but…</p>