<p>My S has been accepted at both and will be attending the Admitted Students Open Houses at both. We understand the obvious differences between the two (size, location, etc.) but I'm wondering if anyone has insight into the not-so-obvious differences. I have the books with the rankings, so I see those differences. But those numbers can be manipulated and don't tell the whole picture. Anyone have anymore insight? Thanks!</p>
<p>I got accepted by both of them and I chose WPI. First it is much smaller, professors are really helpful and classes are small. Academically WPI is stronger, especially for engineering and it’s easier to get a well paid job once you graduate.</p>
<p>WPI is a smaller school which has Ph.D. programs in most of its majors. RIT is much larger than WPI and is more focused on undergraduates.</p>
<p>I dont think that WPI is less focused on undergraduates, because it’s one of rare school where most of the money is invested in undergraduate education. That is why WPI is ranked much better on undergraduate level than on graduate level.</p>
<p>RIT doesn’t have a Ph.D. program in most departments, and the masters programs in engineering seem to largely be geared towards undergraduates doing a 5 year BS/MS. </p>
<p>So yeah, WPI is more focused on graduate education.</p>
<p>My daughter is spending tonight in one of the dorms and will be there for the revisit programs tomorrow. Can’t wait to hear all about it.</p>
<p>@al6200
WPI is more focused on graduate education than RIT. That is true, but what I am saying is that WPI is more focused on undergraduate studies than on graduate studies. The fact that they are encouraging 5 year BS/MS is not unusual, because other universities have that too, and of course that it will be in their interest to have students that are going to undergraduate program to continue their education on WPI, after that.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say WPI is focused on grad school all that much. They only have like 100 Ph D students, and WPI’s grad program is ranked lower on grad school rankings than its undergrad program.</p>