WPI vs. Tufts for Mechanical/Robotics/Aeroastro Engineering

College Search & Selection
1

Hello, My daughter loves WPI and wants to study Aeroastro Engineering and Robotics. We think it’s a great fit, and she wants to be close to home, has a friend who is a senior there and is thriving.

However, two weeks ago she found out she got into Tufts RD (Class of 2025). She also got into RPI, Clarkson, SUNY Binghampton, UMASS Lowell, and BU with guaranteed transfer. She was deferred then rejected by MIT and rejected by Harvard.

By the way, she’s from a public school. Her SAT scores were 1390, which she submitted to some schools but not others. She has FIRST robotics experience, MIT LLRISE, Math Modeling, Varsity Tennis, theatre and music, Science Museum Internship in Astronomy, job at a local farm and is very passionate about her STEM fields.

We’re down to WPI vs. Tufts. Tufts gives no merit aide and does not have the specific Robotics and Aeroastro major she wants. Given Tufts reputation and how difficult it was for any student to get in, would we regret turning them down? She’s very clear she wants to build vehicles and robots to help with space exploration, no interest in the medical field at all.

What are your thoughts, friendly CC Universe?? :slight_smile:

2

Not even close, WPI. WPI is known for its robotics. Dig deeper you will find very few undergrad programs for robotics. WPI is one. They have also made commitments to women in tech. Reach out and look around on their website. Very hands on training.

Have no idea about either aero-astro engineering programs.

2 Likes
3

Another vote for WPI for engineering or robotics over Tufts. This is a case of strength of program trumping overall school ranking.

1 Like
4

We liked the happiness factor at Tufts and the campus, but for engineering, it didn’t even get an application from our son. He had very strong stats and would have almost certainly gotten in, but it was full pay for what was clearly an under gunned engineering program compared to the ones he applied to.

He was VERY intrigued by WPI on the other hand. He got very good money, loved the campus, town and the curriculum. Two days before the deadline, he decided on Cal Poly for ME, but it was down to the wire.

In my opinion, this is an easy decision. Go Gompei!