ELorax

I'm pretty lucky in that I got into two great schools, but I'm having an awful time deciding. So...

UVA: I was accepted to the Rodman Scholars (UVA's honors engineering program) so I get perks like early registration for classes, special dorms with the humanities honors students and other Rodmans, and free tutiton for all four years. I'm not really sure how prestigious the program is, or how much it matters, but the extra attention can't hurt. UVA also has a program in ChemE, the engineering field I'm very, very partially leaning towards. I really liked chemistry, and I was pretty good at it so... ChemE seemed like a logical choice. UVA also provides more opportunities for the humanities side of me--I could double major in Spanish there (I already have some college credit in Spanish), and there'd be lots of choice in classes. Also, I could maybe live in the Spanish house while I was there.

Olin: Attractive because of its totally unique approach, and I think the hands-on, project based learning really suits my style. I loved the campus, the professors, and the students both times I visited. The senior capstone project seems like a really awsome opportunity, and and excellent thing to have on a resume. Also, I like the culture of trust at Olin--students have keys to all the labs and the academic center, so they can work when they want. However, Olin only has a 'concentration' in ChemE, so I'd have to major in ECE or MechE, and then do ChemE in grad school (is that possible, even?). It would be harder for me to take Spanish classes, because I'd have to cross register to do it, and I could run into scheduling conflicts between Olin classes (which probably don't have a ton of sections) and courses on the other campuses. Also, running back and forth would probably be tiring/time consuming/stressful.

I'd appreciate general thoughts, commentary on the programs at either school, or any suggestions as to what else I should consider.

stevedad

Although UVA is a fantastic school, Olin is unique. The student body is unmatchable and would provide a host of benefits. The small size and collegiality offer benefits that you can't find at a larger school.

As long as you KNOW that you want to do engineering . . . . And are comfortable with a quirky, somewhat narrow focus.

My prejudice: Although he didn't make the cut at Olin, S1 is a frosh at Mudd, which is quite similar to Olin in many ways. He has found the trust-intensive, small community of brilliant kids to be fantastic and has not regretted turning down a much higher profile research university for it.

Good luck with your choice. Realistically, you will end up making a good decision no matter which way you go.

furyshade

i can't imagine there is any reason to pass up olin, on top of the fact that it is filled with brilliant people and will provide a great community and education, i can't imagine there is a grad school that could deny an olin student unless you really screw up.

ken285

Olin is a great school, but how interested are you in mechE or EE? And are you sure there's a chemical engineering concentration? I don't see it listed...

Nobody will dispute that Olin is one of the best, but make sure it's a good fit for you first.

tomboy

I'm an Olin kid who turned UVa down.

Olin has general engineering with a ChemE concentration, so no MechE, or ECE stuff if you go that way. one of my friends is the first person to pull this off and she's loving it.

But I'll echo the others. Pick a school based on fit. I had no questions that I fit here better than anywhere else.