<p>What are your other interests? Which school fits you best?</p>
<p>I’ve always heard good things about RHIT. It’s a smaller school than the others but that’s not necessarily a bad thing- depends on what you’re looking for in an undergrad pgm. </p>
<p>My son was a Rensallaer Medalist (would receive a large merit award at RPI). He felt RPI was very one dimensional (too tech). We know kids who go to RPI. Some like it, some don’t (one transferred). The Rensallaer Medalist from our other HS went there this yr, as did her father. Many would say Troy is not in the best of areas, but Rochester and Worchester aren’t high on everyone’s list either.</p>
<p>RIT is a tech school but like CMU, it has a school of Design so there are many types of students on campus. SATs are a bit lower also, because portfolios are more important than essays in admittance to the Design school). RIT doesn’t seem as
big a school as it is on paper. Like RPI, there’s not a lot of school spirit (compared to Penn St type schools), but RIT’s hockey team (Div 1) is doing well and the games are sold out. My DD is in the BFA design program but has engineering friends. The engineering program is demanding but not all kids are equipped to work on the high level the major demands (entry requirements aren’t as strict as at other schools). The weaker students have to step up or they fail out. The stronger students are challenged. Classes are on the small side. For instance, calc classes are capped at 20 students and taught by professors. Another thing to consider is RIT is on a qtr system, which means an intense pace for 10 weeks, then you get a week or two break before the next qtr begins so picture HS marking periods with a week or two vacation in between. Qtrs aren’t for everyone. Coops are mandatory for engineers, I believe. My DD’s friend did one the past 2 qtrs (earning $17/hr I think & this was at the end of his 2nd yr) and he was asked to keep working there this yr, while attending school. I think many students who coop well get offered jobs and some leave school early for that reason.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about WPI. My DH is from MA and doesn’t know anyone who ever went there.</p>