Which has a better Mechanical Engineering Program? My daughter was accepted to both. Northeastern would be $15k cheaper. Is one respected more over the other in the Engineering world?
That choice is ALL about fit. They are both good, but VERY different. One is a project based, seven week term program. The other is a coop mandatory program. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending either. I’d choose the affordable option if it will compromise your family finances, and the school that resonates with your student if finances aren’t an issue.
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She got amazing packages at both. Northeastern would be $21k a year and WPI would be $36k. However, Northeastern guarantees the aid and merit (assuming grades are maintained) will stay the same all 4 years. She also got into honors program at NU.
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NEU comes with the benefit of income on coops too. The downside is delayed entry into the workforce and loss of that year of income. In the end it’s close to a wash.
Which one does she like?
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Both but for different reasons. She has many friends going to college in Boston next year which she likes. Two will be at MIT. She also has a twin going to NU. She likes that NU is in Boston with so much to do. I worry because NU might be a hard place for her to make connections. She loved WPI when she visited but has in her head that NU has a better engineering program. I think WPI fits her more. I just want her to have an amazing experience and enjoy school. She wants to be in the concert band as well.
I don’t thing there is a “better” between those schools, literally, probably any schools. It’s really much more about the individual’s curiosity, drive and horsepower.
Why do I say that? My son has been fortunate to work on not one, but two elite teams after his BS/MS in ME (PM me if you want details). The people around him have been educated all over the planet, including random US state schools.
She’ll be fine at either.
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As usual, I agree with everything @eyemgh has said.
I’d recommend accepted students day at both schools if you can swing it (I think WPI has at least 4 sessions). They are so different and attract different crowds, but both are excellent schools.
As for the cost difference, I believe NU only guarantees housing for 2 years. Off-campus housing in Boston is expensive and she might end up further from campus than she wants to be. WPI guarantees housing for the first year, but it is usually available for upperclassmen. Housing in Worcester near WPI is plentiful and many houses are handed down year to year.
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Yes signed up for both. She has toured so many times. We live fairly close by to both schools. I feel like her friends are influencing her decision too much right now. My husband did his Masters in Engineering at NU and is really trying to stay neutral. He actually loves WPI for her.
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One thing I’ll note about NU is that if, like many engineers, she decides to pivot out, NU will offer more choices. Engineering is the most changed major.
I do think the size, class schedule, location, and money are the differences.
I wouldn’t assume one is better than the other and frankly in MechE ranking doesn’t matter - even to unranked schools. But these are both top level.
She will be somewhere four years so may be best for her to decide assuming affordability.
You also might look at career data. I linked for you. I put wpi to mechE but you may need to reset the tableau if it doesn’t open to it. For NU, you’ll need to ask for more detail. Theirs is not in depth.
Good luck.
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Super interesting links. My husband works for one of the major employers and has worked for 2 of the others as well. Hoping he can help her out eventually with coops or internships. Thank you for the links.
I have another college student at Purdue with one year to go in Chemical Engineering. He had enough AP and college credits to shave off a year. I wonder how WPI and Nu compare in taking AP credits.
Here’s a sheet for each but both my kids - one engineering - had 30+ credits. And still look four years so yours is amazing to shave a year.
My other a poli sci but we found out some classes counted for the same credits. I think 30 got her 9.
Anyway hopefully these help.
As for jobs, you can find anywhere -my son, school in the south, had an offer from an aero company in southern mass you know very well - found the listing on indeed and applied on the company website. It seems like yours wants to be in New England but no matter what she decides, she’ll find a job - via the school or on her own.
Good luck
https://www.wpi.edu/offices/registrar/policies-procedures/ap-credit
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The 3 classes per 7 week term at WPI are a
perfect fit for my son, but not everyone thrives with that system. Also, there are A LOT more men than women, especially this year’s freshman class, if that matters.
I do think there is pretty strong community at WPI. Food and housing are so-so, but probably about average for college from what I gather.
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WPI may come back with additional money. Especially if they are trying to recruit additional females. She has until May 1 to commit, so plenty of time to consider all of the options.
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How do we ask for money? Should she just email admissions?
Just let them know what NEU offered and ask if they will improve their offer.
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D21 was sent an update with an offer of additional merit in April. It was only a few thousand more and at that point they did not offer the major she wanted.
WPI notoriously says they do not match other offers, so mentioning NEU will not help.
I do think it can be worth reaching out and asking if more merit or aid is possible. If asked by admissions at the accepted student days, she can be clear cost is a factor with a twin starting at the same time.
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Thank you again for the links. My son at Purdue had 50 plus credits somehow. I don’t even know. But, Purdue was a very easy process to get the credits. It looks like my daughter would get credit for all her first year Chemistry, Physics, Math and English classes. However, I told her I think she should take Calc 3 at a university level versus the community college class she took. My son keeps telling her it is a super hard class.
So much for her to think about and I am sharing all of this info with her. She is not on social type media at all.
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They gave a decent amount but I worry it will lessen after my oldest graduates. NEU does not change the grant money.
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You didn’t ask, but WPI has great projects: study abroad IQP and senior MQP, where you can work with a company (and usually get a job offer after graduation).
I’m a WPI alum, with a Jr niece there now.
Fantastic ME program.
My IQP was in Thailand; my niece is going to Greece next term; roommates did IQP in Ireland, Puerto Rico, etc.
I interned with the company that I did my MQP the summer before senior year, and they offered my team partner and I full-time jobs after our MQP completion.
You can do co-op at WPI (my roommate did one).
While co-ops are helpful in getting jobs, so are summer internships. So as long as you have applicable work experience, you can get a job after graduation.
The Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) is one of the most distinctive elements of the WPI Plan and WPI’s signature project-based curriculum, giving every WPI student the experience of working in interdisciplinary teams to solve a problem or need that lies at the intersection of science and society.
Good luck!
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All students at Northeastern can complete their degrees in 4 years with two 6-month coop periods. This would entail doing one or two summer sessions. AP credits would make the four-year plan easier to do.
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