Very tough college decision for me

[JoeFahey]

The two top pick colleges that I was accepted to were Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York and Lehigh University in Bethlehem Pennsylvania. I plan to major in engineering. I was initially put on the wait list for RPI, and I had pretty much decided that I was going to Lehigh. This was not force fed to me through process of elimination, but I was happy with it. However, RPI was equally as high on my college pick list when I was applying for my colleges. I want this thread to be looked at with money out of the equation. I haven't received all of my information on this aspect from the schools yet, and this will be something that I will evaluate when all of the numbers are figured out. Here are some of my thoughts on each school:
Lehigh:
-6 hours away At first, this was an added attraction to it. I wanted to be farther away from my home to help me grow up. On the other hand, after traveling there, it really sank in that coming home for different occasions would be a huge hassle. Also, if I forget certain things, or decide to bring stuff back home, the ride makes this much less realistic.
-I love the campus. This is a big difference between the two. There is a great group of people there. They are all very well rounded, down to earth people, and I think that I could make some great friends.
-I might get into the Integrated Business and Engineering (IBE) program where I can come out with a business degree, and also get most of the credits for a degree in engineering. This is one thing that I left out. I also think that I might want to study business too. I have always been open to the idea of getting an MBA in grad school. Both schools offer opportunities to learn about business, but I believe that Lehigh is much stronger in this area, and plus, Lee Iacocca graduated from Lehigh!

RPI:
-Much closer (2 hours) This is a big deal for me now. It is far enough to be well away from my home to not rely on it, but close enough to be a convenience for getting stuff and visiting.
-The campus life seems pretty bland. I am sure many can chime in on this, but this is one of the factors that decreases my interest in it. However, I do have a few friends that graduated from my high school last year who are going there. This seems like a positive, but on the other hand, I also feel that going to school, away from home would be better with fewer people that I know so that I can grow more independently, and be forced to make new friends without relying on my old ones. What are your past experiences with going to a college with people you already know?
-Very strong academically, and has prestige. It is ranked fairly highly, and can possibly help get my foot in the door at some companies.

I know I didn't describe all of my feelings for both school with too much detail, but these are the basic facts.

Just some thinks that I am looking for on top of you advice:
-Which school stands out as being stronger academically/possessing more prestige or recognizability. I ask this because initially, my first pick was Cornell. Although I know transferring is not always a good idea unless you hate the school, I want the option to look into going to Cornell or another comparable school to transfer (although transferring seems very unlikely for me), or to go to grad school for.
-How big of an impact will this decision ultimately have? If I am not miserable at either school, will I come out basically the same person with the same opportunities?

Thank you for reading this, and I look forward to your advice. Thanks guys.

 

[JohnCU]

the smartest guy i work with went to RPI.

 

[OdiN]

Put them both in a ring and have them fight to the death.

 

[Capt Caveman]

If you're going for Engineering, then RPI. Plus, you won't have time to have a life on campus. You'll be too busy studying.

 

[BChico]

Lehigh '06 Information and Systems Engineering here. What Engineering major are you looking at?

Lehigh is very well known in the classic engineering professions as well as heavily recruited in areas outside engineering. I ended up in management consulting. IBE is a great program, do the fifth year and you end up with both degrees. Lehigh Accounting was ranked #1 this year.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Edit:
Cornell Engineering > Lehigh Engineering > RPI Engineering

 

[PowerEngineer]

I graduated from RPI many years ago (BSEE;MEEPE).

I got a great engineering education. Have always felt better prepared than my peers who attended other colleges. I imagine that campus life is still on the "bland" side; Troy absolutely sucked.

I didn't find that a degree from RPI opened a lot more doors. Seems I was always interviewing with a manager who graduated from the local state university (which in his mind was just as good).

One thing to consider is where you want to live and work. Most schools attract recruiters from nearby industries, plus you might grow some roots in the area while you're going to school. (My brother also went to RPI and never left upstate New York.)

My two cents...

 

[kranky]

Based on your description, go to RPI.

If you don't make an effort to see your old HS friends, you'll rarely see them. You'll make new friends quickly enough. You won't be relying on your old friends unless you seek them out.

And I have said this here many times before, but ATOT far, FAR overrates the "prestige" factor when looking at colleges. It just isn't that big a deal unless you're comparing Cal Tech to Hooterville Community College. Lehigh and RPI are both very well respected engineering schools. The one you choose will make no difference. Trust me.

 

[alfa147x]

Pollage!

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: kranky
Based on your description, go to RPI.

If you don't make an effort to see your old HS friends, you'll rarely see them. You'll make new friends quickly enough. You won't be relying on your old friends unless you seek them out.

And I have said this here many times before, but ATOT far, FAR overrates the "prestige" factor when looking at colleges. It just isn't that big a deal unless you're comparing Cal Tech to Hooterville Community College. Lehigh and RPI are both very well respected engineering schools. The one you choose will make no difference. Trust me.

Hooterville wins hands down. Never underestimate the Hooter Factor.

 

[BChico]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
If you're going for Engineering, then RPI. Plus, you won't have time to have a life on campus. You'll be too busy studying.

If this type of social life interests you, go to RPI, otherwise might want to head to Lehigh.

 

[Dirigible]

I went to school about 3000 miles away from home. Visited home at Christmas and two of the summers. Didn't bother me at all, but everyone's different. How often do you want to be heading home?

 

[irishScott]

Can't speak for either school, but I'm also at college about 2 hours away. It's a pretty sweet setup. Like you said, far enough away to be independent, convenient enough if you need it. That said, I'm highly independent and I never go home unless I absolutely have to, so in your case I'd choose Lehigh.

Like others have said, the "prestige" difference between these two particular schools isn't much.won't do much

If you love the campus, I've found that that makes all the difference in the world. Especially considering that the education would be roughly equivalent in your case. Besides, more girls at Lehigh.

And don't worry about friends. You'll be nervous about it initially, but I'm still friends with a lot of the people I met on my first day of college. It'll come smoothly and naturally to everyone, especially freshman year when everyone's in the same boat socially, hot chicks included. (I'm serious on that)

My verdict based on the info you provide: Better Campus + Same Education = LeHigh all the way. And 6 hours is close enough to make it home if you absolutely had to.

 

[fire400]

I say measure at the way you feel when you're on campus. Sometimes the feeling is just right.

Also, see past your schooling, where you future is going to take you with the school you're going to. Is it going to help you achieve greater things and allow you to excel in your absolute worse days? Draw a line, and step up the attitude towards things, don't just look at distance.

Good luck.

 

[mooosh]

Speaking as a Lehigh student, it shouldn't be that tough of a choice. Lehigh's held in high regards for engineering and you'll be recruited heavy coming out with a degree. The majority of your professors will also make an effort to get to know you personally, sometimes inviting you over for dinner. The social scene is also one of the perks. Its been touted as a work hard, party hard school. Very few people go home on the weekends, and there's always things to do on campus. It has a pretty active greek life, if you're interested in that. Any specific questions, just send me a PM.

 

[DaWhim]

RPI all the way.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

RPI

 

[Shawn]

I live 6 hours from home. It sucks, but I don't go home much so it's not that big of a deal. Don't let that be your deciding factor.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
If you're going for Engineering, then RPI. Plus, you won't have time to have a life on campus. You'll be too busy studying.

When I was looking at colleges in 199, I went to RPI and crossed it off the list. I have no interest in cut throat class mates that will lie to others so they get better grades.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Hooterville wins hands down. Never underestimate the Hooter Factor.

Are you kidding, Hooterville features nothing but boobs. :roll:

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Hooterville wins hands down. Never underestimate the Hooter Factor.

Are you kidding, Hooterville features nothing but boobs. :roll:

Exactly.

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: kranky
And I have said this here many times before, but ATOT far, FAR overrates the "prestige" factor when looking at colleges. It just isn't that big a deal unless you're comparing Cal Tech to Hooterville Community College. Lehigh and RPI are both very well respected engineering schools. The one you choose will make no difference. Trust me.

It's true.

And believe me, you'll love that 4 hour closer factor.

 

[QED]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Hooterville wins hands down. Never underestimate the Hooter Factor.

Are you kidding, Hooterville features nothing but boobs. :roll:

And the problem is?????????

 

[QED]

Just off the top off my head, RPI seems a tad more prestigous than Lehigh, although both are great schools. Unfortunately, you'll find all too often that where you got your degree from (and in some cases, whether you got your degree at all) makes very, very little difference out in the job market. It might open a door or two for you a tiny bit more than it would be otherwise, if you are lucky.

Go with the school that feels best to YOU, not based on relative prestige, or even how others feel. I spend my undergrad years at a school that is consistently rated as having one of the worst campus life, yet I had a blast during my time there. It is (and will be) what you make of it.

 

[Mo0o]

RPI, no question. If you want a MBA, you can always do it later and perhaps at a better school

 

[IAteYourMother]

RPI's prestige factor isn't that big i don't think.