Clarkson VS. RIT

[John Gutmann]

So here is my situation-
I have started to think about my life, and it isn't goign the way I wanted it to. I have been making lots of mistakes that have been dramatically affecting my life and have no idea what to do about anything. It seems as though that my parents have never been involved with school at all of my life. They could careless ad just don't really seem to want anything to do with it, or me. So I was thinking about college. And it seems as though my dad has decided for me that I will attend RIT. Right now I am in my junior year of highschool, but next year for my senior year I will be going to MCC(monroe community college). I want to know about other college that I can go to to major in mechanical engineering. I was thinking maybe Clarkson becuas eit is still instate and only 4 hours away and around the same price for tuition(+ rooming either dorm or apartment). Price doesn't really matter ebcause I would mostly be paying for it anyways so I will have student loans either way. I am open to other schools, so please just give me your honest opinion on RIT or Clarkson or another school.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by sparksandtabs

So here is my situation-
I have started to think about my life, and it isn't goign the way I wanted it to. I have been making lots of mistakes that have been dramatically affecting my life and have no idea what to do about anything. It seems as though that my parents have never been involved with school at all of my life. They could careless ad just don't really seem to want anything to do with it, or me. So I was thinking about college. And it seems as though my dad has decided for me that I will attend RIT. Right now I am in my junior year of highschool, but next year for my senior year I will be going to MCC(monroe community college). I want to know about other college that I can go to to major in mechanical engineering. I was thinking maybe Clarkson becuas eit is still instate and only 4 hours away and around the same price for tuition(+ rooming either dorm or apartment). Price doesn't really matter ebcause I would mostly be paying for it anyways so I will have student loans either way. I am open to other schools, so please just give me your honest opinion on RIT or Clarkson or another school.

I don't know much about Clarkson except that 229 Division by Zero is from there but I can tell you about RIT since I went there for 14 years. It's a high level institiution with a high level pricetag and I would heavily reccomned it. Plus you can paricipate in Rochester FIRST and attend the FLR and the Rah Cha Cha Ruckus,

[Eric O]

John,

First off I want to let you know that you have some time to explore other colleges besides these two. Regardless of the school you end up deciding on you should make sure you have explored many options. You can (and probably should) apply to multiple schools and then decide which one you want to go to when you have weighed all the options (location, cost, campus life,...etc). Many times an expensive private school can end up costing the same as a public school due to scholarships and grants. Be sure to apply to any FIRST scholarship your schools have to offer.

Now to your original question. I graduated from Clarkson last year with a degree in mechanical engineering. I loved it there and thought it was a great school. I also know people who went to RIT and loved it there. I think that both would give you a great education and a good start to your career.

You should go visit these schools because it gives you a better sense of environment. I also know that 340 has some great mentors who have now worked with you on a FIRST team and should be able to answer some more of your questions about colleges that suit you. I wish you luck on your college search as it is a stressful but rewarding process.

[Conor Ryan]

I visited both schools over spring break and they are tied as my top choices, heres what I think. Clarkson gives you a great, personalized education, its smaller, a bit more seculed (ok so it redefined middle of no where) but the students make up for it on their own. RIT is a little bigger, but I felt it to be a lot more stress and competition for ME majors (a lot of MEs switch to MechTech majors), it had a more diverse social life, but also provided a great Co-Op program.

Both of them balance out for me, I'm a junior and I'm still not sure which one I like more, guess I'll have to wait it out some more.

[Hiteak]

I have been on campus very often and will be taking classes over the summer at RIT for free (its something special they worked out with my school district). RIT has a great campus that is spread out and is always growing. The Engineering building is adding on during the next couple years. They are trying to become more involved in FIRST during the next year and are trying to get more people interested in it. They may hold a meet and greet hosted by team 1930 this year, its still in the works.

[rachakate]

I doubt very many people will have an unbiased opinion here. Kim O'Toole has gone to both, although I don't know that it's still unbiased to compare undergrad with grad.

John, I guess it depends on how far you're planning on taking it, what area of expertise you want to get into. I personally loved the RIT 5 year plan with 15 months of co-op built in. It also gives you 5 years to pay for 4 years of tuition. They also have a MS/BS program to let you get your Masters in the same amount of time that you could get a bachelors.

I'm sure you knew all this though. I'll be taking grad classes all summer if you want to sit in and see how it goes.

[Tetraman]

I've got accepted to RIT so I'm going to be a little one sided.

I have heard from many sources that their sources say clarkson doesn't retain many students, that they transfur out before graduation. I perfur RIT because of the campus. It's very nice and I enjoyed the times I was there. It's a good place for me.

[rees2001]

John,
First off. get back to work. I know you are probably reading this during MY CIM class. (starts in 10 minutes).

Now to your question. Both schools have their pro's & con's.
RIT has lots of programs & many majors. You can do the 2+2 program with MCC & many of the classes you have taken here & received credit for will transfer. At RIT you will have the oppertunity to see many people you know, stay involved with FIRST or something bigger (yes there are other programs other than FIRST). You will have a support group from our school, our team, & our mentors.

Clarkson can give you something RIT cannot. Change. You can get away & figure out who you want to be just as much as what you want to be. It is a bit colder there in the artic circle but you know how to zip up a coat. Clarkson offers programs other than FIRST also. Look into scholarships, We have had a huge number of GRR grades go to Clarkson on scholarships. Talk with some of our former students. See what they thought.

Go and visit both schools, if you need someone to take you let me know. Create an opportunity to make your own decision. You are a smart kid & should be able to figure out what you are looking for. As for clicking a box and voting on a school, that is really up to you.

Now get back to work!

[JVN]

Lots of good advice in this thread.
I agree that you will do great with either choice.

I just wanted to throw in one more:
"I had a GREAT time at Clarkson, and found it an excellent fit for me."

As always, your mileage may vary.

-JV

[John Gutmann]

I know that just asking peoples opinions isn't reall y the right way to choose a college but I wanted to start doing research also. I have more in mind then just going for my major. I want a college that will open me up to the real world, and give me good work expirience. I know that would be the case of RIT with their co-op program during summers. But I have heard alot of people talk about the colleges in different ways.

As for what I am looking for in the college totally, I am not too sure. I like RIT because it is close to home and it will cost less because I can stay at home. But I also want to be more independent. I am just not sure about clarkson, because I will be so far from home and everything in FIRST and I am used to the Rochester FIRST community with the what is it about 20 teams now compared to the one team in potsdam. I am deeply interested in mentoring teams and helping out so I don't want to leave that behind.But I also want a good education, I like the idea of a better teacher student relationship at clarkson compared to how RIT has more vast student body.

I will try talking to Kim O'Toole, I never knew she attended RIT. I am aware of clarkson because of how she always is wearing a clarkson hoodie when I see her.

[rachakate]

For anyone else interested in RIT - I'm an instructor in the Mechanical Engineering Department. I've been here as undergrad, adjunct, and graduate. I'll be here year round. If you're coming to check out the campus and want a more personal tour, just give me a holler!

I also teach the CAD course (using ProE) and you're welcome to sit in on a class.

[KenWittlief]

From the tone of your first post it sounds like you want/need to get away from home. There are many good universities outside Rochester.

Nobody has mentioned Cornell yet.

Since you are involved with FIRST you should apply for every FIRST scholarship at a university that has your major. A 100% tuition coverage scholarship levels the playing field for just about every other aspect of which school to choose, because when you dont have to pay your tuition you can either: have more free time for studies and other interests (instead of working as stockboy for 20 hrs a week at some store), or save up your money for Grad school.

[John Gutmann]

I have never really thought about a full ride scholarship that way.

How early can you apply for scholarships?

the 100% tuition doesn't cover the room and board costs right?

I know RIT hands out many 100% tuition scolarships because my friends grandmother I believe it is works in the admissions office where they handle scholarships. She said that they didn't even hand them all out this year, I don't know if this is correct. But is something like this not very well known?

[Kims Robot]

Well I figured since Kate mentioned me I should chime in It is true, I have taken "several" courses at both (ok Im two courses shy of my RIT MSEE). From what I can tell Conor has a pretty good explaination. Clarkson has a smaller but more family like feel. They are in the middle of nowhere, but I cant really remember ever being bored. You will work like crazy, but there is also plenty of fun to be had. RIT has a bit more of a city feel to me. They still have plenty of great professors, and a good education, but the quarter system and being in the city tend to spread out the students a lot more, so the atmosphere seems more school & city oriented.

The quarter system may also be something to consider. For me, its really hard to learn in such a short timeframe, and Ive found if I slip at all there is no time to catch up. That said, I know it works well for a lot of students because they can learn quickly, or if they dont "like" a class it is over much faster! I would say both have comparable co-op programs, only difference being that RIT forces you to do it as part of your requirements, whereas Clarkson has an excellent career center but you have to go to them to ask for help finding a job. For some, RIT is better because it forces, for others they like to plan on their own, in that case, Clarkson works.

Originally Posted by Tetraman

I have heard from many sources that their sources say clarkson doesn't retain many students, that they transfur out before graduation.

I wanted to talk to this statement, because it can be a bit misleading. After freshman year, Clarkson has a VERY high retention rate. In my class I only knew of a few students who left. However, where this probably does ring true is during freshman year. In your first year, Clarkson separates those who can make it from those who cant. Yes you are "just" taking physics, chem, calc etc... but with a slight twists. The tests make you think for yourself, the homework counts, the teachers will know your name (so if you dont show up for class, they know). Many kids get to Clarkson and think "Im away from my parents its PARTY time!" These are the kids who do not make it past freshman year. I knew several kids who after the first semester had 0.35 GPA's & below, and after second semester were no longer students. But every student that actually tried, made it to graduation. The teachers WONT let you fail if you are trying hard. Other students wont let you fail either.

Thats another difference I've seen in Clarkson & RIT... Clarkson suprisingly has nearly no competition. Everyone is out to help everyone else. RIT seems to have a bit more (not as bad as MIT or some of the others, but still very present). So it depends on which environment you thrive in.

And I guess that leads me to my last thought. From what I can tell, Clarkson is a lot more group oriented throughout your college career. Nearly every class stretches group projects or labs across the semester. You learn to work with people like you will in RL engineering. But RIT has a really strong senior design program that integrates you with other types of engineers to build a project. Other than that group work at RIT seems present but minimal. In about half of my classes there was a small group project/paper for the last three weeks.

For me, Clarkson was the perfect fit, but it depends on how you learn and what will help you grow. Good luck!!

[Tetraman]

Originally Posted by Kims Robot

I wanted to talk to this statement, because it can be a bit misleading. After freshman year, Clarkson has a VERY high retention rate. In my class I only knew of a few students who left. However, where this probably does ring true is during freshman year. In your first year, Clarkson separates those who can make it from those who cant. Yes you are "just" taking physics, chem, calc etc... but with a slight twists. The tests make you think for yourself, the homework counts, the teachers will know your name (so if you dont show up for class, they know). Many kids get to Clarkson and think "Im away from my parents its PARTY time!" These are the kids who do not make it past freshman year. I knew several kids who after the first semester had 0.35 GPA's & below, and after second semester were no longer students. But every student that actually tried, made it to graduation. The teachers WONT let you fail if you are trying hard. Other students wont let you fail either.

I only heard it as a rumor, but I get it now. Thanks for enlightening me on the subject.