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[quote=Anonymous]My DS is deciding between UCONN and RPI and having a lot of trouble making a decision.

DS has mild ASD/ADHD. He is planning to study Aerospace Engineering and most of his applications were to smaller, tech-oriented schools, as at the time of application, he seemed to prefer a smaller school, plus more of the kids at those schools presented with a "nerdy" vibe as he does. Only applied to a couple of big state schools and they were reaches (Purdue, Ga Tech eg)

He was accepted to several of the tech schools (RPI, WPI, Stevens, RIT plus some safeties) and of those, liked RPI the best. But he also likes UCONN. The reason for the application to UCONN was the option of a bigger (but not huge) state school with more typical college things like good sports, better school spirit, more social, etc, and also because they have a dual degree program in Engineering and German, with a full year spent in Germany. DS has taken 4 years of German, is the only kid in his school taking the AP German exam (there is no AP German class) and really wants to go abroad to Germany and perhaps live in Europe after graduation. RPI does not offer any language courses (except Chinese), but he could still go abroad, though probably only a semester.

UCONN also has a "Beyond Access" program through their disabilities office which provides what is basically EF coaching for a fee each semester (he does not get EF coaching currently, but I think he will need it at least in the beginning, in college). He would apply to be in the Engineering Learning Community (which houses Engineering students together in a dorm). The campus is much nicer than RPI's campus.

RPI is clearly the better engineering school though. UCONN is improving, and has a decent number of Aerospace companies recruiting there because of location, but RPI has a ton of engineering electives etc. that UCONN does not have, and better access to faculty. UConn's degree is Mechanical with a concentration in Aerospace, not Aerospace specifically. DS also doesn't like that UCONN basically has no town around it. Troy isn't particularly appealing but it is an actual small city with restaurants, a downtown etc. I think he is more worried about finding "his people" at UCONN also.

He has visited both schools twice (initial tour last year, Accepted Students Day this year) and is honestly having so much trouble. If they were similar schools with just a slightly different vibe, like RPI vs. WPI, or UCONN vs. UMASS, this might be an easier decision but there are pros and cons to both.

We are OOS for UCONN, both schools are similar distance from our home. With merit, UCONN is 11K cheaper per year.

Any thoughts? Anyone's DC made (or making) a similar decision?

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