Anonymous
Post 01/18/2025 18:16     Subject: Why is Rose-Hulman Ranked #1 w/ 75% acceptance but Virginia Tech is Harder to Get Into?
Anonymous wrote:Because acceptance rates are a function of how desirable a school is, not how good it is. Those are not the same thing. Many, many people would prefer Blacksburg and its environment and football games etc to Terre Haute and a college that’s 70%+ male.


Outside of sports, how is Purdue (also in Indiana) is desirable? W. Lafayette is an ugly, ugly town.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2025 15:39     Subject: Why is Rose-Hulman Ranked #1 w/ 75% acceptance but Virginia Tech is Harder to Get Into?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’ve been looking into Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, which has a 75% acceptance rate and is ranked #1 for undergraduate engineering programs. I’m confused why Virginia Tech, which has a much lower acceptance rate, isn’t ranked as high. What is Rose-Hulman doing differently? Shouldn’t Virginia Tech, being a state school, be more accessible to Virginia residents who want to study engineering or computers?




It seems crazy that Virginia Tech is so competitive while Rose-Hulman is more open, especially considering their top ranking. I’ve heard Rose-Hulman also offers excellent financial aid, which can bring costs down to in-state tuition levels. It might be worth looking into for my kid instead of Tech.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rosehulman-institute-of-technology-1830/overall-rankings

Does anyone else have thoughts on this? Should Virginia Tech reconsider their admissions process to better serve Virginia residents interested in STEM fields?


Terre Haute, IN is a real tough sell. Plus it's only number one for schools that do not award doctorates. Research matters.

For engineering? No not really at all

By junior and senior years, yes it does. Also, Rose Hulman has like 800 undergrads---so there is no way their lab equipment and experience is the same as a somewhat larger school.


Rose has 2200 students. Not 800. Kids who get into MIT are not choosing Rose. More likely it’s kids choosing Rose over other very strong but not t10 schools. We visited Rose in March and their facilities and labs are top notch. Kid chose Rose over Mines because he liked the culture of the school more.


We’re going to go look at both over spring break. However I think DD is going to end up at Mines. She loves snowboarding.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2025 10:37     Subject: Why is Rose-Hulman Ranked #1 w/ 75% acceptance but Virginia Tech is Harder to Get Into?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’ve been looking into Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, which has a 75% acceptance rate and is ranked #1 for undergraduate engineering programs. I’m confused why Virginia Tech, which has a much lower acceptance rate, isn’t ranked as high. What is Rose-Hulman doing differently? Shouldn’t Virginia Tech, being a state school, be more accessible to Virginia residents who want to study engineering or computers?




It seems crazy that Virginia Tech is so competitive while Rose-Hulman is more open, especially considering their top ranking. I’ve heard Rose-Hulman also offers excellent financial aid, which can bring costs down to in-state tuition levels. It might be worth looking into for my kid instead of Tech.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rosehulman-institute-of-technology-1830/overall-rankings

Does anyone else have thoughts on this? Should Virginia Tech reconsider their admissions process to better serve Virginia residents interested in STEM fields?


Terre Haute, IN is a real tough sell. Plus it's only number one for schools that do not award doctorates. Research matters.

For engineering? No not really at all

By junior and senior years, yes it does. Also, Rose Hulman has like 800 undergrads---so there is no way their lab equipment and experience is the same as a somewhat larger school.


Rose has 2200 students. Not 800. Kids who get into MIT are not choosing Rose. More likely it’s kids choosing Rose over other very strong but not t10 schools. We visited Rose in March and their facilities and labs are top notch. Kid chose Rose over Mines because he liked the culture of the school more.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2025 09:14     Subject: Why is Rose-Hulman Ranked #1 w/ 75% acceptance but Virginia Tech is Harder to Get Into?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Few outside the Mid-Atlantic really know about it.


Are you sure about that? I've met Ivy grads from outside the area that thought GMU was a academically stronger school than VA Tech. UVA and VA Tech are seen as glorified State Schools to the people in Cali - they look it as we see Texas A&M. Probably a good school but nothing impressive.

Stop your GMU bashing - its an under rated school. mainly because it lacks a nationally ranked football team.




I have no connection to UVA, but I disagree about UVA's perception in California. I grew up in California and was aware that UVA was a strong school on par with many of California's top publics. For reference, I knew very little about colleges and could not have named a Claremont school to save my life. Bashing UVA is just convenient way for many on DCUM to bash publics in general.


For someone who has both UVA and GMU on their resume neither carry hefty weight in Silicon Valley when compared to Berkeley or UCLA. Not bashing UVA just saying every state sees it differently. I consider UVA on par with the all the UCALs. People say introducing others graduated from: Berkley, UCLA, Stanford, or MIT. But for VA schools its always: graduated with a CS Degree.

All in all - I'm thankful for the GMU professors and the Co-Op program I got in DC. I still quote what the Profs taught me decades later. You are more likely employable after graduation with a few years of Co-Op. I've had friends at VA Tech that took a bit longer to find a job because they didn't have experience - they spent 4 years at a college town working at the bookstore. I spent 2 years working as a Sys Admin/Jr. Developer when I got out.

As this thread is concluding to - rankings or acceptance rates don't say the whole story. GMU President - I remember said "we will not go after US News rankings" its an expensive activity. Instead the focus is on benefiting the kids and therefore became the largest University in VA. They pay the highest salaries to their professors.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2025 08:57     Subject: Why is Rose-Hulman Ranked #1 w/ 75% acceptance but Virginia Tech is Harder to Get Into?
Self selecting outcomes. Those that apply to RH can get into all the top engineering schools but are choosing RH.

Anonymous
Post 01/18/2025 08:32     Subject: Re:Why is Rose-Hulman Ranked #1 w/ 75% acceptance but Virginia Tech is Harder to Get Into?
Anonymous wrote:Would Rose-Hulman be equivalent to Colorado School of Mines?


Yes.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2025 08:08     Subject: Why is Rose-Hulman Ranked #1 w/ 75% acceptance but Virginia Tech is Harder to Get Into?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’ve been looking into Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, which has a 75% acceptance rate and is ranked #1 for undergraduate engineering programs. I’m confused why Virginia Tech, which has a much lower acceptance rate, isn’t ranked as high. What is Rose-Hulman doing differently? Shouldn’t Virginia Tech, being a state school, be more accessible to Virginia residents who want to study engineering or computers?

It seems crazy that Virginia Tech is so competitive while Rose-Hulman is more open, especially considering their top ranking. I’ve heard Rose-Hulman also offers excellent financial aid, which can bring costs down to in-state tuition levels. It might be worth looking into for my kid instead of Tech.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rosehulman-institute-of-technology-1830/overall-rankings

Does anyone else have thoughts on this? Should Virginia Tech reconsider their admissions process to better serve Virginia residents interested in STEM fields?


Terre Haute, IN is a real tough sell. Plus it's only number one for schools that do not award doctorates. Research matters.

For engineering? No not really at all

By junior and senior years, yes it does. Also, Rose Hulman has like 800 undergrads---so there is no way their lab equipment and experience is the same as a somewhat larger school.


Agree. At MIT and the ivies with engineering, the undergrads do engineering research by the end of sophomore year at the latest. Research is essential and professors and advisors say so all the time. these schools are smallish as far as E-majors (250-500 per grad year), but much bigger than RH, and far better resourced. The professors go out of their way to connect students with research if their own labs are not taking UG.


“For those pursuing advanced degrees, graduates were accepted into prestigious institutions such as Princeton, Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, Brown, Northwestern, and Cornell.”

Guess they must be doing something at RH.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2025 00:58     Subject: Why is Rose-Hulman Ranked #1 w/ 75% acceptance but Virginia Tech is Harder to Get Into?
Anonymous wrote:Terra Haute is a shithole. Not like Gary, IN but really close. People can call it quirky or a special place but the town is literally the most depressing place in a remote location. Yes Bloomington is a drive and South Bend is a drive but then you get to the town and they are vibrant and fun. If your kid wants to go there they need to be of a certain fortitude (or on meth) because that is a long 4 years

If you could at least spell it I might actually think you’ve spent time there and take your review seriously.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2025 00:51     Subject: Why is Rose-Hulman Ranked #1 w/ 75% acceptance but Virginia Tech is Harder to Get Into?
Rose is an amazing place for the kind of person who knows they want to pursue an engineering/stem education. Getting in is the easy part…staying takes work. Their labs, facilities, and resources are outstanding, class sizes small, and the kids support one another. My kid had a great four years in Terre Haute…they work very hard, but find time and places to go for fun. It is not VT, but they are not trying to be.

This came out earlier this week and speaks for itself. https://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/2025/rose-hulman-graduates-achieve-record-salaries-and-exceptional-placement-outcomes.html#:~:text=The%20Class%20of%202024%20achieved,the%20Netherlands%2C%20and%20Saudi%20Arabia.
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2025 23:24     Subject: Why is Rose-Hulman Ranked #1 w/ 75% acceptance but Virginia Tech is Harder to Get Into?
Terra Haute is a shithole. Not like Gary, IN but really close. People can call it quirky or a special place but the town is literally the most depressing place in a remote location. Yes Bloomington is a drive and South Bend is a drive but then you get to the town and they are vibrant and fun. If your kid wants to go there they need to be of a certain fortitude (or on meth) because that is a long 4 years.
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2025 23:13     Subject: Why is Rose-Hulman Ranked #1 w/ 75% acceptance but Virginia Tech is Harder to Get Into?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’ve been looking into Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, which has a 75% acceptance rate and is ranked #1 for undergraduate engineering programs. I’m confused why Virginia Tech, which has a much lower acceptance rate, isn’t ranked as high. What is Rose-Hulman doing differently? Shouldn’t Virginia Tech, being a state school, be more accessible to Virginia residents who want to study engineering or computers?

It seems crazy that Virginia Tech is so competitive while Rose-Hulman is more open, especially considering their top ranking. I’ve heard Rose-Hulman also offers excellent financial aid, which can bring costs down to in-state tuition levels. It might be worth looking into for my kid instead of Tech.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rosehulman-institute-of-technology-1830/overall-rankings

Does anyone else have thoughts on this? Should Virginia Tech reconsider their admissions process to better serve Virginia residents interested in STEM fields?


Terre Haute, IN is a real tough sell. Plus it's only number one for schools that do not award doctorates. Research matters.

For engineering? No not really at all

By junior and senior years, yes it does. Also, Rose Hulman has like 800 undergrads---so there is no way their lab equipment and experience is the same as a somewhat larger school.


Agree. At MIT and the ivies with engineering, the undergrads do engineering research by the end of sophomore year at the latest. Research is essential and professors and advisors say so all the time. these schools are smallish as far as E-majors (250-500 per grad year), but much bigger than RH, and far better resourced. The professors go out of their way to connect students with research if their own labs are not taking UG.
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2025 23:06     Subject: Why is Rose-Hulman Ranked #1 w/ 75% acceptance but Virginia Tech is Harder to Get Into?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Because US News is a joke?

Supply/demand tells you all that you need to know as to how the public views particular schools.

UC Merced is basically a top 50 school according to US News.

Its 25% SAT score (last reported):
990

Let that sink in. A 990 on the SAT.


+1

US News gives a wrong idea to people who are not informed. Ignorant people believe what they see without considering the context or digging into the methodology.


+100