Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
Needham, MA, USA

Reviews

Franklin W Olin College of Engineering

Anonymous from California

a current student here
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Olin has a very positive and unique environment. The college encourages students to experiment and pursue their interests by providing resources and help from faculty. Olin is also very small, so you get to know everyone quickly.
Tips for prospective students
Please visit Olin before applying to see if your personality will fit well with the community. Even though Olin is very open and accepting, the approach for academics and culture may not suit everyone.
Academic Rigor
Courses can be very challenging and may require lots of hours of work outside of class. Many classes also require group work so students can learn to work as a team, like for projects in the real world.
Dorm Life
Top notch dorms. Some compare it to hotels.
Food and Dining
Well-prepared meals. Some variety. Also options to eat at Babson or Wellesley College dining halls.
What to do for fun
Sports and working out. Exploring Boston, Needham and Wellesley. Hanging out with others. Olin provides some equipment and games to students. Student organizations often have events or activities.
Greek Life
none
Campus Safety
Campus police, RA's, and student life facility are very helpful.

Michelle from Towaco, NJ

researching this school
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
olin is for engineers who want to change the world.
Tips for prospective students
they really like first tech challenge and first robotics challenge students.
Academic Rigor
very high and different from standard college practice of lecture and exam. there are many projects and high student involvement.
Dorm Life
very small campus. students share close interests, so become friends quickly. two people to a room.
Food and Dining
i haven't attended this school yet, but the cafeteria is very nice looking and there is a meal plan that lets you eat at either olin or babson (limited number of times on the babson campus).
What to do for fun
ultimate frisbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Bang for the buck
really expensive, but gives you $20,000 right off the bat. teachers seem enthusiastic, but i haven't attended this school yet, so i can't give an idea of how well this school operates.
Great for these types of students
engineers.
mathematicians.
problem-solvers.
Clubs and Activities
small college, so doesn't have many clubs. has access to babson facilities though, so the fields and rinks there can be used. encourages volunteering.
Greek Life
nonexistent.
Campus Safety
this college is very removed from its surroundings. barely need to go outside in order to go around the campus.

Shruti from India

a current student here
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
LESS CROWD - MORE ATTENTION - 9:1 TEACHER - STUDENT
HARD WORKING STUDENTS CAN ACHIEVE A LOT
SOBER CROWD
Tips for prospective students
A VERY GOOD COLLEGE FOR THE HARDWORKING, INTELLIGENT STUDENTS. SMALL CROWD HENCE A LOT OF ATTENTION FROM TEACHERS. SOBER CROWD HENCE LESS ISSUES. LEAST BOTHERED ABOUT DRESSING AND OTHER EXTRA ACTIVITIES. MORE OF PROJECT BASED STUDIES HENCE MORE OPEN FOR CO-OPERATIVE WORLD. PRINCETON REVIEW HAS GIVEN ALMOST 2ND RANK THIS YEAR FOR THIS COLLEGE FOR STUDIES
Academic Rigor
GREAT FUN, LOTS OF PROECT WORK, YOU NEED TO BE VERY HARD WORKING. A LOT OF HOME WORK, ASSIGNMENTS...
Dorm Life
VERY GOOD, SAFE PLACE, STUDENTS ARE FRIENDLY
Food and Dining
VERY GOOD, ANOTHER OPTION AT BABSON. LESS OPTION FOR VEGETARIAN FOOD. FRUITS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHT. ALWAYS WE GET FRESH FOOD.
What to do for fun
ICE SKATING, FRISBEES, FOODBALL, DANCING, AND OF COURSE A LOT OF PROJECT WORK ETC. LESS PARTYING...
Bang for the buck
A BIT COSTLY, BEING INTERNATIONAL STUDENT LESS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WE RECEIVE. THOUGH COLLEGE IS GIVING 50% FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ON TUITION FEE, TOAL EXPENSE COULD FETCH UPTO US$ 160,000 OVER A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS.
Great for these types of students
HARD WORKING, STUDIUS, INTELLIGENT
Clubs and Activities
ICE SKATING, FOOTBALL, FRISBEES, DANCING
Campus Safety
VERY GOOD, A BABSON POLICE KEEP PATROLLING, BUT I FEEL A LOT OF SAFETY HERE.

Jake

researching this school
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Olin is a VERY small engineering school. They are very project-oriented and have a different approach to engineering education, and are getting good results. With only approximately 350 students, there's no way people aren't going to know you.
Tips for prospective students
Visit campus to see if it is for you. Campus consists of exactly five buildings.
Academic Rigor
Highly collaborative, project-based learning environment. Failure is inevitable, but you're judged on your process and not the outcome. Classes can be taken at Babson (next door) and Wellesley (a couple miles away).
Dorm Life
Very nice dorms, as everything is new. Rooms are big.
Bang for the buck
If you can get in, Olin gives a half-tuition scholarship to every enrolled student.
Great for these types of students
Adventurous, collaborative, entrepreneurial.
Greek Life
No Greek life on campus.

Sophia from Miami, FL

accepted here and planning to attend soon
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
I am so excited to be attending Olin in the fall. The curriculum is so different and allows for people with different learning styles to learn. I know that I am going to learn a lot.
Will enjoy being here
When I went to visit, the people were so nice. The people and environment were completely different from what you would expect from an engineering school.