<p>I was actually on CC about a year ago trying to decide which colleges to go to and everything and many of the posts that I found helpful to me were written by students who had been in my footsteps and were already at the college. I haven't been on CC since literally a year ago and I had to make a new account because I lost my info but I'm here again and would like to offer any advice I can to students and parents alike regarding RPI, college decisions, anything really.</p>
<p>Some info about me. I'm a rising sophomore girl, studying IT and Business, part of a few clubs, hold leadership positions, and really happy I chose RPI as my school. I'm actually really looking forward to the end of summer so I can be back on campus with my friends again, believe it or not.</p>
<p>Again, all questions welcome.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>MODERATOR'S NOTE: Anyone is free to ask or answer questions in this thread.</p>
<p>Would you suggest purchasing the recommended laptop? Or is it not a big deal and more financial wise to bring my own, cheaper, comparable laptop?</p>
<p>If you’re tight on money or already have a laptop that you can work with and is capable of downloading the various types of software you might need, I would highly suggest you DON’T get the laptop package.</p>
<p>The reason why many people get it is because the majority of engineering majors use many programs that come pre-installed, thus saving you a lot of trouble and time trying to download it yourself. In addition, the 4-year warranty and loaner laptop is very appealing to some; with some people even purposely breaking their laptop prior to graduation so that they get a new laptop right before they leave RPI.</p>
<p>I’m not quite sure on all the tech specifics but most laptops nowadays are capable of anything that the school Lenovos can do. I wouldn’t get it just for whatever specs they have. I didn’t get it because I already had a laptop. </p>
<p>In short, if you’re an engineering major, and think it’s nice to have the loaner laptop deal and the warranty, and of course, if you’re not short on cash, it’s a worthy investment. But, if you’re not an engineering major and don’t need all those packages or if you already have your own and don’t mind spending some downloading them, it is definitely okay not to get it. </p>
<p>Like I said, I’m personally not in it, but I have a couple friends who are and from what I’ve heard, it’s really great. To be honest, I don’t think there’s really any RPI Engineering program that’s bad. Boeing is a huge company around here though and many graduates go on to work for them. And for anyone else who reads this, they accept a ton of other majors as well, including business and IT for those wondering. </p>
<p>If you haven’t already explored the website, I’d recommend you do that for more information. Sorry that I can’t explain in full detail about the program. </p>
<p>There are easy ones and hard ones. It really depends on which ones you take and which major you are. The classes are bearable and you can get a good grade if you’re willing to put down the time and energy; same with any other school. There are a few classes that I’d recommend you take elsewhere since grades tend to be naturally low. C’s in Physics are very common. People like to take the science courses at a local community college because it’s just easier and you can transfer them over anyway.</p>
<p>I don’t know if you’ve heard, but RPI is on the top of the list of schools that are hardest to get an A in. Granted, like I said, if you’re willing to put down the time and energy, you’ll do well. Just don’t come in with the expectation that you’ll get A’s here if you got A’s in high school; it’s totally different. </p>
<p>No, it’s not as dangerous as everyone makes it out to be, but at night, I would say stick to campus. If you do want to go down and explore, they have a lot of good shops, and a wicked good froyo place, but it’s best to go in the morning and with a few friends as well. I don’t think you really have a need to go down at night anyway.</p>
<p>The total amount of financial aid I got (including loans), is about half the total cost. So essentially a half-ride pretty much. Some were merit-based, some need-based.</p>
<p>Do you know anything about the music ensembles (especially the orchestra)? Having a good music performance side is extremely important to me, but RPI doesn’t even seem to have a music department. So is the orchestra student-run, and does it have resources like repertoire and equipment that would render it adequate? It’s okay if you don’t know though. I just visited RPI and I really like it so it would be disappointing to not have decent ensembles. </p>
<p>I would’ve actually joined the orchestra except where they meet is all the way across campus at EMPAC and also because they meet at night at 6PM if I’m correct and I had other commitments at that time. I don’t know how often they meet though. From what I hear, it’s pretty good. I have one or two friends who are in it and I regularly see them carrying their cellos and going to practices. I think they also have auditions so it’s competitive too. And just like regular orchestras, they also have concerts every once in a while. It’s not student-run in the sense that they actually have a conductor and people who try and get concerts together and get everyone to play correctly and as a group. It’s not just a bunch of students who get together at some place and play music; definitely not. As for equipment or repertoire, I’m not exactly sure.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the reply! I did try to check the orchestra page but it’s down or something so I wasn’t sure. I was really impressed by EMPAC and its possibilities. Again, thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Any observations on the physics dept? My son is looking into a physics degree and already has taken physics and math classes at the local U. He particularly needs a program with plenty if higher level physics classes and one that offers opportunities for ug research/participation. I know it isn’t your dept but if you have any input on the dept, id be glad to hear it.</p>
<p>The thing you’ll hear from a lot of RPI students is that Physics at RPI is a killer class. And that’s Physics I I’m talking about. I’m sure Physics II is a lot harder. Physics and Biology are required for a lot of majors here and even for my major, I have to take a Biology and Physics elective. The complaint that I’ve heard from my friends and a lot of others around campus is that the class is very hard. C’s in Physics I and I’m assuming Physics II are too common. So if you son would do well in a higher level Physics class, I’m sure he’ll do just fine in Physics I and may be able to pull off the A that many here can’t do, which will do wonders for his GPA. I’m sure he’ll be just fine with the classes that we have here and I’m sure beyond Physics I and II, there are classes that will challenge him as well. As for research, I’m not quite sure, I haven’t heard a lot of people go into Physics research, but overall, there is a lot of opportunity for research with professors. Just let him ask around, ask his professors, see if they need any help and even if they don’t, they can probably refer him to someone who needs a helping hand during the school-year or summer as well.</p>
<p>Hi, a couple of questions:
How do female students feel about the male-female ratio? what is it like for you with so many more guys?
And it sounds like grade deflation is an issue?</p>
<p>Personally, I don’t think it’s all that bad and I don’t feel any negativity from it. Sometimes it’s a little weird sitting in class with a sea of guy heads in front of you or just walking around seeing guys everywhere but I don’t mind. After all, we’re all there to learn. Also, I found dating to be a lot easier though turning down people also happens a lot more often and felt awkward to me at first because I’ve never dealt with something like that at HS, where the ratio was more 1:1. Overall, it’s not an issue to me.</p>
<p>And yeah, RPI is always on the list of schools that are the hardest to get an A in. It’s just something you gotta know and gotta deal with. And just try to work it out, do your homework, don’t lag behind, and you’ll still pull off a good GPA. </p>
<p>More guys than girls happens in many engineering classes, no matter the university.</p>
<p>Also, physics is very hard at many schools as well - my best friend was Dean’s List but was getting an F in physics and had to drop it and retake it. </p>
<p>It would be interesting to have a comparison between RPI and other engineering schools in terms of GPA. As an engineer, it seems obvious to me that LAC have higher GPAs than engineering schools.</p>
<p>Do you know how strong the alumnus connections are (would it affect my chances to get in)? I have connections with a lot of the professors in RPI as well, but I was wondering if that would help my chances at all.</p>
<p>I’m not too sure on this. I came here without knowing any professors and not having any legacy connections either. But I know legacy students definitely are helped by the fact that they are legacy students. I would think that knowing professors would definitely help as well though I’m not too sure how much it would. </p>