<p>dadinator-
He’s interested in engineering, maybe mechanical. He thinks alternative energy, nanotech or environment might be interesting. He likes the business incubator at RPI. Got aps into several engineering schools ranging from stretches (MIT) through smaller privates, large state programs and one or two safeties. RPI has emerged as the one where strength of program plus fit seem to come together but we are all too aware of how competitive things are. We started this process over a year ago with campus visits and now have to reboot for son #2 who is a junior in HS. Will be glad when it’s all over. This is certainly a lot tougher for the kids than it was 30 years ago when applying to three schools was considered about normal and was something you didn’t begin to think about until October of senior year.</p>
<p>Well, it certainly sounds like you and your S have done your homework - starting campus visits early, a good mix of schools to apply to, etc.</p>
<p>Yes, it is extremely competitive to get into RPI nowadays. It’s more like a crap shoot to see if you get in. I remember from a year ago how shocking it was to see the scores and credentials of some of the kids who did not get in. </p>
<p>One thing that I am surprised about is that there are not a lot of posts from you on CC already.</p>
<p>Well there are a lot of recent CC / RPI posts now. Yay! Thanks to all for the very helpful input. After my son survives his finals, I will send him to this link for sure. </p>
<p>The “early warning” system sounds neat. On our summer visit, I think we were told that you can’t loose your scholarship due to low GPA (“if you are struggling in class, you already have enough stress” ), but I have not seen that in writing. </p>
<p>Per the skiing reference… may want to check on that. Can’t think of any big mountains that close to Albany.</p>
<p>they usually go to okemo or stratton, here’s the link [RPI</a> Ski & Snowboard Club](<a href=“http://skiclub.union.rpi.edu/]RPI”>http://skiclub.union.rpi.edu/)</p>
<p>Thanks for the ski info, JoshuaGuit. They are actually closer than I thought (65ish and 45ish miles). As a kid we took bus trips from Hurley NY (near Kingston - 60 miles south of Albany) to Stratton, and it seemed to take soooooo long. </p>
<p>Darn. Now I have to think that on top of sending my son across the country with living stuff and his jazz sax (and maybe “the beater sax” too)… maybe skis too 
Nah, rentals sounds like a better option.</p>
<p>“One thing that I am surprised about is that there are not a lot of posts from you on CC already”</p>
<p>Actually I have been looking at cc discussions for several months and have tried to make several posts that were evidently too long - every time I hit send, I found myself logged off. Unlike most, I have not mastered the shorthand argot of the texting classes. </p>
<p>It is surprising the RPI board has gotten quiet. There was a lot of activity earlier in the year and then it suddenly stopped in late summer even while other schools continued to have a lot of activity. I did stumble on a website called rpinsider.com that is interesting to read. It’s not the school paper nor something from administration. It’s an independent student voice that appears to be fair with useful and interesting facts. I started reading it a few months ago when there was some back and forth about whether one should refer to the school as “Rensselaer” or “RPI”. Apparently, it’s a sensitive topic for some. I’ve also learned “the Institute” is a universal term all can agree on.</p>
<p>Joshua: Thanks for the ski club link. Now is there anything similar for mountain biking? If one brought up a bike, is there secure storage in the dorm (other than one’s room)?</p>
<p>Joshua: Oh boy, Hubbell was quite interesting for Gen. Psych, wasn’t he? 
Hopefully he’ll be as interesting next semester when I take Learning with him. Apparently, that course is a lot more serious and group-oriented :O</p>
<p>Also, Mclaughlin is a very good professor; had him for Calc II last semester and thought it went very well. Now to find a good professor for multivariable…</p>
<p>I was even surprised by my Algorithms professor; Moorthy is very approachable and he really wants everyone to understand everything! Labs were nice as well with the great TAs :D</p>
<p>Any help a student needs will be answered only if the student takes the initiative to get it so there’s no problem here.</p>