My son got 10K less than the NPC and EFC predicted. Be very aware of that. If you have very high SAT scores, that can help get you more merit aid.
Wow, this is a really comprehensive review! Thanks for being so thorough!
So I’m currently an HS Junior, and I’ll be visiting RPI on November 21st (doing the whole info. session/tour thing).
I was just wondering, how is the area? I know that I’ll get to see it when I visit, but how is the weather and look/feel of the area in general? My older sister is currently at Cornell (another shcool that I just so happen to be looking at :P), which is a very gorgeous place, but is also horribly cold a lot of the time. Is RPI generally like that?
Thanks.
Do you know much about the Computer Science Gaming degree? I’m very curious as to the success of graduates who choose this specific major? Do you know anyone who is majoring in it?
So as far as the area, I think I may of mentioned that Troy is currently enjoying a revitalization. It used to be a somewhat run down area but has recently had a lot of nice shops and restaurants open up. It is a relatively safe place but like any city will have its dangerous areas. (I may have already written a few paragraphs on this)
As far as ‘general look/feel’ it really depends on when you go. It can be a somewhat dreary place when its raining and cloudy but beautiful when sunny. I personally think the campus is very nice but it depends on what you are looking for. You will really just have to visit and decide for yourself.
The climate is probably slightly warmer then Cornell…slightly. If you aren’t used to cold weather then bring a very large jacket and you should be fine.
@KindaDisgruntled, I have not heard about a computer science gaming degree but I do know we have a computer science major and games and simulation arts and sciences (GSAS) major. I believe any of our programs involving video game design are some of the top in the nation and our comp sci program is pretty solid as well. I actually just found that GSAS has the option to do a ‘concentration’ in computer science which is probably very close to what you are looking for.
Side note: Computer science is a very cool major here because the curriculum has a lot of free electives to potentially do a double major. Like a dual major in GSAS or Cognitive Science are very doable and give you even more marketability when looking for jobs.
As far as “success of graduates in this specific major”, basically anyone who does anything involving comp sci here is given extremely high paying internships/jobs assuming they have the willingness to go out and find them and aren’t in the bottom 10% of the class.
@KindaDisgruntled Have you been to an info session there ? A student in gaming said you MUST
apply directly to the gaming major, very hard to transfer into that major if you do not start there.
Very popular. No other majors like that. I would think that since most colleges do not offer this,
you would be in a unique position when you graduate. The student in the program LOVED it, but of course
he volunteered to be a panelist for prospective students, so buyer beware.
I play a sport and am looking into RPI. Do you have enough time to study and still have a social life? thanks and great read!
To preface my answer, all athletes I know (including everyone on my team) has a pretty active social life. But it really does depend on a few variables:
- Major
- Desired GPA
- Intelligence/ ability to time manage
So if you are studying electrical or chemical engineering, trying to get a 3.5+ and don’t have great time management skills then you probably won’t have much free time.
It also depends on how you define “having a social life”, If I ask my friend who goes to Indiana University majoring in business his answer would probably be a lot different than the average engineering athlete at RPI. Assuming you are majoring in engineering, don’t expect to be going out and partying 4-5 times a week regardless of athletic status.
If you define socializing as hanging out with friends on weekends and some school nights, there is always time for that. It is all up to how much you are willing to make the time (not procrastinate on school work). My freshmen year I became friends with almost everyone in my dorm no problem.
Now my answer:
When you are in season you are so busy with practices, traveling and schoolwork that you won’t have a whole lot of time to socialize and I think this is true for almost any NCAA athlete regardless of major. Your team turns into your family and becomes your core social group, that’s why it is important when you visit (I recommend spending the night) to gauge the team culture and see if these are the kind of kids you want to be spending the next 4 years of your college career with.
Playing a sport in season will force you to learn efficient time management skills so that when you are in the off season you will feel like you have significantly more free time (too much free time imo). I personally use this free time to join a professional society (BMES) but mostly hang out with friends and party on weekends.
Another side note, my gpa during season is actually better because I am forced to organize my time. Athletes here generally get better grades than the overall student population.
Thank you. This helps a lot =D>
I would love to connect with a female student to get their perspective. My daughter applied, & she would love to speak withe a current female student.
I believe that @insanedremer has a daughter who is a freshman at RPI. My daughter was accepted ED and is going in the fall.
My daughter is a freshman at RPI and thriving well. I will text here to visit this forum and see if she will be willing to keep in touch with your daughter. She will be majoring in Chemical Engineering and works at Residence life.
Hello @Kat2013 . I’m currently a freshman at RPI, majoring in chemical engineering. If you want a girl’s perspective on the school, feel free to message me.
@Kat2013 my daughter’s a freshman at RPI, ChemE. She likes it there a lot and is happy she went there over more “prestigious” options. It’s generally a nerdy crowd (like her) though not everyone is like that (she just got a new roommate who is in a sorority and enjoys partying). She made friends right away. The academics are tough but she’s found or formed study groups to help each other out. She likes the fact that it’s relatively small, and the campus is quite nice. Troy is nice (the part near the university) but of course rather small and not much to do (my daughter is the kind to stay on campus anyway). She says she feels pretty safe. There are lots of student clubs though if you’re in ChemE the study load is heavy so there isn’t much time (she’s in 2). There are lots of activities, sports, performances (EMPAC), but she hasn’t had time to go to any. Haven’t heard any complaints about the dorms though she’s in Barton which I believe is the nicest (I haven’t been there myself). The food is average but okay. I’m pretty sure my daughter’s not on this forum but if you want I could put her in touch with yours.
@azsus2007 @UnwrittenWords @insanedreamer thank you all! I will let D16 know & will have her reach out to you with her questions. I think the biggest question is how does it feel to be in the 30% when the males on campus are 70%?
@Kat2016 I asked my D (age 17) that question once and she said it was no big deal, she hasn’t felt uncomfortable or anything. In her circle of close friends there are both guys and girls. But she’s the type of girl who enjoys hanging out with guys, gaming, etc. (not doing “girl stuff” and not into partying). She’s been invited to frat parties, went once and said it was “boring” so didn’t go again–but her roommate goes regularly, so there’s all kinds. What will your D major in?
@randomdude532 Our tour guide told us yesterday that freshmen/sophomores are not allowed to eat in the main cafeteria closest to most classes from 11:30-1pm, reserved for Sr/Jrs. Is this true? If so, I find this ridiculous with the amount of money that meal plans cost.
@insanedreamer - she is not sure if she will go with Engineering or Earth/Environmental Sciences. She also is not a girly girl (at all!) & has a close circle of guy & girls friends at HS. Not a party-er either, more of a theater, dinner party type, but does not game at all (her BF games & that is all she can take of it). When we went for a tour/info session everything the info person (basketball coach I think) said was he/his/him - so I was curious if women feel left out. It is the type of challenge D16 loves though. 
@Kat2016 sounds like she’ll fit in and do well!
@CSinPA Seating is limited at the Russel Sage Dining Hall, so only certain students are allowed to eat lunch there. It’s based on where you live, not your class year.
As it says at the school website: “Between 11:00am and 2:00pm, the Russell Sage Dining Hall is restricted to only Quad, E-Complex, North, BARH, RAHP, Stacwyck, Colonie, and Blitman Commons residents, as well as Polytech Apartments residents.”
Typically freshman will eat lunch at the Commons Dining Hall, which is nearest to most of the freshman dorms on the hill.
@CSinPA I’ll add that the Sage Dining Hall is definitely not considered the “main” dining hall. The main dining hall for freshmen is the commons. Many upperclassmen live off campus and don’t have meal plans. They will usually eat in the Student Union which has more pay as you type food.