We are in NOVA too and also going on April 8th.
@RightCoaster DC is a Rensselaer Medalist. He received the $25k per year for that but nothing else. I wonder if a higher % of medalists applied this year and so they have less to give all around. They raised it from $15k a few years ago- and maybe seeing a larger than expected result.
For us the numbers have to come out right or in our Net Price Calculator ballpark to make RPI work. S17 has a full scholarship from UA, a pretty good package from Tulane, and VT as his in state option. Still waiting on Rochester and WPI.
@NoVADad99 S#2 received his acceptance package but still waiting on his FA and scholarship package too. His brother received $20K (in 2015) but it still kept RPI out of play financially.
My D just got her merit award info yesterday ($21.5k/yr) and our total cost after her federal loans would be about $42k/yr. We could stretch to swing that if she falls in love when we visit, but I’m not sure it’s worth that much more than the WISE program at Stony Brook, tbh. which would cost us about 15k/yr after the merit awards she got there.
Sorry, @RightCoaster - it’s good that they were nice, but that’s still pretty poor marketing on their part, to have one representative state that virtually all domestic students get at least some merit aid, and then have the next one say, “Oops, you’re the exception - for you it’ll be $70K+!” I can’t imagine who they think is going to go for that deal, presented in that way, no matter how pleasant people are. “But congrats for getting in!” “Next!”
Son17 was comparing the school to Northeastern, also full pay. If he had received some merit from RPI, it would compensate for the lack of not being in Boston. My personal take is that both schools are of similar caliber, with Northeastern having a better locale. Son17 liked the geekier vibe at RPI, but didn’t “love” the area. it was OK though. He liked the campus though.
If paying full price, Northeastern will most likely get the nod, as it’s only 25 minutes from our house, co-op program is better, and the access to city living is right out of the door. But if 15-20K had been offered as merit at RPI it would have been strongly considered.
@aquapt agreed, weird for their rep to mention the merit during the meeting. Not only did she mention it, she stressed the point. My son and I left thinking if he got some aid it would be a great choice. He had received a really generous merit package at another tech school, so we were hoping for even 1/2 of that. But nope, zilch!
My son is a freshman at RPI now (and very happy there!) and I was afraid this year might be a little tougher for both money and admission, as a result of last year’s huge class. The admissions person might have been historically right, but wrong now as they get squeezed by their higher yields.
@RightCoaster , Northeastern is our offer-to-beat as well. In D’s case, she got a little merit from NU, but let’s just say my socks are still on. RPI’s offer was better, but NU is a better fit in a host of ways. Will have to see how it plays out. Glad your son has the option to make NU work - we may see you there. 
If you don’t get merit aid you’re in the bottom percentage of applicants by some metric. I wouldn’t take it too hard though, especially if you’re a white male applying for engineering lol. You’re literally competing with the entire world for money/admission.The school is trying to diversify and the next class has to be smaller to offset the last class which was huge so they’re being pretty stingy with aid/scholarships with many and then giving the people they want to enroll $50k+ packages. That’s at least what it seems like and was kind of expected. A lot of people that usually would’ve been accepted were also rejected which is also a combination of a lot less admitted students from the states, a lot more foreign applicants (most are smarter and pay full price/enroll more frequently), and a record application year. Also note they’ll probably admit like 6,000 kids this year to enroll between 1,300-1,500 with like 17%-20% being from outside the country, so they’re not exactly begging for people to enroll.
S17 found out last night he received the $25k/yr scholarship. So RPI stays in play!
Accepted!
32 ACT
3.6UW/3.95W
5 AP’s/honors classes all four years
Distinguished Scholar Award (12)
Varsity Swimmer (11,12)
Jazz Band (9-12)
Spanish NHS (11)
Outdoorsmen Club (9,10,11)
Lifeguard (12)
Camp counselor (9,11,12)
**Decision: Accepted **
SAT I (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): 1530, 800M, 730CR/W, No essay
ACT (breakdown): 34, (35,35,31,35)
ACT superscore (breakdown): 35 (35,35,34,35)
SAT II (subject, score): Math II 780, Physics 730
Unweighted GPA (out of 100): 90
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 20%
AP (place score in parentheses): Comp Sci (5), English Lit and Comp (4), APUSH (3)
Senior Year Course Load: AP’s [Music Theory, Calc BC, Environmental Science, Economics, English)
Common Awards (AP Scholar, honor roll, NM things, etc.): AP Scholar
How do go about asking for more scholarship?
@NoVADad99 Mail a nice, typed letter addressed by the applicant to the Admissions/Financial Aid Office explaining their unique financial situation. Just make sure you don’t seem like you’re saying you “deserve” more. Phrase it as you want to go to RPI as your first choice and you can’t afford it. Also you can include scholarship offers from equally reputable+ schools (e.g. Northeastern, MIT, Carnegie, Wesleyan, etc.) Most people forget about mail, but that’s how I got more money to come here. Alternatively, you can also come in person which is also usually very effective - I would recommend doing this after sending a letter if you live close by.
If your child has committed to rpi I would suggest joining the rpi parents group on Facebook. Tremendous amount of information.
Am i the only one who hasnt received any fin aid info yet
ACCEPTED REGULAR DECISION 2021
Unweighted GPA:3.4
Weighted GPA:4.5
SAT II’s:700 math 1 770 Spanish 700 US History
ACT:31 Composite,32 super score(27 English,31 Math,33 Science,36 Reading)
State Of Residence: FL
Male / Female: Male
Class rank: Does not rank (top 10% though)
AP’s: Human Geo, Gov, World History, European history, AB Cal,BC/AB, Stats, (Took the APUSH exam got a 4, but did not take the class) Taking Both AP Physics C exams at the end of this year.
AICE: A Lit, A Physics, A International History, AS US History, AS Math, AS General Paper, AS English, AS Spanish, AS Environmental Management, AS Thinking Skills
Extra Curriculars: Officer for Match club, part of Science Honor Society, NHS,Rho Kappa, co-head of robotics and head of History Bee team.
Senior Schedule: Culinary 4,A-International,BC Cal,AS General Paper,Office Aid,AP Stats, A-physics, AS-math
Other schools you applied for: FSU(Accepted) UCF(Accepted) FIU(Accepted) USF(Accepted)
UF: (Accepted) UM (Waitlisted)
Major/Field of Study: Electrical Engineer
S17 admitted to 6yr Law Program, but no merit scholarship offer with admittance (not qualify for financial aid). My son is already committing in his mind to schools who accepted him 2 weeks ago.
@Fraugher Sorry to hear about not being considered for financial aid. My son got a lot less than expected so I appealed it with them but they were stubborn and would not offer any additional help even with plenty of documented proofs. I believe they are over burdened by more acceptances than previous years with less available financial aid funds to give out. Trying to appeal didn’t help at all.
Has anyone from the wait list head back?