Hey,
So here’s the thing, I’m looking to attend RPI in the fall and I’ve selected “undeclared” for my major when I was filling out the application. Before I make my final decision, I was wondering if I could take these 4 courses my first year: “some kind of history, math, chemistry, and english”. The reason I ask is because I’m planning on reapplying to the Naval Academy and those are the courses that they like to see reapplicants take. I will also be doing NROTC. I was planning to pursue majoring in math at the Naval Academy. So if I get rejected again, I would still like to pursue math at RPI. I have some other schools that have accepted me (Penn State, Northeastern, Purdue Engineering, and Boston University (but with a transfer agreement saying that they will accept me, not this year, but next year as long as I uphold above a 3.0 GPA). I want to uphold that transfer agreement with BU (non binding), but I heard that the average RPI GPA is 3.11, so I’d be cutting it close. Would it be better to just attend Penn State for one year instead of RPI? Is Penn State more conducive to my goals (NE isn’t conducive at all because I’d be abroad in the fall and after my applications I realized that I don’t want to major in engineering so Purdue is out as well)?
, Thanks
It sounds to me like you are making decisions based on too many remote variables. Do you know the likelihood of transfer admission to the Naval Academy? I imagine it is similar to the freshman admission rate. If so, I would pick the school you believe is the best fit for you to complete your college career at in case you don’t get admitted as a transfer.
Do finances play into this? Are you in state for PSU? How do the dollars compare between schools?
Well, my BG-officer for the Naval Academy told me that they look highly upon reapplicants and that I have a much better chance at getting in next year. Money isn’t an issue. Although I really don’t want to go to Penn State, I think it’s my best option for maintaining a high GPA (above 3.0 doesn’t seem hard at PSU), meeting my requirements for a definite transfer to BU and increasing my chances of admission to the USNA.
Here’s the Math course curriculum at RPI. You have 4 electives the first year so you could study the courses you mention, along with the required math ones. Plus, if you’re rejected from the Naval Academy you can keep studying math at RPI. http://catalog.rpi.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=15&poid=3419&returnto=365 I’d go that route if I were you.
RPI is tough, but having a GPA above 3 isn’t hard if you apply yourself, and freshman year is the easiest 
Ok, thank you for the info, I will consider it.