<p>My son was accepted to both rpi and stevens scholars and is trying to decide between the two. It's so close he's comparing the mascots to decide! Does anyone have any information about the scholars program at Stevens? I'm wondering if the personalized attention that they speak of is really the case. Also, my son is into music - listening and playing. Does either school have an edge in arts on campus? Thanks!</p>
<p>RPI has a huge new art center. [The</a> Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media & Performing Arts Center - Troy, NY USA](<a href=“http://empac.rpi.edu/]The”>http://empac.rpi.edu/)</p>
<p>It’s always been my impression that RPI was a much stronger school. (Based on SAT scores and other stats, not on personal knowledge of both schools.) I was quite impressed with RPI when my older son applied. The biggest disadvantage is its location in Troy.</p>
<p>Thanks - the new arts center at RPI is beautiful - we were given the impression it is underused, but perhaps that’s only because it is so new. Troy is probably the one disadvantage that is holding up the decision. We plan to visit again.</p>
<p>I was unfamiliar with Stevens so I had a look at their website - the stuff there sounds pretty good and their coop and internship approach sounds attractive.</p>
<p>That said, I think that the name brand of RPI is stronger than Stevens nationally so my first inclination would be to go with RPI.</p>
<p>What is his intended major?</p>
<p>Stevens has had some major financial woes recently. There is tons of info about this if you google around, here is one example: [Stevens</a> Institute of Technology - Page 1](<a href=“http://www.edmecka.com/categories/stevens-institute-of-technology.html]Stevens”>http://www.edmecka.com/categories/stevens-institute-of-technology.html) </p>
<p>Maybe everything has been resolved by now, but it is worth looking into.</p>
<p>I went to RPI - Troy is not that bad. Especially if you are comparing it to Hoboken.</p>
<p>Thanks - he’s undeclared engineering, although he might be leaning towards electrical or civil.</p>
<p>Thanks so much - I will look into it.</p>
<p>IMO, RPI has a much stronger national reputation than Stevens. Living in NJ, Stevens doesn’t get much press. D1 initially considered engineering, so we toured RPI (which she loved) and Stevens wasn’t even on her radar. I can’t say kids from her HS see it as anything other than a safety.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about Stevens. But I’m under the impression there is not much campus life.</p>
<p>We visited RPI, and I was very impressed. My geeky son is an avid musician too (piano, sax, composing), and I felt RPI would have a lot to offer him. I think they were building more dorms to allow more students to stay on campus (expensive, but convenient).</p>
<p>I’d never heard of Stevens until my D got recruited to swim there. My brother owns a tech company. He didn’t know much of the school, but he was told that after MIT if he ever got a Stevens grad to snap them up. I told the coach that her SAT wasn’t near what was required, but he said that that wouldn’t matter as much as the interview. It was the only school she had to interview for, out of 20!. She did okay, I guess, as she was accepted. They are expanding their programs and now have a law program which she was accepted to and it would have been 3 yrs there and 3 yrs at NY Law with NO LSAT! A little too expensive though. Campus is small, but a beautiful view of NYC. Hoboken has bounced back, they have a great St. Pat’s from what I understand and you’re only a short train ride from the center of the world, NYC.</p>
<p>decisiontimemom - congrats on having two solid choices. I know a few people who went to Stevens so I have strong feelings about their programs. Stevens has strong reputation in the corporate world, better career stats and stronger co-op. People talk about reputation, I looked at both sites RPI '10 graduating class 79% placed $57.5K starting salary, Stevens '10 class 95% place $59.7K. The scholars program from what my friend says is great because kids do research and get room covered over the summer + stipend. I have been impressed with the quality of graduates that I see. I been to Troy and live near Hoboken and it is better than Troy by a mile. Stevens also has the BE degree which provides more general engineering as well as the major. I think both are closer than you think and if co-op is a deciding factor than edge to Stevens. Good luck!</p>
<p>RPI has a better reputation and stronger academically. Stevens is better known in the industry and their graduates are very well regarded because of a strong fundamental in engineering. Steven brags about their high percentage of undergraduates getting jobs. I graduated from Stevens in the late 70s and 97% of my class either got jobs or went to graduate school. Exactly 50% of my freshman class graduated. The remaining either transferred or dropped out. That is why Stevens has a good reputation that even if you are at the bottom of your graduating class, you are the top 50% of your freshman class and very capable of handling the engineering disclipne. </p>
<p>Most of the students are from NJ or NY. The campus is very much deserted on weekends. (unless thing have changed). Advantage of Stevens is just across the river from NYC and lots to do. I dont know that RPI is any better. My brother went to SUNY @ Albany and said many of the RPI students hang out at Albany on Fri and weekends.</p>
<p>Sorry that I can’t offer any opinion on RPI, but wanted to share that S2 is completing his first year at Stevens and is more than thrilled with his choice. Academically challenging but excellent support with regular study jams, tutoring, etc. He LOVES the location and has become quite knowledgeable with utilizing public trans which, IMO is a great life skill. And if your son is into the arts, the NYC location can’t be beat!</p>
<p>People talk about kids not being around on weekends, but my son has not experienced that. He has only been home for spring break this semester as there is so much going on both on campus and in NYC.</p>
<p>He joined the co-op program and has already had practice interviews and resume workshops and will be doing ‘real’ interviewing in June for a job this fall semester. He couldn’t be happier with his experience so far. Good luck to your son with his big decision!</p>
<p>DH went to RPI (late '70s), as did our business partner. We’ve had a few meetings with the engineering dean in the last few years when he does his alumni swings to the west coast; I’ve been very impressed with their program. Stevens has a west coast reputation as a school you go to if you can’t get into a better school, but I’m not sure that’s valid.</p>
<p>My way of resolving the difference would be to call the career planning offices at both campuses and ask them if Facebook/Google/Intel/Microsoft recruit on their campus and how many students got internships at those companies. Why those companies? Because they have big national internship and recruiting efforts.</p>
<p>decisiontimemom, it appears that you are between two great schools-well done by your student! I can speak about Stevens as I have many friends that attended and also did my graduate work there. Hoboken is fantastic and there is never a shortage of things to do! It is a top 15 college town, and the students certainly stay over the weekend (Much of the population is outside of NJ). The school has changed very much since the 70’s. Stevens shines in professional practice. The school has one of the best co-op’s in the nation and is always resting in the top 15 for career placement and development. The scholars program acceptance is a huge perk for what Stevens can offer. In addition to honors courses, students in that program get to do paid research or take 4 classes for free in the summer. Many students that focus on the class end are able to get a masters and an undergraduate degree in 4 years! Being a Hoboken resident, I can certainly say that I wish I did my undergraduate work there! Best of luck with your decision.</p>
<p>As a current Stevens student who also considered RPI and a number of other schools, I can honestly say that I made my decision to come to Stevens and never looked back. Stevens is such a amazing school to be at because it is large enough to have opportunities, but small enough that there’s a personal touch.</p>
<p>I actually am a part of the Scholar’s program, and I can’t emphasize enough how many doors it has opened for me. Through the scholar’s program I had the opportunity to travel to both Norway and Malaysia, at a very minimal cost. I also have completed nearly a year of paid research in various labs on campus. This coming summer I plan to take the free courses offered by the Scholar’s program to earn my Master’s of Engineering in addition to my Bachelor’s. I combined the Scholar’s program with the co-op program and with that I’ve also worked for 8 months at two different companies working on real life projects.</p>
<p>In terms of extra-curriculars at Stevens, I’ve been involved in all types. I also play an instrument and all of the performing art groups at Stevens just keep getting better and better. I love to play the piano and the school actually subsidizes lessons for me. If your son is interested in music, he may be interested in taking some courses through our music and technology department. All the professors in the music department have amazing resumes and there are no restrictions stopping engineers from enrolling in the music courses. In fact, it’s only a few extra courses to get the music minor if you plan it out ahead of time. Outside of music, Stevens has a lot to offer in terms of athletics, professional societies, special interest clubs, and absolutely everything else. And if we don’t have it, you can start it – believe me, I’ve done it!</p>
<p>Being from Pennsylvania, I know where you’re coming from when you say that Stevens isn’t a household name, but that doesn’t mean companies haven’t heard of it. As someone said before, Stevens has great career placement rankings and both of the companies I co-oped with looked at Stevens grads first before hiring anyone else. You get such a fabulous, well-rounded education here, and in the professional world there is a huge demand for Stevens graduates. Also, Hoboken is a fantastic place to go to school. If there’s not enough for you to do here, you can get to New York City in less than a half hour and for less than $5. Every student here really enjoys being in Hoboken and it’s important to not just like the school you’re at but to enjoy the bigger community too.</p>
<p>I really just can’t say enough great things about Stevens and a lot of the things you’re concerned about – the performing arts, the suitcase school reputation, the concentration of students from the tri-state area – were my concerns too, but I’ve found that once you’re here, they’re really no longer concerns. </p>
<p>Stevens offers so much to its students. I challenge you to find another school where you can get a Bachelors and a Masters in 8 semesters, get nearly a year of both research and co-op experience, do 2 study abroads, be an active participant in the performing arts, play a varsity sport, and graduate with a degree that just about guarantees you a job.</p>
<p>Have you seen the view of NYC from Stevens? The view is not only beautiful, it represents all of the opportunities available to Steven’s students. How is the RPI view?</p>
<p>^^^the view from the Stevens campus is amazing. Troy - not so much.</p>
<p>Both of my sons applied to, and were accepted by RPI, so we have visited on several occasions. Older S was also accepted to Stevens, and he is now a senior at Stevens.</p>
<p>He has been involved with the Debaun Theater while a student at Stevens - both technical theater and as an actor. He is involved with SITTV, Offcenter, Student Government Association, Redshift Magazine, and the Anime Club. He is always busy with all the opportunities for social life that the campus has to offer. He is also a class representative in Student Government and involved extensively with the Campus Improvement Committee.</p>
<p>And the campus is not deserted on weekends - I can’t speak to the past but it is always very busy there now.</p>
<p>He has worked 5 semesters with the co-op program, and just received a job offer from one of the companies he worked for.</p>
<p>RPI is a fine school, but Stevens is amazing in its own way. It is a matter of which is the best fit for YOU.</p>
<p>Hi I wish I saw this post earlier “decisiontimemom” I’m currently a third year student at Stevens and I couldn’t have been happier with my decision. First of all, Congrats to your son! RPI and Stevens are awesome schools! I am actually a Scholars, and a COOP, student here at Stevens. I had a similiar tough decision to make three years ago when I was in high school between, Stevens, Columbia, and Cooper Union. The benefits as a Stevens Scholar at a small school seemed to outweigh the positives that Cooper Union and Columbia could give me. I have spent a summer with PhD students in chemical engineering research and about one and a half full years of COOP (paid) experience. And yes the money makes a difference! The location can’t be beat and although everyone is talking about the economy hurting, our coop fairs and career job fairs are always filled with companies in the tri state area looking for us. I can’t say much about RPI but I would rest assured knowing that Stevens will give a very fruitful and well rounded experience. I picked up varsity sports here and have been trained to be a very good Division III athlete after never doing sports in my life. I also enjoy a very vibrant greek life. These are things that I felt that were missing at the other school. I am so close to my entire grade and the students at the school. It’s sad that I can’t do it all here because now that I’m on sports its harder to experience everything the weekend life has to offer. Shows, concerts, and greek life events are among the many things to do here on the weekend!! </p>
<p>MY advice would be to take advantage of such a unique school and quite frankly, looking forward to the future, take advantage of such a great school at a great location. Looking back at my decision, I know I made the right one!</p>
<p>I hope this helps!!! Best of luck in the college decision :)</p>
<p>Wow, the Stevens PR machine is in full frontal assault mode.</p>
<p>
Uh huh. Who talks like this?</p>
<p>I’m sure Stevens is a great school, but all you “students” with 0 post counts who are coming out of the woodwork sounding like poorly written travel brochures strains credibility IMO.</p>