I really want to go to RPI. Its close, small and a good Computery school that is much easier to get into than MIT or Carnegie Mellon. RPI at this point in time has got to be my top choice and I am planning to do ED if my chances are looking good, but I have no idea (hence why I am posting this). I am personally interested in RPI’s school of GSAS and I have a pretty darn good portfolio in my eyes for applying. But I’m worried I am being optimistic where in reality I have no chance. I’m really just curious what my real chances for getting in are. My stuff is below, any help is really appreciated. Thanks so much for reading.
Gender: Male
Race: White
Religion: None
School: public, a lot of people get into ivy league’s.
GPA (W) 9-11: 3.2
However my GPA Junior year was a 3.7
while Sophomore and Freshman year were much, much lower, really killing me:(
ACT: 30, taking once more in September maybe get it a little higher.
AP scores:
AP Comp Sci - 3
AP Bio - 3
Extra Curricular Activities:
Created Electronic Music Production discord chat (basically a modern IRC chat room with a few thousand people in it as of now)
Moderator of Pixel Art discord chat (again basically a modern IRC chat, this one has about a 1000 people in it)
A solid 350+ hours of animation experience mostly with pixel art, but some 3D animation
Another solid 400+ hours producing music, playing piano and drumming (in total)
Currently in development (been in development since august of last year) of a indie game with my friends who are way smarter than me (one currently in MIT and another most likely going)
Experienced web developer, I made and host my portfolio site on my server
I made a neat little robot that solves the tower of Hanoi as a little side project (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCBApoYbF0I) <- if that was confusing, it was just a fun robotics project lol
Around 100+ hours of VFX work in After Effects
Developed a discord bot API with a coding friend
I just generally have a lot of programming experience from just a lot of projects that either failed or were successful. I’ve been coding since freshman year on my own in the higher level languages like Java, Python and JavaScript.
You definitely seem very strong in STEM subjects, which is good for a school like RPI. Just some facts: their acceptance rate is 42% and their ACT scores are about 27-32. I would say you are in a good ball park for this school, as you seem to meet all the numerical requirements. EC are very strong. With an amazing essay, I am sure you will get in. Best of luck!
Unless you are trying to enter one of the athletic teams, I recommend don’t apply to any school Early-Decision.
Unless you are sure you can afford full tuition, I recommend don’t apply to any school Early-Decision.
There is a debate as to whether applying ED to any school does in fact give you better chances since their acceptance rates appear to be better for ED. I’m on the side that it is NOT easier.
Consider that only people who believe they truly have a chance of getting in are the only ones applying ED.
Consider that only people who have been directed by their HS coaches and counselled by their interviewer at that college that they need to apply ED in order to garauntee their position.
Consider that only people who have financial assurance to afford their Cost of Attendance are going to apply ED and this is in the college’s interest.
With all the above and more, it stands to reason that it “APPEARS” like ED gives better chances, but so far these are people with the highest likelihood to get accepted.
@GoRedhead hmmm, I never thought about ED that way and it makes more sense. The only real reason I even considered it was because the ED acceptance rate was 23% higher than the regular acceptance rate. I also had the philosophy that since less people go for ED they might consider my portfolio more as they theoretically have more time to look over my stuff. I’m really just generally scared that my GPA blows compared to most people applying and that is the reason I wont get in and ED seemingly had a higher acceptance rate. Now I’m not sure what I really want to do, this turned my world view upside down lol
@GoRedhead@jiffyjeff It’s way easier to get in through ED than RD. For ED, the acceptance rate is like 60% (granted, nearly everyone is qualified during ED) and for RD it’s in the high 30 percent range. Also, RPI DOES NOT require you to enroll if you cannot afford it, even for ED - it basically just helps the college increase their yield since ED applicants will enroll 80-90% of the time (100% don’t enroll, it’s in the range above).
So for the objective part: Your GPA is in the bottom 4% of students that enroll - your ACT is average. Your ECs are related, but nothing special - most people doing anything at RPI have at least basic experience in their chosen field. Your AP scores and number you took are well below average, the average enrolled student got credit for 4-5 AP classes (so they got a 4 or 5 in that many). I’d really try hard and retake the ACT/ increase your GPA and apply ED, since I honestly don’t see you getting in RD - it seems highly unlikely. ED, I’d say your chances are 50-50. RD, like one out of ten (maybe a little higher if you boost your scores). I’d recommend applying ED, it significantly increases your chances and if it’s not financially feasible (you determine if it is, not RPI) you can decline the offer. This is my personal opinion and anything is possible so don’t take this as discouraging, but I’d also consider other schools if RPI doesn’t end up taking you, or worse isn’t financially feasible. PM me if you any any questions!
@joedoe Thanks this is more what I was expecting. I am retaking the ACT one more time before applying and hopefully I can bump that up to a 31 or 32. I do have a question however. Do senior year grades make a difference when applying as early as ED? I know I can do very well, but would doing well these first few months of school help at all towards my application? I’m not asking to see if I should be trying to do well senior year (if that is what it might sound like), I’m just wondering if me doing well will help my app. Thanks again, I really appreciate it!
@jiffyjeff Bringing up your ACT will definitely improve your chances a lot. GPA, if you do really well can make a difference. Senior year grades are considered and a large improvement would definitely show with the admissions committee. Best of luck!
