School Pride?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
1

<p>This might be a silly question, but I want to find an answer before I apply this fall. When I visited in the spring, my brother made it a point to say that RPI didn't display as much school pride as he experienced in college. (He attended a very large state university) I saw students walk around in RPI clothing, and they seemed relatively happy. But I was unable to really ask any students about their sense of pride for the school. Are they really that excited or proud to be attending? How's the attendance of sports / school spirit activities? I know about the Big Red Freakout, but are there any other events that are similar?
My small high school now doesn't really exhibit much school spirit. I'm personally not really excited or thrill to praise the high school I attend now. Although it is not a central concern of mine in regards to a school, I wanted to know what's the amount of school spirit that current students and alumni have for the school. </p>

<p>Thanks for the time,
Candice</p>

2

<p>I do not go to RPI (I am also going to be a senior) but as far as pride goes, it is basically just Hockey, Hockey, and more Hockey. (see: Puckman)</p>

3

<p>It really goes both ways. During the school year you’ll never see me when I’m not complaining about how ridiculous a professor might be or how much work I have and just want to sleep and hate the courses, but if any one outside of RPI offends I will fiercely defend my university.</p>

<p>Lots of people go to the hockey games and everyone gets excited about them so for sports there you go.</p>

<p>School spirit activities? I don’t really get what you mean… it’s not like this is high school or something. Maybe I’m missing your point.</p>

4

<p>There is also GM Week in the spring. Hockey is the only Division I sport at RPI, and the only sport that nearly everyone follows. I’m only a former student, but recall a certain level of pride in going to a tough school that had a solid reputation out in industry. This was shared with most other students. </p>

<p>If you’re looking for the Big 10 / SEC type of school pride, one of those would be better. I’m curious what your brother would think of school pride at MIT or an Ivy, not that RPI is in that class.</p>

5

<p>I can only speak for myself here. As an alumni of RPI, I have great deal of pride in the school and it really has nothing to do with the hockey program. I’m proud to have graduated from the same school that produced National Medal of Science / Technology winners as well as the Nobel and Crafoord Prize. Astronauts, bridgebuilders, etc. </p>

<p>I think all the focus on hockey trivializes what RPI is really about.</p>

6

<p>Don’t confuse being a sports fan with school pride. Pride in school is quieter. Big state schools rally around football, basketball, etc. I’d keep that quite separate from pride in attending RPI and later being an alumn. Grand Marshal week is probably the closest thing to a state school demonstration of pride. When you visit, ask students if they are glad they chose RPI. That would be the best indication of pride in my opinion. My kids love it.</p>

7

<p>Another alum comment - from the class of '76.</p>

<p>I majored in mechancal engineering and went on to obtain a graduate degreee in law.</p>

<p>I believe RPI was was a rigorous undergraduate curriculum in engineering and maintains that status to this day. The atmosphere then was less student-friendly. In any event, speaking from my time-frame, graduates, in my opinion, have a shared sense of camaraderie.</p>

<p>By the way, hockey has nothing to do with it.</p>

<p>I joined a fraternity and made life-long friends through the fraternity. A loose group of us keeps in touch to this day, 35+ years later. I am part of group of old-timers that maintains contact with the active brotherhood of my on-campus chapter, including liaison with the national. One of our group is a renowned, but, nonetheless rigorous, professor at RPI. It was a refreshing experience for one of my children to have him for a class.</p>

<p>I now have two sons that attend RPI. They have diferent personaliteis and different majors - although both major in different types of engineering. They joined a different fraternity than I did and find that to be a good experience.</p>

<p>The both qualified for admission to more so-called “elite” schools. But RPI turned out to be a perfect fit for both of them, and I cannot imagin that they could have a better experience academically and socially at a differnt school. My wife and I also think that RPI is by far a better experience than they might have had if the went to any other school.</p>

<p>In their case, they have different personalities and are developing different networks. Among the other benefits, there is the opportunity to network with fraternity brothers that graduated in the 70’s 80’s, etc., where many of them have obtained leadership positions in prominent businesses and may ensure that a resume get serious consdieration. They are also able to develop relationships with professors that may open doors to opportunties.</p>

<p>Bottom-line - I don’t care how prestigious an institution my to which my children may have been able to gain admission, I cannot imagine a better undergraduate engineering school and social and leadership experience for either of them.</p>

<p>By the way, with the emphasis on mentoring, the current computing environment, and the expanded facilities, I wish I had the opportunity to be younger and matriculate as an undergraduate today!</p>

<p>Good luck</p>