Tell me why you love Rensselaer...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
1

<p>or why you don’t.
I’m considering applying to Rensselaer, and I would love to know more about it from a student’s point of view. I’ve read a lot of the threads and they were really helpful, but I still have a few questions:</p>

<li><p>In your opinion, what makes Rensselaer different from all the other schools?</p></li>
<li><p>What is something you absolutely don’t like about Rensselaer?</p></li>
<li><p>How does the laundry system work? Do the machines run on quarters? Are they free to use?</p></li>
<li><p>Is the male-female ratio noticeable, considering how out of proportion it is? Do you like or dislike it?</p></li>
<li><p>Sorry, I just have to ask: Would you say that the students are attractive? </p></li>
<li><p>How hard is it to get an A or a B in a class? </p></li>
<li><p>How would you describe the typical Rensselaer student?</p></li>
<li><p>How’s the weather?</p></li>
<li><p>Do you like the campus?</p></li>
<li><p>Anything else you think would be beneficial to know for a prospective student?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Responses to ANY of the above questions would be great and other opinions of Rensselaer would be appreciated too!</p>

2

<p>Hey: I really have to get to get to bed, but I'll try to answer your questions as concisely as possible. I'm a sophomore physics major. here goes: </p>

<ol>
<li><p>In your opinion, what makes Rensselaer different from all the other schools?
RPI is growing faster than most other schools. They are building lots of new centers and constantly trying to improve student life. Its rather exciting in that regard. The ratio and the campus culture are also very different from other schools. </p></li>
<li><p>What is something you absolutely don't like about Rensselaer?
Oh lots of things: I don't like a lot of my professors. I don't really like how the administration sensationalizes things and then sometimes doesn't follow through. Like my friends are trying to get summer undergraduate research, and its not as easy as they say. Other research is easy to get, but its not always as great as they say. I don't like the ratio... and I don't like troy very much, but I get by just fine. </p></li>
<li><p>How does the laundry system work? Do the machines run on quarters? Are they free to use?
They run on quarters. laundry is never free. You can also put money on your student card, (RAD dollars) and you can use that as well (there are card readers). </p></li>
<li><p>Is the male-female ratio noticeable, considering how out of proportion it is? Do you like or dislike it?
Yes it is very noticeable once you've been there a little while. I'm a guy, and I don't like it at all, but I consider it somewhat of a tradeoff for going to a tech school... I still feel like I could get a girlfriend, but its not as easy. And sometimes I feel like maybe I'm not getting as much experience around girls as I should be. </p></li>
<li><p>Sorry, I just have to ask: Would you say that the students are attractive?
Like physically?? Uh, I don't know.. sure there are plenty of attractive students. But going to RPI supposably lowers your standards. Really, a lot of people here are nerdy, both in appearance and behavior. (a lot of people are rather anti-social). But theres lots of other people, of many races, personalities and backgrounds. I'd still say its more diverse than many schools. </p></li>
<li><p>How hard is it to get an A or a B in a class?
Oh this really depends! To make a long story short, I study maybe 3-4 hours a day or something and get As in all my classes. I know other people who study way more, and way less. </p></li>
<li><p>How would you describe the typical Rensselaer student?
This is harder than it sounds.. but I would say RPI students are individuals, of course all RPI students are good with computers, did well in high school, etc. Students usually have something they are passionate about.. (maybe thats not exactly true, there are probably a few students who just want to get their diploma and don't care much about the subject) But anyways, people are usually friendly as well, but maybe a little less outgoing then normal. </p></li>
<li><p>How's the weather?
Basically, its fairly cold in the winter (less then freezing for maybe a month at most) and some snow (this year only a foot for a week or so). There is a lot of rainy cold days during the winter. But spring and fall the weather is fine. Right now were having amazing weather, its been sunny and clear and in the mid 80s for several days. </p></li>
<li><p>Do you like the campus?
Yes, I think the campus is one of RPI's strong points, other than it being hilly, it is very well layed out and a nice size. I can't say its always well kept, especially with all the construction going on, but a lot of that will be done by the end of this summer. </p></li>
<li><p>Anything else you think would be beneficial to know for a prospective student?
I'll let you know if I think of anything else... What major are you thinking of ?</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>I'm thinking either Biochem, Chemistry, Biology or maybe even Pre-Med. Do you know anything about the difficulty of the classes associated with these majors?</p>

4

<ol>
<li><p>In your opinion, what makes Rensselaer different from all the other schools?
I found a distinct lack of competitiveness between students at RPI, which I believe is pretty different from other schools of its caliber.</p></li>
<li><p>What is something you absolutely don't like about Rensselaer?
First: location. Second: cost. (From my personal experience, I would have to disagree with Delton on the ease of entering summer research programs).</p></li>
<li><p>How does the laundry system work? Do the machines run on quarters? Are they free to use?
See Delton's explanation.</p></li>
<li><p>Is the male-female ratio noticeable, considering how out of proportion it is? Do you like or dislike it?
It's very noticeable, especially in Engineering and Science (in fact, Architecture has more females than males, meaning that Engineering and Science have even worse than the general ratios). I personally wouldn't mind any way (I'm weird like that). I do have an allergy to many scents, and females tend to use perfumes much more often than males use aftershave (or at least it's much more noticeable around a female) so the ratio is helpful in this regard.</p></li>
<li><p>Sorry, I just have to ask: Would you say that the students are attractive?
Up to you to decide.</p></li>
<li><p>How hard is it to get an A or a B in a class?
You're probably sick of hearing this, but it depends. It depends on how hard you work, how much attention you pay in class, your test taking ability, your talents, your intuition, and luck. Most people, if strongly committed to learning, can probably get an A or a B in any class.</p></li>
<li><p>How would you describe the typical Rensselaer student?
In what sense?</p></li>
<li><p>How's the weather?
Unfortunate. It's pretty cold from late October to early March, and during the remaining bit it's barely nice out. Please don't hope to enjoy the weather.</p></li>
<li><p>Do you like the campus?
Yes. It tends to be quiet, and doesn't seem to be overloaded with academic buildings or other random property (what I mean is the place doesn't feel like a crowded city).</p></li>
<li><p>Anything else you think would be beneficial to know for a prospective student?
I don't believe RPI has a designated Pre-Med program. Aside from that, don't take Organic Chemistry with other difficult classes.</p></li>
</ol>

5

<p>cesium : good point on number 1. </p>

<p>Also, there is a pre-med program, in conjunction with SUNY Albany I think, or something like that.. I know one person in it, but dont know anything else.</p>

6

<p>delton & cesium55,
Have you ever felt regret in choosing to attend Rensselaer over any of the other colleges which you were accepted to?</p>

7

<p>Dear freinds
I have been admitted for phd program in STS in RPI but i am a little bit worried about social life at TROy, I have heard it is too boring
I am a sociable girl love dancing and outgoing climbing cylying
but i have heard that these activities are not active and studnets are not freindly troy is is boring small city
is it right?
plz help me i am too woriied :( to become upset and hoemsick</p>

8

<p>TellItToMe:
I personally haven't regretted my decision. Actually, in some ways, I'm somewhat pleased that I was rejected from my first choice school, as it left me to choose between RPI and a couple of other places.</p>

<p>Soonyar:
Actually, ballroom dancing is relatively well-attended at RPI, if you are into that kind of dancing. The website for this club can be found at <a href="http://ballroom.union.rpi.edu/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://ballroom.union.rpi.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I can't really be sure that I understand the rest of your sentence (the "outgoing climbing cylying" part). In any case, there's a big list of clubs/activities at <a href="https://clubs.union.rpi.edu/?content_id=26&list=alpha&B1=Go%5B/url%5D"&gt;https://clubs.union.rpi.edu/?content_id=26&list=alpha&B1=Go&lt;/a> which might have what you're looking for.</p>

9

<p>I mean that i am an outgoing girl used to go out on weekends
can i go out and do cycling, climbing and other things?</p>

10

<p>For that, there's the Rensselaer Outing Club (website: <a href="http://outing.org/)%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://outing.org/)&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p>

11

<p>The Collegeconfidential forum software broke the link.</p>

<p>Try: <a href="http://outing.org/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://outing.org/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

12

<p>My opinions:</p>

<ol>
<li>In your opinion, what makes Rensselaer different from all the other schools?</li>
</ol>

<p>its ratio</p>

<ol>
<li>What is something you absolutely don't like about Rensselaer?</li>
</ol>

<p>some of the people are very immature and not open-minded. some people have seemingly lived in a cage until now. I don't like town of Troy. I don't like their strictness with alcohol.</p>

<ol>
<li>How does the laundry system work? Do the machines run on quarters? Are they free to use?</li>
</ol>

<p>Each freshman dorm has a laundry room in the basement. They run on quarters or your RAD (Rensselaer Advantage Dollars) card. They should probably get machines that take dollar bills because every batch is 1.00 to wash and 1.00 to dry. So people without RAD have to get 16 quarters to do just two batches! definitely not free...</p>

<ol>
<li>Is the male-female ratio noticeable, considering how out of proportion it is? Do you like or dislike it?</li>
</ol>

<p>it is very noticeable. you'll notice in dorms, classes, dining halls...everywhere. my discrete math class was about 97 guys and 3 girls. architecture is actually about 50-50. when you're at a table or something with more than 50% girls, usually someone says "we beat the ratio!" It's that noticeable.</p>

<ol>
<li>Sorry, I just have to ask: Would you say that the students are attractive?</li>
</ol>

<p>If you took the average attractiveness at every school in the country, then ranked them, RPI would probably place at about the 15th percentile. I don't have particularly high standards with physical beauty, so I find a lot of the girls attractive, but state schools are where it's at in terms of good-looking people.</p>

<ol>
<li>How hard is it to get an A or a B in a class? </li>
</ol>

<p>not hard. the average cumulative GPA is at RPI is 3.10 as of this past semester. So assuming it's a normal distribution, well over half the people here have at least a B average! my lowest grade this semester is a B and i haven't done much all semester.</p>

<ol>
<li>How would you describe the typical Rensselaer student?</li>
</ol>

<p>Most people here are knowledgeable. Most people here know how to play chess. A lot of people, mostly guys, play video games. Most people here are at least decent at math but most don't like math very much. Most people here are good with computers. About half of freshman plan on doing engineering. Most people here study very often. There are very diverse interests.</p>

<ol>
<li>How's the weather?</li>
</ol>

<p>On an average winter day it's about 15-30 degrees. We get snow a couple times a week, but usually not large amounts. When you first get here it's hot...about 80-95 each day, and note the dorms are not air-conditioned. Right now the weather is lovely...about 65-80 every day and sunny with flowers and leaves on trees at their finest.</p>

<ol>
<li>Do you like the campus?</li>
</ol>

<p>Yeah I do. It's easy to get around. All the freshmen dorms are together, and all the classes are within one general area. Basically all directions are given in terms of "the footbridge" or the DCC. Overall it's simple and nice.</p>

<ol>
<li>Anything else you think would be beneficial to know for a prospective student?</li>
</ol>

<p>There's a nifty gym. If you don't plan on keeping textbooks, I'd recommend selling them online if you want to maximize money or to someone working for Belltower books if you want to maximize simplicity and get a pretty good price. Don't sell them to the bookstore.</p>

13

<p>Thanks you all for the wonderful feed back.
Son visited last summer and has made the decision to go there. I think compared to big cities, Troy is a let down. And compared to big name liberal arts colleges RPI does not stand out as much.
But have to realize that RPI basically attracts a particular group of students.. hard core tech savvy, engineering based science lovers. Similar to MIT but without the big city feel of Boston. A smatter of architecture, liberal arts and management students breaks the monotony....which is helpful.
But RPI has a solid reputation and is well known in the engineering circles through out the world. Moreover I believe under the present president - RPI is making great strides in building up its reputation as a cutting edge science/engineering based research facility.
The tour guides that took us around...seemed very happy with what RPI had to offer in terms of both academics and social life. The student population from what I could gather appeared to be quite hardworking, studious and intelligent. Its definately not a party school and have few distractions...which to a parent sounded wonderful!!</p>

14

<ol>
<li><p>In your opinion, what makes Rensselaer different from all the other schools?
Size. That is what made it for me. Compared to the other tech schools I looked at it was smaller and that is what I wanted. Plus I could swim there, but that didn't work out. </p></li>
<li><p>What is something you absolutely don't like about Rensselaer?
The Troy weather, but that was because the South spoiled me.</p></li>
<li><p>How does the laundry system work? Do the machines run on quarters? Are they free to use?
You can use money on your student card to pay for it or quarters, they aren't free. Its a dollar for a load in the washer, and a dollar for a load in the dryer. </p></li>
<li><p>Is the male-female ratio noticeable, considering how out of proportion it is? Do you like or dislike it? Its noticeable in some classes, and not noticeable in others. Dorms are co-ed by floor so it isn't noticeable there. It isn't as bad as some make it out to be and its getting better. I'm a guy, so naturally I dislike it. :P</p></li>
<li><p>Sorry, I just have to ask: Would you say that the students are attractive?
Some are some aren't. Its just like everywhere else.</p></li>
<li><p>How hard is it to get an A or a B in a class?
DEPENDS ON THE CLASS. I only type that in caps because its so true. Some classes are jokes, and some are difficult. It aslo depends on the teacher most of the time. Most classes have curves.</p></li>
<li><p>How would you describe the typical Rensselaer student?
That is hard question because they are pretty diverse. You've got everywhere from jocks to nerds and everywhere inbetween. The average is probably just like your average high school student.</p></li>
<li><p>How's the weather?
You're asking someone who is biased. Its tough to go from no wind and sunny 300 days of the year to windy and sunny 100 days of the year. It isn't too cold, but it is really windy. Its most often cloudy, and it didn't snow that much this winter. It wasn't horrible, but we like to complain about it.</p></li>
<li><p>Do you like the campus?
Yes. Its not too large,and I really like the mix of architecture, new with old.</p></li>
<li><p>Anything else you think would be beneficial to know for a prospective student?
Its not the horrible place you make it out to be, its just like any college, you get what you put in.</p></li>
</ol>