<p>We are trying to understand all the Pros and Cons between RIT and RPI. We realize that RPI has a more traditional campus (very pretty) than RIT. Is it true that they both lack a sports-feeling? Aren't they both big on Greek life? I know RIT is dry but what's the social life like at RPI? (Btw Dry is a good thing from my sons perspective.)</p>
<p>Just hoping for some additional insight.</p>
<p>As my user name suggests, I have some familiarity with RPI, although it is kind of dated. I have visited both RPI and RIT recently with my son, as he considered both schools. I know some faculty, staff, and current RPI students as I still live nearby.</p>
<p>RPI has a Division 1 hockey program, a good D3 football program, and lots of other sports. It certainly isn’t going to be like being in a Division 1 football and basketball school, though. Neither has a big sports atmosphere, and that was a good thing for us. We visited BC, and did NOT like the big-time sports atmosphere there. </p>
<p>RPI Greek life is vibrant, and plenty of students participate. Many frats and sororities have off-campus houses as living options. Dry? Um… no. </p>
<p>Speaking specifically of RPI, there are plenty of non-academic things to do as a student if you wish. Lots of clubs, intramural sports, it really is what you make it. There are kids who will sit in their rooms and do nothing but play video games, too.</p>
<p>A really big difference between the two schools is the campus setting. RIT is relatively isolated, where RPI is in a more urban setting where fraternity houses and off-campus apartments are in close proximity. The thing I remember from our RIT visit is you’d better like brick buildings! RIT is substantially larger than RPI, about double the student population. </p>
<p>Another difference was the co-op education focus. While co-op is available at RPI, it is not a centerpiece of the student experience. If my goal was to go into industry after college, I might lean towards RIT. If my goal was grad school, perhaps RPI. A good student will be successful in either school.</p>
<p>Finally, I’m sure you know that RPI is more selective and has statistically stronger students. RIT, on the other hand, is MUCH more affordable. </p>
<p>I hope that is of some use. Ultimately I would select the school that “feels” right for your son. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for your input! My son would not be going to grad school. But he also likes being with the smartest kids possible so he can feel challenged and learn from them.</p>
<p>You raise a good point about the size. In fact that is a good question to ask about the Game Design programs at each. RPI has 25 Freshman in the program. RIT most likely has a lot more especially since it is ranked much higher for it. Neither program has many (1?) faculty who have actually worked in the industry so they are equal there.</p>
<p>I like RIT for the $20k lower price although we could swing RPI too although I may grumble a bit more. They gave him merit + grant= $27k at RPI.</p>
<p>I think RPI has a more traditional college feel to it. I like that but I don’t think my son had a strong opinion one way or the other.</p>
<p>Up to today I thought WPI was out as a contender and then they came back with a $7k higher grant today. (I am self-employed and I mis-estimated my income.) I really like that campus!</p>
<p>I would have a very hard time not picking RIT for game design. It is a highly regarded program, and co-op experience would give a graduate a leg up in the job market. And if your out of pocket cost is lower, that’s a huge benefit, too. </p>
<p>Congrats on the WPI option, too! It is nice to have strong choices!</p>
<p>Here’s how I look at it: retention and four year graduation rates, followed by admission stats!</p>
<p>RIT:
First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 89%
4-Year Graduation Rate: 27%
6-Year Graduation Rate: 63%
Test Scores – 25th / 75th Percentile
SAT Critical Reading: 540 / 650
SAT Math: 570 / 680
SAT Writing: 520 / 630</p>
<p>RPI:
First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 94%
4-Year Graduation Rate: 60%
6-Year Graduation Rate: 84%Test Scores – 25th / 75th Percentile
SAT Critical Reading: 610 / 700
SAT Math: 660 / 760
SAT Writing: 590 / 690</p>
<p>RPI wins and wins by $20,000 in my book. Just the cost of an extra year makes RPI the winner.</p>
<p>I knew that RPI students had the edge academically. Also the RIT graduation rates are lower because of the mandatory co-op which takes some to a fifth year. Also RIT has a huge art school and many in those programs have lower scores.</p>
<p>I am looking for insight on the cultures at both schools. I haven’t really seen students say that either is their “Dream school.” They both have big Greek systems and lots of clubs. Neither is really a sports school. I just don’t feel the vibe for either that is why I am asking.</p>
<p>I think I just may request overnights at both and WPI. Hopefully that will be helpful.</p>
<p>During my son’s college search last year RPI was definately a front runner. Maybe because my son was being recruited for a sport…but we got a great impression of the sports vibe there. Every sport benefits from the D1 hockey program. Their athletics complex was by far the nicest, newest and most impressive of any (predominately D3) program we visited. They have some good rivalry games (I know Union is a big one for football) and they make for really fun games. I know when Shirley Jackson took over the helm she had two major priorities - sports and the arts. On the arts side of things the EMPAC was also one of the nicest and most impressive buildings we saw during his search. Easy to pick up on the effort to make RPI more than “just an engineering school.”</p>
<p>That arts building definitely is impressive. Thank you!</p>
<p>RIT students don’t pay tuition while they’re on co-op, and the student is paid for a real-world work assignment. Also, the sample game design course sequence shows co-ops taking place during the summer and graduation in 4 years. I don’t see how that makes RPI a win on cost.</p>
<p>I am not as enthusiastic about RPI’s building spree. Are the new facilities nice? Yes, absolutely, but they are over the top in my opinion. The luxury box built for Dr. Jackson in the Houston Field House (the hockey arena) eliminated an entire section of seating, and is unoccupied almost every game. RPI is stretched thin financially and is very tuition dependent. They have been increasing the size of incoming classes without faculty and staff growth keeping pace.</p>
<p>I think an overnight visit is an excellent idea. RPI starts offering visits for accepted students starting next week! We have a good friend whose son was accepted to RPI last year, and the overnight visit sealed the deal.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>GamderGal, please note that at the 6th year mark RIT has 21% fewer graduates than RPI. Even the big SUNY schools do better than 63%, and they have very mobile populations. I considered RIT for my daughter, but a 63% six year graduation rate worried me, not because my kid was likely to drop out, but because others would be and for what reason. . .</p>
<p>I am a bit pro-RPI because I graduated (Ph.D) in 1990. My experience is too long ago to help you get a sense of the campus, but I loved the Victorian architecture of Troy (a very walkable city), biking the river to Albany, hiking the Adirondacks, and the intensity of the work. </p>