Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

RPI is a wonderful place to learn. The academics are rigorous here, but the hard work pays off. Although it's a technological institute, there are lots of fields you can pursue, including biology, architechture, management, information technology, computer science, astronomy, psychology, electronic arts, or even the arts/humanites.

Rensselaer believes in a core education for all majors, as well as a core inside of majors. This means that I took a freshman seminar, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and liberal arts first semester, as well as three engineering courses (I am an engineering major). I gained knowledge from each class, most of which will serve as a foundation for future courses, as well as some that will serve as basic principles in my future career. As Rensselaer contains many unique majors, major-specific information will be much different than the education students were exposed to in high-school.

If you've looked into RPI as your prospective university you know of its academic merit but that merit is tied to the expectation of your academic dedication and excellence. The professors will expect a lot from you but if you put in the effort they will do the same. At times it may seem impossible but don't fall behind, master your studying habits, acknowledge what is the best way you learn and do it. The course work is intense, there is no denying it but it is possible. Make a friend in each class that way you have someone to talk to if you need help. Take advantage of all the resources RPI has to offer (ALAC, Office Hours, your TA's and LA's, if you don't get the abbreviations now you'll get them when you get here. We abbreviate almost everything.). The people here will help you but only if you do your part.

I've learned a lot so far and hope to learn so much more. RPI is a very intense school, meaning that you actually have to work hard to be successful. I do think however that I've learned so much more about people being that RPI is so diverse

RPI is a great engineering school with the prefect combo of old and new. The campus has a nice feeling and the students and very helpful. Amazing education paired with a great campus, student body, and a good surrounding town.

I'm taking Intro to Comp Prog and I haven't ever done programming before so everything is new and exciting that class. Chem I and Calc II are review for me but I still am learning some things I didn't know before like vectors in Calc. In Minds and Machines (kinda philosophy class) I love learning all the different philosophical views on the nature of persons and consciousness.

The academics are very difficult but rewarding. The professors know their stuff and are very accessible outside of class room hours. The students are all brilliant but are typically quite socially though less so than other major tech universities.

The ratio is definitely noticeable, but not a huge deal once you consider how many guys don't come out of their rooms to socialize. The courses are tough, so we work hard during the week (and a bit on the weekend), and then play hard on weekends. Ice hockey games are the best to watch with friends!!

RPI is a challenging school and is for those who are technically oriented. I was always the top of my class in high school and now I fight for every A, which is the challenge I was looking for all my life. If someone does not like the idea of being required to take physics and calculus, this school is not for you. However, there aren't any true English classes, so there is a trade-off. What everyone hears about the ratio is true, there are far more males than females, but this is the nature of an engineering school that used to be all-male.

To say I'm learning a lot would be an understatement. I've had a very positive experience with the professors here, most being friendly, helpful, and approachable, and all being very knowledgeable. As much learning comes from unexpected places as does from one's core curriculum, though. Often, you'll get just as much out of your easy just for fun one-credit classes as you will any big lectures or labs, and your fellow students may sometimes teach you more than professors or TAs. Overall, its a highly academic environment.