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!!
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
You've probably heard this many times before, but know that college is VERY different from high school. I never really had to study in high school (even in AP courses), but once I got to college I realized that I actually had to put in some effort in order not to make mediocre grades. Don't let the ratio scare you off! For you girls and guys out there interested in RPI, please know it's not as bad as it looks on paper (usually)! Try to plan out your next four years early on to fit in any extra classes you want to take besides those required for your major (for example, fitting in a minor or dual major). Take AP classes/tests to get credit here! Especially AP Chem and AP Bio if your major only requires you to take the intro class to each! It's very, very useful to have those credits.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
With the possible exceptions of the HASS (Humanities and Social Science) courses, the classes you will take here are pretty challenging in general. A note on the HASS requirements for any degree: take psychology, starting with gen psych. They are by far the easiest classes you will take here. It's a nice break from the other classes you are required to take throughout your time here. Classes are challenging, and tests are rarely curved to my knowledge, though you are probably not doing as poorly in your class as you think you are based off test grades. For example; physics 1 grades are padded with in class 'activities' and homework grades in addition to your test grades (you also have the option of replacing a poor test grade with the grade you get on the final exam). Most students are very willing to help, so just ask around if you are struggling with a class! (This is in addition to professor office hours, drop-in tutoring, and review sessions available)
Describe the dorm life at your college.
None of the freshman dorms (except for Barton Hall) have air conditioning, which isn't a huge deal for most of the year, but it's slightly annoying the first month or so of school. Most of the dorms are old (again with the exception of Barton), and I ended up living in a forced triple because of the large freshman class this year (forced triple meaning 3 people in a double with a slight discount on room&board prices). Having a kitchen on most floors in the dorms is useful, even though the appliances are usually older. It would be nice to have more storage space in the rooms, but that may just be a problem for me since I'm in the forced triple setting.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The food actually isn't all that bad considering it's campus food. Pizza and salad is always an option. Commons and Sage both have delis where you can have a sandwich or wrap made for you. Commons, Sage, and BARH all have a grill with hamburgers, fries, ect. There are themed meals each night to offer variety. Freshmen are required to have a dining hall meal plan, but can choose how many meals per week. We have Flex dollars that are included in the meal plan costs and can be used to buy things like Ben & Jerry's in the Student Union (yum!). Pizzabella's and Moe's are right next to each other just off campus and many students choose to go there for late night pizza or Mexican food. There are also some really good places to eat in Troy (the Brown Bag, Dinosaur BBQ, Dante's frozen yogurt, etc).
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
If you have a floor/wing that is social, hang out with them! I've made quite a few friends just by hanging out outside my dorm room, or just leaving my door open during the first few weeks of school. If you have a car (or a friend with a car if you are a freshman) you can travel into Albany or go to Colonie Square or the mall. Troy can sometimes be an interesting place to explore with friends, as long as you do it during the daytime.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
It's expensive, but it sure does pay off in the end once you land that high-paying job with a well known company after graduation. The financial aid given to students is usually very good.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
I haven't yet experienced the winter/snow here yet, but I hear that many students take trays from the dining halls to sled down hills on campus. Pizzabella's is the place to go for late night pizza after hanging out (or while hanging out) with friends. There is also a spot near Sage Dining where you can stand, talk normally, and hear your voice echoing back to you. Oh, and West Hall is said to be haunted (though my friends and I haven't found anything yet).
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Well-rounded, driven, and students willing to look for help when needed will succeed here. Almost all of us here are nerds at heart, even if we don't look like it. Ask around and you're more likely than not to find something at least slightly nerdy about every student here. You have your extreme gamers that don't leave their dorms except to go to class, all the way to your ROTC/jocks and everything in between. Not all of us are socially awkward either!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are so many clubs on campus, it's pretty much guaranteed you will find a club you are interested in. If you played sports in high school, we have many intramural teams and club teams in addition to Div. III school sports teams (with men's and women's hockey being Div. I). I personally am on the club volleyball team, cheer squad/team, and an intramural soccer team this fall, and I love it. If you love your videogames, like knitting, enjoy hiking and biking, or like shooting targets with a bow and arrow, those clubs are here too! So many to choose from, you'll have trouble fitting in time for all the ones you want to join!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
It's wonderful! I know that at least for the sororities, there is no hazing at all. In my sorority, we had a gift week where our then-unknown Bigs gave us gifts throughout the week. The Greek population here is generally very friendly and active on campus. There are somewhere around 30 fraternities on campus, with many having a house or apartment where the brothers live. There are five sororities total, with three main social ones. The IFC and Panhellenic Council preside over all the Greeks and there are Greek events throughout the year. Going Greek is a great way to make connections that might end up assisting you in finding future job opportunities (in addition to the fun social side of it).
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
There are call boxes all over campus, and you are never out of sight of one. You can regularly see the Public Safety cars driving around campus, and if you feel unsafe at any time on or near campus, you can call Pub. Safe to give you a ride back to the dorms.
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!!
You've probably heard this many times before, but know that college is VERY different from high school. I never really had to study in high school (even in AP courses), but once I got to college I realized that I actually had to put in some effort in order not to make mediocre grades. Don't let the ratio scare you off! For you girls and guys out there interested in RPI, please know it's not as bad as it looks on paper (usually)! Try to plan out your next four years early on to fit in any extra classes you want to take besides those required for your major (for example, fitting in a minor or dual major). Take AP classes/tests to get credit here! Especially AP Chem and AP Bio if your major only requires you to take the intro class to each! It's very, very useful to have those credits.
With the possible exceptions of the HASS (Humanities and Social Science) courses, the classes you will take here are pretty challenging in general. A note on the HASS requirements for any degree: take psychology, starting with gen psych. They are by far the easiest classes you will take here. It's a nice break from the other classes you are required to take throughout your time here. Classes are challenging, and tests are rarely curved to my knowledge, though you are probably not doing as poorly in your class as you think you are based off test grades. For example; physics 1 grades are padded with in class 'activities' and homework grades in addition to your test grades (you also have the option of replacing a poor test grade with the grade you get on the final exam). Most students are very willing to help, so just ask around if you are struggling with a class! (This is in addition to professor office hours, drop-in tutoring, and review sessions available)
None of the freshman dorms (except for Barton Hall) have air conditioning, which isn't a huge deal for most of the year, but it's slightly annoying the first month or so of school. Most of the dorms are old (again with the exception of Barton), and I ended up living in a forced triple because of the large freshman class this year (forced triple meaning 3 people in a double with a slight discount on room&board prices). Having a kitchen on most floors in the dorms is useful, even though the appliances are usually older. It would be nice to have more storage space in the rooms, but that may just be a problem for me since I'm in the forced triple setting.
The food actually isn't all that bad considering it's campus food. Pizza and salad is always an option. Commons and Sage both have delis where you can have a sandwich or wrap made for you. Commons, Sage, and BARH all have a grill with hamburgers, fries, ect. There are themed meals each night to offer variety. Freshmen are required to have a dining hall meal plan, but can choose how many meals per week. We have Flex dollars that are included in the meal plan costs and can be used to buy things like Ben & Jerry's in the Student Union (yum!). Pizzabella's and Moe's are right next to each other just off campus and many students choose to go there for late night pizza or Mexican food. There are also some really good places to eat in Troy (the Brown Bag, Dinosaur BBQ, Dante's frozen yogurt, etc).
If you have a floor/wing that is social, hang out with them! I've made quite a few friends just by hanging out outside my dorm room, or just leaving my door open during the first few weeks of school. If you have a car (or a friend with a car if you are a freshman) you can travel into Albany or go to Colonie Square or the mall. Troy can sometimes be an interesting place to explore with friends, as long as you do it during the daytime.
It's expensive, but it sure does pay off in the end once you land that high-paying job with a well known company after graduation. The financial aid given to students is usually very good.
I haven't yet experienced the winter/snow here yet, but I hear that many students take trays from the dining halls to sled down hills on campus. Pizzabella's is the place to go for late night pizza after hanging out (or while hanging out) with friends. There is also a spot near Sage Dining where you can stand, talk normally, and hear your voice echoing back to you. Oh, and West Hall is said to be haunted (though my friends and I haven't found anything yet).
Well-rounded, driven, and students willing to look for help when needed will succeed here. Almost all of us here are nerds at heart, even if we don't look like it. Ask around and you're more likely than not to find something at least slightly nerdy about every student here. You have your extreme gamers that don't leave their dorms except to go to class, all the way to your ROTC/jocks and everything in between. Not all of us are socially awkward either!
There are so many clubs on campus, it's pretty much guaranteed you will find a club you are interested in. If you played sports in high school, we have many intramural teams and club teams in addition to Div. III school sports teams (with men's and women's hockey being Div. I). I personally am on the club volleyball team, cheer squad/team, and an intramural soccer team this fall, and I love it. If you love your videogames, like knitting, enjoy hiking and biking, or like shooting targets with a bow and arrow, those clubs are here too! So many to choose from, you'll have trouble fitting in time for all the ones you want to join!
It's wonderful! I know that at least for the sororities, there is no hazing at all. In my sorority, we had a gift week where our then-unknown Bigs gave us gifts throughout the week. The Greek population here is generally very friendly and active on campus. There are somewhere around 30 fraternities on campus, with many having a house or apartment where the brothers live. There are five sororities total, with three main social ones. The IFC and Panhellenic Council preside over all the Greeks and there are Greek events throughout the year. Going Greek is a great way to make connections that might end up assisting you in finding future job opportunities (in addition to the fun social side of it).
There are call boxes all over campus, and you are never out of sight of one. You can regularly see the Public Safety cars driving around campus, and if you feel unsafe at any time on or near campus, you can call Pub. Safe to give you a ride back to the dorms.