<p>We just got back. We had a very good day. Sunny skies and very warm. Approx. 3000 people there they said - record applicants this year. Very organized in terms of parking and getting us to where opening speeches were to take place. Moving of 3000 people was done very smoothly but it did take some time as expected.</p>
<p>Students and staff EVERYWHERE welcoming everyone. Lots of helpers all around. If you had any questions about anything there were at least several people you could ask without having to wait.</p>
<p>We followed Science group to EMPAC for talk by Dean of Sci. She is new at RPI and works with NASA on the “curiosity” which is going to touch down on Mars in August. I really enjoyed her talk - my 10 yr old said she loved it because she didn’t know all that about Mars. Speech included how she has had experience working at other institutions where interdisciplinary research is promoted but that RPI does it in a very unique way that is more effective. She highlighted the new ventures of staff and they are all cutting edge. Reading about other schools of course they too have excellent research going on but for me the topics at RPI were more directly related to improving lives of everyday people in BIG ways…for ex. the MRSA killing substance put on carbon nanotubes to be put into paint in hospitals. I felt like their approach to teaching students is very unique and successful - just my impression.</p>
<p>Went on research lab tour - very lab labs and researchers from different disciplines in the same long room - definitely an environment that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration. Very new building, nice & clean too.</p>
<p>campus tour - very nice day for a tour to see all the buildings. Very nice pathways between buildings. We love the campus. Tours inside the specific buildings like chemistry etc - hoped to see that but did not. Not sure if that was available or we just missed it.</p>
<p>Talked to Bio prof - she said if you can opt out of 1st semester Bio you should - it is a very general class. Dr. Jackson has required all students (even engineering majors) to have to take a semester of Bio. Some engs like aero I don’t think can because of their high # of requirements but almost everyone on campus has to take this Bio. Not too tough of a class but if you have AP credit you might not learn anything new. Prof was very approachable and down to earth - no intimidation etc.</p>
<p>Very nice free lunch! Who doesn’t like free food.</p>
<p>We just didn’t have enough time to get to everything. We went to Greek table, community service table, VESUDA (sp?) learning community which sounded interesting.</p>
<p>We did not get to the school club tables - darn it but residencies were next. I only saw room in Cary but D saw Quad dorms as well and actually liked them better even though they are smaller. This week students have no tests (GM week) so they were all winding down and lots of music playing everywhere. Cary was very loud in the hallways. Apparently there is a quiet time from 11pm to 7am and during final weeks it’s 24/7 quiet time. Very basic residences but seemed clean.</p>
<p>My son’s (HS soph) impression was that it was a nice open, clean campus but small dorm rooms. He can see himself there and he prefers that it is not right in a city. He didn’t like U Michigan in the city for example.</p>
<p>My D likes the size of the campus and is focusing on the education she will be getting there so the dorm rooms are not a big deal for her. JR & SR have different housing. </p>
<p>One question of concern from my D - she said she didn’t see too many places where she could go to study that are cozy or comfy. The individual study rooms in the library didn’t appeal to her. Where else do students go that we may have missed?</p>
<p>We should have gone to the student panel but didn’t have time.</p>
<p>Overall - a very good feel about the school. Hope that helps some people. I took some pictures but not sure where to post them.</p>