We just stumbled across the RPI First Approach program. I have to say I love the idea of having an acceptance so early. Does anyone know anything about the program and who gets an invite?
Also, any thoughts on RPI in general?
Besides this program, and ED0 at Chicago are there any other programs that admit this early?
It’s a great opportunity for students interested in RPI, the requirements are on their website:
Chicago ED0 is only for students who do one of Chicago’s summer programs.
I do see the benefit of early admits. RPI is the only one I know that comes in by the end of June after junior year.
There are plenty of rolling admit schools that open their own apps in July where one will get fairly quick notification of admission after applying…think less selective schools like Iowa, Iowa state, Kansas State, U Montana, etc (there are quite a few.)
It will be interesting to see if more schools create programs like RPI’s or Chicago’s.
We toured, my 27 is applying and really was impressed by the tour and tour guide.. We actually thought Troy was better than expected too.. really big farmers market and at least a few blocks had been gentrified nicely..
I have some friends whose kids went in recent past and liked it a lot.
They have decent merit too…
D26 was interested in RPI. She really liked their mission and focus. Also Troy is a lot nicer than we were expecting too.
On the new program, just note that if accepted, you have to accept admission by mid-January versus the standard May 1. So you could only really get ED1 and maybe some EA and rolling acceptances before having to decide.
Plenty of schools are early acceptance - maybe not this early.
RPI is great for the student who loves engineering. It’s not only engineering but that’s an area they are really known for.
It’s not a hard admit but they have outstanding outcomes. I think it’s the kind of school that’s MIT light - so you might have some that aspire to both attend.
It’s a low yield school so they do have to “buy” kids in.
Here is their reported salaries - note, they don’t provide a knowledge rate.
I don’t think - because they admit early - is a reason to apply. There’s many easy admits and early admits if that’s all you are looking for.
I think - if the focus/interest/offerings of the school interest you and is affordable is the reason to apply.
Good luck.
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Oh, that’s annoying. It probably means it’s not an option for one of my kids. Might still be a fit for the other.
I think you also have to be invited to apply? At this point, I don’t know that RPI knows my kids exist, so I don’t know how they would get invited to apply.
A great way to ensure schools know your kid exists is to get on their email list. All the admissions departments have a link to sign up for more info.
Yes, you’ll get lots of emails and from, especially the privates, you want to open them and click on videos, even if you walk away - as they track interest (the schools that do).
You’ll also get - app fee waivers from some - so that’s great!!!
I’d suggest your student set up a generic college email so it doesn’t interfere with their personal.
We started with over 100 and then unsubscribed as we knew a school was out.
But this is one way hey would know about you. This is RPIs (below)
My 25 got a “special invite” to an “special” app w/ fewer essays and questions and such back then..I think it was only because they were on the mailing list early on…This came in summer.
" We are pleased to announce that you are one of the students we have selected to apply to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with Candidate’s Choice status!“”
It wasn’t super early due dates or anything, but I am wondering if this is a new version of that? It did make them feel special 
They didn’t end up applying though (I don’t even remember why..)
So I would encourage just joining marketing lists, I suspect you get an invite.
Looking at this, it doesn’t ask for any academic information. How would they know if someone would qualify for the early admission program? The website seems to imply that getting the invite is based on high stats.
Both my kids also got a few fee waivers from (we assume) being on mailing lists, so there’s that too.
Might be something to ask the school college counselor?
In general, you want to be on lists.
A lot of these programs are - marketing.
Or they might come to you later to fill in a profile. Or when you hit submit it might take you to another screen asking for more.
Your student should absolutely have an email address and every time you agree - yeah, this one should be on a list, you need to get on their email list.
Colleges are business. Admissions officers are sales and marketing directors.
They market (and incent) to people they are aware of. That’s why some also buy test scores.
Everyone is special when it comes to colleges - if they know about you, they’ll find a way to make you think you’re one in a million. Not all but some.
OK, so I looked at it more closely. It seems like there’s a $500 deposit due Jan 15, but that it’s not binding the way ED is. Does that mean someone could ethically withdraw if they got an offer they liked better? I realize they’d lose the $500.
Yes
