This is the official discussion thread for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Class of 2028 RD applicants. Ask your questions and connect with fellow applicants.
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I believe the decisions are in 45minutes. Let us see 
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Hi My daughter checked the portal at 4:30 PM PST. She got acceptance for Computer & Systems Engineering.
Congrats!!!
Son got acceptance for CS.
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Awesome. Congratulations. That’s what my son studies at RPI!
My son is accepted at RPI for MechE. We attended yesterday’s “Accepted Student” day and felt it was a good vibe. We live about 20 minutes away from RPI and My husband graduated from there with the same MechE degree. Dad loves RPI and has recently sponsored three RPI capstone projects through his employer.
My son has narrowed down his choices to either RPI or SUNY Binghamton. He has friends attending BING and it might be good to go somewhere farther away and forge his own path. You also certainly can’t beat the price of a SUNY, even after merit.
There is no bad choice, but I think it will be a difficult one!
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My son is in the same situation, has been accepted to RPI and SUNY Binghamton, MechE. Considering pros and cons of both schools. Being from out of state SUNY Binghamton might become cheaper after year 2 if claiming local residency. Wondering if there are others who had compared these 2 schools and what their findings were.
Would love to hear.
Cheers.
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My DS is also down to RPI and Binghamton as a final 2 for CS. Had other really good options, but these are his 2. Binghamton moved up the list when he received an offer to Scholars and then a surprising in-state merit award creating a larger cost difference. We have visited each school multiple times and they are very different. He put it this way after our last 2 in one day trip meeting with professors and friends. “Binghamton is more diverse in every way and RPI is more focused.” We have all flip flopped many times on our preference.
Although Binghamton appears to be harder to gain admittance, RPI is harder to finish. I think the overall level and achievements at RPI are higher with better outcomes if the student can deal with and accept that path. A big concern for my DS was he did not want a cut throat super competitive program as he just finished that in High School. This eliminated some schools from making his list. Everything we read and hear about RPI says their students are not like that and are far more supportive of each other. I think that sold him.
To over simplify an observation visiting both in a day,
RPI although not an ugly campus has a Black and White feel, while Binghamton appears in color.
Very different feels. RPI felt more studious and serious which is fine for the parents, but the student needs to sign on board with it.
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It sounds like you’ve done your homework, and I love that you are really letting your ds decide. Good luck with your decision.
I agree with your comments. It’s crazy that multiple parties are coming down to the same two choices. These schools are so different.
Binghamton seems to be more of a “college” experience, 47%/53% male to female ratio vs. 69%/31%. There are less engineering choices (no civil, chemical, aerospace or nuclear). The dorms, dining options and clubs seem like a lot of fun at Binghamton. However, the Watson College is 40+ years old and RPI is 200+. RPI has a huge following and is known for its rigor.
https://rpi.app.box.com/s/vm1frhpikicfetxh0hdojp79mqbhfjlx
https://www.binghamton.edu/watson/student-services/career-connection/alumni/outcomes.html
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