RPI Class of 2028 Official Thread

JMBrow
Sat, 13 Apr 2024 10:53:32 +0000

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.