<p>LoneWolf, here my take on RPI (I did EE there). I think most reputable engineering schools are pressure cookers to some degree but I think RPI is probably more so. All nighters were not uncommon and one of my friends once stayed up for three days with no sleep. On the flip side there were a lot of really smart kids that didn’t have to push themselves to that extreme to get good grades. </p>
<p>After I graduated and started working, some of my MIT buds told me about the saying “it is better to be FROM MIT than AT MIT”. The “brass rat” ring they wear even has the intials IHTFP (I Hate This blankety blank Place) on it. I think RPI is the same kind of thing. </p>
<p>My post RPI career has gone quite well and the financial rewards are pretty much what I expected. </p>
<p>It’s a great school that’s becoming more recognized as such. I think your idea of trying RPI for a year to see if you like it is a good one especially with your generous ucle helping out. From your stats I think you could compete there very well if you applied yourself.</p>