When my student was looking I was on this site ofter. While enrolled at RPI engaged in information sharing and debate. Now 3 year post graduation and willing to answer questions or provide opinions. Feel free to post back.
What happened to all the robust discussion generated here?
AI.
Thanks for coming back! My D26 is planning to apply. The only question she has is “How’s the food?” I’m curious how the new president is doing. Do you feel like he’s engaging you well as an alum? It seems like that was a real problem with the previous pres.
Please note that my answers on these topics are based on feedback from my son.
Food pretty good especially post update of the ‘Commons’ located on freshmen hill. A wide range of cuisines. After hours food credits can be used at the Union with Panera and Halal Shack highly rated.
New President ‘Marty’ light years ahead of prior. Much more a man of the people, out and about, and at hockey games, in the bleachers with students, not up is a special private box (hail caesar). With that said, if I were to apply / visit now I would ask about what has changed since he arrived with program design, classes offers (added and removed) as well as the overall financial health.
I suggest rolling back on my prior post (including reading others perspectives) to get the full flavor of RPI. For us, it was an excellent match and everything we expected before and after graduation.
If looking at STEM, other schools I would look at are Stevens, WPI, Northeastern, and Carnegie Melon. If a NYS resident, check out SUNY StonyBrook and Binghamton. A smaller regional school which has an excellent school of engineering is Manhattan University (formally college).
Please post back any other questions.
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Thanks! I appreciate the perspective.
As a parent, was there anything that surprised you or that you think RPI has done really well or really poorly? I know the arch gets a bad rap, but we visited this summer and the students there didn’t really seem to mind it. The two we spoke with said the labs were a little quieter, so they got to engage in research more deeply and do more “stuff”. Did your son find it to be ok?
And will look through the old posts as well - thanks for the reminder!
hmmmm … ok, on the plus side they do a good job trying to put together a financial package that works, although still expensive. package extends to grad program if you decide to stay. They make dual majors possible. The curriculum remains challenging yet with focus and determination in reach.
On the negative side, I think Arch while far from a disaster, can be a lot better. The school needs to build a stronger relationships with companies at all levels. Job fairs need to be geared for everyone. They do some career building well, but imho, esp with the student profile, they need to focus more on communication and interview skills. Not just RPI, but how to position for employment starts way before senior year. Lastly, the school has to work on male : female ratio. Little / no improvement as far as I see, especially in a world where women in STEM is a reality. In the alternation maybe recruit more for the business and architecture schools. Lastly, AP credit criteria should be reviewed. AP is very helpful, but many only get credit with a 5. In fairness any AP will give you s leg up.
As far as ARCH, it was during COVID and with a serious offer in hand for a top company for his major, the summer requirement was waived. Friends who did summer ARCH were fine, especially after the offered classes was adjusted.
two other comments:
positive :off campus housing which you can do after 2nd year(?) is a real money saver. plenty of housing just off campus.
neg :bus system is not reliable.
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Correction - bus system is reliable and well run. my exposure was limited and per my son not reflective of the day to day operation.
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