About

See what students say:

Academics

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute may be 200 years old, but RPI always focuses on new technologies and tools to address large-scale global issues across an entire range of disciplines and perspectives. Enrollees note how this is integrated into their education, with engineering programs all including "mandatory project-based courses in each program [so students can] practice working on their teamwork and communication," and Humanities, Arts, and Social Science classes having "a STEM component intertwined." Other celebrated mainstays at RPI are its "rigorous classes and fair expectations" and "comfortable learning environment," as well as the ways in which classes are scheduled in timeand location-based clusters, so as to create smaller communities and frameworks for support and leadership. There are "some truly great resources" available to undergrads, including more than 30 research centers and over 700 labs, studios, and technology spaces on campus, as well as "plenty of opportunities for tutoring and meeting new students." In accordance with its "outstanding return on investment" and placement rate in grad schools, there is also a post-graduate development series that "helps students work toward achieving their desired career through interview preparation and other general professional skills."

Professors at RPI "are constantly looking for applications and real examples of the concepts we learn, such as companies or inventions," and "present the material in clear and convincing ways." They are "beyond accessible and willing to sit with you for hours to help in their office" and "devoted to giving the best education they can and [facilitating] meaningful discussions in the classroom." Hands-on experience is highly valued, such that "a lot of professors will encourage mini field trips to see engineering principles in action" and "very few 'lecture' classes are truly lecture classes."

Student Body

Despite the workload, there is a kind of united front and "fun camaraderie that comes from everyone having really hard classes," with everyone here "constantly collaborating and helping each other study." RPI is a STEM school, so "most students are mathand science-oriented, but pretty much everyone has interests outside of their major," and there is "a good mix of overachievers...and relaxed students just trying to graduate with a decent GPA." Students know what they're getting into at RPI-"There is a general understanding that this school is very hard and everyone is just a little worn down all of the time." But it's a decision most make with a clear and eager heart, for the environment is known to be "nerdy with the best of people," so much so that it has a distinct culture and vocabulary.

Campus Life

RPI has more than 200 clubs and organizations, including affiliations for the careerminded as well as "niche clubs for various interests [like] a Cheese Club." Though studying takes up most of the time, the school is an hour or less "from any imaginable outdoor activity possible, [including] rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, skiing, [and] mountain biking." There is also an "extremely big gaming community at RPI," and "Greek life is very strong" as well. Intramural sports are common ways to blow off steam, and "hockey and football games are highly attended."

First-years live with each other on campus, while juniors and seniors have the option of living off-campus. Clubs "are always hosting social events, from ice-cream socials to winter carnivals to musical performances and competitions," and while most students "would rather stay on campus and support one another than leave to find something to do elsewhere," many do pop over to Troy or Albany to explore bars, restaurants, and larger cultural institutions. The campus has plenty of spaces for study and hanging out, and "people can be found in every nook and cranny of campus from dawn to sunset."

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Arianna Livshits
Senior Event Planner, Undergraduate Admissions

Address
Office of Admissions
110 8th Street
Troy, NY 12180-3590

Phone
518-276-2264

Email
paluma3@rpi.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Rensselaer Union
Mueller Fitness Center
Experimental Media & Performing Arts Ctr
Houston Field House (hockey arena)
ECAV
Quiet and parklike, yet full of all the conveniences of a self-contained city, Rensselaer's 275-acre campus is a blend of modern style and classic charm. The Institute is in a period of tremendous growth, building new facilities that greatly enhance the lives of our students and faculty.

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Adirondack Mountains for hiking, skiing, camping
Lake George for water sports
Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Troy Music Hall
Albany-Troy Metro Area
Berkshires (MA)

Campus Tours

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
No

Information Sessions
Available

Times
For the health and safety of our campus community, in-person visits have been cancelled until further notice. Please visit https://apply-undergrad.rpi.edu/portal/infosession for a full listing of information session webinars, virtual information sessions, and student ambassador-led sessions that we are offering.

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
https://rpiathletics.com/staff-directory

Advance Notice
2 weeks

Contact Email Address for Visit
https://rpiathletics.com/staff-directory

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
The Albany International Airport is 10 minutes from campus. Rail service is available from the new Albany-Rensselaer train station to New York City and other major metropolitan areas. Convenient ground transportation services include taxis, bus lines, rental cars and ride-share services including Uber and Lyft

Driving Instructions to Campus
From north, east, south, or west, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is easy to reach. We are centrally located near the major highways in New York State. From the North: Take I-87, the Adirondack Northway, south to Exit 7 east. Get on Route 7 headed eastbound. Follow directions to campus (below). From the South: Take I-87, the New York State Thruway, north to exit 23. At exit 23, get on I-787 north to Route 7 East, Exit 9E. Disregard the sign for Rensselaer and Russell Sage College at the previous exit. Exit 9E, Route 7 east, provides an easier approach to campus. Follow directions to campus (below). From the East: Take I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike, Berkshire Spur of the New York Thruway), to exit B1. Continue west (13.5 miles) to I-787 north to Route 7 east, exit 9E. Disregard the sign for Rensselaer and Russell Sage College at the previous exit. Exit 9E, Route 7 east, provides an easier approach to campus. Follow directions to campus (below). From the West: Take I-90, the New York State Thruway, to exit 24. From exit 24, take I-87 north, exit 1N, to exit 7 east. Follow directions to campus (below). Directions to Campus: Cross the Collar City Bridge and follow signs for Route 7, Hoosick Street. At the 4th traffic light, turn right onto 15th Street. You will know you're at Rensselaer when you see the large RENSSELAER sign in granite at the intersection of 15th Street and Sage Avenue. Make a left at the third traffic light onto Sage Avenue. The Admissions Building will be directly in front of you. Bear to the left of the building onto Eaton Road. The parking lot will be on your right, directly behind the Admissions Building.

Local Accommodations
The following hotels are located within a short drive from campus: Best Western Plus Franklin Square Inn (One Fourth Street, Troy, NY 12180) Phone: 518-274-8800. Courtyard by Marriott Albany/Troy Waterfront (515 River Street, Troy, NY 12180) Phone: 518-240-1000. Hilton Garden Inn (235 Hoosick Street, Troy, NY 12180) Phone: 518-272-1700.

Admissions

Applicants: 15,938
Acceptance Rate: 59%
Average HS GPA: 3.80






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