Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Reviews

Campus regulations prohibit the...

Campus regulations prohibit the use of alcohol on campus unless you are in your own dorm and are at least 21. This is fairly strictly enforced; however, there is a pub on campus that is always packed for happy hour on Fridays for those over 21. There are about 30 RPI fraternities, and at least one or two of them host big parties on weekends. There is always some sort of drinking occurring on or near campus on the weekends. Drugs are another story. RPI is very strict about the use of illegal substances on school property, so there aren't too many incidences of drug use.

Troy winters are long, cold, and...

Troy winters are long, cold, and snowy. RPI does not cancel classes, so be prepared to walk to class in any weather. Snow can come as early as October and as late as May. Summers are hot and muggy, and spring and fall are rainy. It often feels like the seasons go right from summer to winter, with only a few pleasant days in between. The first and last few weeks of the year can be very warm, you will need summer clothes. You'll will also need your heaviest coat for the winters.

It gets cold—bring boots and warm...

It gets cold—bring boots and warm clothing. Troy isn't a joy when it comes to weather. Expect a 65-degree, sun-kissed day to be followed by a below-freezing, sleeting and storm-ridden tomorrow.

Troy apartments are usually kinda...

Troy apartments are usually kinda sketchy, but the prices are far better than on-campus housing. I've remained with my fraternity, though.

RPI Shuttles are relatively decent...

RPI Shuttles are relatively decent when it comes to getting around campus, and the local CDTA bus system isn't anything to complain about. It's nothing spectacular, but it's not particularly a problem.

The campus isn't particularly...

The campus isn't particularly strict with regulations involving independent, non-Greek students. However, regulations become far more strict when it comes to fraternities and sororities.

Public Safety does its best to...

Public Safety does its best to break up a frat party if it isn't registered. If an RA calls in a report on drugs or drinking, you can expect to be sent to the Dean of Students Office. It doesn't happen often, though. If you are 21, you can drink in your dorm but not if you are going to disturb other residents. Basically, do what you want but be smart enough to be discrete about it, or you going to have trouble.

There aren't really parties on...

There aren't really parties on campus, but you can usually find a good party at one of the frat houses near campus. Girls can almost always get free drinks for flashing a smile. If you are underage and don't have a fake ID, your best bet is a frat.

When the weather is bad—and it...

When the weather is bad—and it usually is—you are going to want a heavy coat. When you are up on the side of a hill, some buildings act like wind tunnels. There is maybe a month and a half at the beginning of the fall and end of the spring semester when the weather is really nice, otherwise you don't really see the sun often.

Sage Dining Hall is far better...

Sage Dining Hall is far better than Commons. Overall, most people think that meal plans are overpriced and not worth it.

Troy is a kind of quiet town....

Troy is a kind of quiet town. There are some good restaurants and some places to party. The general consensus is that "there's nothing to do in Troy," which is not necessarily true. My favorite things are the farmers' market every Saturday and neat antique stores.

From my experience, if you are...

From my experience, if you are underage and drink in the residence halls, you're screwed. Off-campus parties are usually busted if they are loud, but most people get off the hook because they are just told to leave the party. However, if you are walking home plastered and a Public Safety car stops you, you're screwed.

The Red Hawk Shuttle runs fairly...

The Red Hawk Shuttle runs fairly frequently around campus and is very convenient. Off campus, the CDTA system is a little less reliable and can make trips that would otherwise take five minutes turn into an hour.

There aren't a whole lot of good...

There aren't a whole lot of good restaurants nearby, but you can find a few gems. Big Apple Pizza is practically on campus and is open late. Within walking distance is Brown's, a brewpub that has great burgers and even better craft-brewed beer. There are some coffeehouses in downtown Troy, but you need to be brave enough to explore the area.

It’s mostly male, lots of Asians,...

It’s mostly male, lots of Asians, Indians, few blacks— mostly well-off kids.

I guess the main thing to know is...

I guess the main thing to know is that RPI is about 75 percent guys, 25 percent girls—everyone calls it ‘the ratio,’ and it can make some guys desperate and some girls really nasty. The students are definitely far too diverse to put under a general category, though. As you’d expect at any tech school, however, there are a lot of ‘dorky’ people—and I use dorky in the gentlest sense of the word. You’ll find people with all sorts of eccentricities and idiosyncrasies. Believe me when I say there are all types of people on the campus. Whether you are the large football player type or the silent, quiet type, you’re bound to find them somewhere. Girls are the same way, just fewer in number. A lot of the girls are nice, but some can get big heads considering the ratio. Fortunately, I’d say most of the girls are hot.

Well, there are tons of guys; the...

Well, there are tons of guys; the odds are getting better, though. One of the biggest sayings on campus by girls is ‘The odds are good but the goods are odd.’ There are many strange guys, and you’ll most likely run into them a lot. But there are some really good-looking guys and a lot of nice guys.

There is a very disturbing mix of...

There is a very disturbing mix of kids here. Many are very sheltered, technical, computer people, along with the little art groups of people who seem to stand out a lot.

Guys vary. There are a ton of...

Guys vary. There are a ton of computer nerds who lack social skills. Then again, there are a lot of cool guys as well. The same goes for girls, except there are quite a few less. Many of the girls, though, get ‘RPI syndrome,’ which means that they get used to being in demand, and then act like they are God’s gift to the world and treat guys like crap. That’s definitely not everyone, but it happens a lot.

I would rank the food on campus as...

I would rank the food on campus as average—some days, it’s really good while others, you have to stick salads, burgers, or pizza. At the smaller dining hall in the middle of campus, there is a guy called Tofu Tim who makes a different dish everyday and is usually excellent.

Guys: Well, some are hot, and some...

Guys: Well, some are hot, and some are a bit on the nerdy side, but all in all, there are guys to meet everywhere you go and tons of them. Some are jerks and just want to hook up, yet some are genuinely sweet and would make the best boyfriend or best friend. It’s a good mix. Girls: For the most part, they are down-to-earth and nice and friendly, but then some girls get territorial about what fraternities they hang out at. Some girls spend tons of time getting ready, while others roll out of bed and go to class. It’s a good mix, and all in all, people are nice and sweet, and everyone is willing to help you.

The guys run the gamut from jerk...

The guys run the gamut from jerk to jock, but overall tend to be a little on the geeky side, with some being non-geeks and some total-geeks. RPI is known for its academics, and engineering and attracts more than it’s share of nerds. Girls are rumored to attend RPI, but sightings are rare and often frightening. Geeks and girls don’t seem to mix.

Tons of guys, lots of computer...

Tons of guys, lots of computer geeks or athletic meatheads, and still a few good guys to go around. Girls are nice until about week three when they realize they don’t have to try to be nice in order to get attention (due to the fact that less than 25 percent of the students are female). The few attractive girls usually go for the meatheads, and some of the guys end up dating girls from Russell Sage College located nearby.

Hockey is fairly popular, but...

Hockey is fairly popular, but sports are not a large aspect of RPI. Students would get more recognition for winning at a LAN party than a football game.

I absolutely love RPI. It’s a...

I absolutely love RPI. It’s a tough school academically, but I’ve had a really good experience here so far. I was accepted at UPenn, Cornell, and WPI, but am very glad I chose RPI.