Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Reviews

Computers Are Everywhere

Everyone has their own laptop because of the excellent program the school has and then they still have plenty of other computers to use. The computer center has long hours and every minute of those hours usually sees at least 50 people in there using a computer despite having their own. It's very convenient because it's not completely necessary to carry around a laptop and despite there always being so many people, you can usually find an open seat or two. Not to mention the help desk that is there for any issues with your computer.

RPI Nightlife

RPI makes partying very safe. People walk in groups and really take care of each other. There are always designated drivers. There's no peer pressure to drink or smoke (about 26% of the student body doesn't drink and I'm one of them). The Fraternities and Sororities are really good about under aged drinking,and anytime there is under age drinking theirs always people to watch out for you and make sure you don't over do it. There are a lot of dances, game nights, movie nights too no drinking and still a lot of fun.

Academics

RPI has many great academic programs. There are also many resources in place such as free counseling and free 24/7 tutoring. The Student Union is really liberal in the way it is run...pretty much anyone can make a club and there are numerous activities which you can join.

What Girls?

Obviously, the ratio at RPI is a common topic of discssion. It usually bothers guys more than it does girls, though. If you are female, you tend to be blessed with the ability to get into any party you want.

Bad on-campus dining

The food is extremely overpriced and low-quality. There are few healthy food options. On-campus dining has limited hours. Having to eat in the dining halls 10-15 times per week is a depressing experience.

Not Part of the a Team

For years the school's hockey team was simply known as "The Engineers". Stereotypes of engineer's athletic prowess definitely apply. Yet, the school does have a booming intermural sports subculture and school spirit is high.

Dr. Jackson's Iron Fist

RPI doesn't see a lot of misbehavior that would call for unnecessary strictness so this is a difficult question to answer. On April 20th, (the well known day of marijuana smoking) campus security stood by while over a hundred students lit up their joints and let it happen. On any other day they are extremely strict about on campus smoking of any kind. Most of the strictness comes from our president who is constantly taking away freedoms older students used to enjoy, like using your housing scholarship off campus and not being forced to live in a dorm first and second years.

Sage

Everyone eats at Sage dining hall because it is the most convenient. However, the McNeil Room in the Union has the best food.

Weed and Beer

While you don't see many people doing the hard core drugs, weed is definitely prevalent on campus. Drinking is also a huge part of life here.

Pretty Good Party Scene

Straight up, if youre reading this, you want a party school. Rpi, for a mid size school, and a reputable one at that, has a good party scene. there are several parties every friday and saturday, but with a catch, theyre at frat houses so you have to be greek or know a brother to get in, but ladies always get in. However, if you do get in its always a good time. theres occasionally things during the week if youre really itching for a party but not enough to ruin your school work. outside greeks though theres several bars off campus one of which really serves college students. no clubs really though, but the frat life provides enough beverages and dancing to make up. Overall, really good

Quad

I have lived in quad a year and will be living there again next year. The rooms are not the largest on campus and are kind of tight but it is college. However, quad is one of the oldest buildings on campus and it has tons of character and the dorm setup makes it feel much more like an apartment than a dorm with long white hallways. I've always found it a very social setup and it has provided me with good friends and good memories. Quad is also right next to one of the best dining halls and the closest to classes. With heating and ac too, I think it's the best place to live on campus.

Geeky at Its Heart

Despite the downsides of cost and an administration that doesn't listen well to its students and faculty (they disbanded the faculty senate, by the way), RPI has tons of culture.

There's over 160 of clubs around campus, I believe Princeton Review ranks RPI at the top in terms of that, so you'll undoubtedly find something that piques your interest.

RPI is primarily an engineering school, as you should know, so we are mostly geeks and nerds here. Though some of us are more sociable than others, there are certainly a select few misfits, and they find their group of friends, too.

Unlike the stereotype of Ivy Leagues and upper-league schools a lot of us were turned down from, we have a very active social atmosphere with a student union that's always busy, a campus that's always alive, and in a city with a great little downtown, despite its reputation. And of course we all keep our balance between this and our academic life, just as our campus is divided between dorms and academic buildings.

While it sure would've been nice to be at MIT, I don't know if I could imagine myself at any other school now.

Greeks Are Welcome!

Being exposed to Greek life at RPI has shown me the many positives it has on the community and the students. I'm not affiliated with any fraternity, but I don't mind visiting them every now and then. Greek life doesn't dominate the campus at all; it just provides us, the students, with extra services if you want them. From food, charity events, and parties, Greeks are a great addition to the RPI community.

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.

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.

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.