火爆社区

Students name Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute鈥檚 academic rigor as one if its greatest strength, saying that they both 鈥渨ant to be challenged鈥� and desire the 鈥渕any cutting-edge research opportunities.鈥� For example: 鈥淚 can help run a fully functioning critical nuclear reactor, use one of the strongest linear particle accelerators in the nation, and so much more as an undergraduate.鈥� The trade-off is a tricky school-life balance, with one enrollee describing time spent studying as 鈥渁lmost the equivalent of a full-time job.鈥� That said, 鈥渢here are many supports for students who may need extra help,鈥� and the school 鈥渨ill not let you fall behind.鈥� There are 鈥渧ery strong鈥� tutoring services available and 鈥渢he counseling center is great.鈥� Students appreciate the chance to learn from professors with 鈥渞eal-world experiences.鈥� Many of the professors are at the top of their field, and students have the opportunity to work with them on 鈥渁mazing research projects.鈥� This prepares RPI graduates 鈥渢o exceed expectations [in] any opportunities we may pursue.鈥� As one student sums up, 鈥淓veryone here makes you work hard, but that pushes you to definite success.鈥�

This school is 鈥渢ruly brewing with amazing people.鈥� Many students affectionately describe their peers as nerds鈥攏ot in a negative sense, 鈥渂ut more toward the sheer dedication they put towards what matters to them.鈥� That means that 鈥渢here is a niche for everyone to find鈥� where 鈥測ou can be yourself and people won鈥檛 judge.鈥� As one undergrad puts it, 鈥淸We] are unapologetically ourselves in every aspect of our lives, from the way we dress to the way we speak.鈥� It鈥檚 an environment where 鈥渘early everybody has their own special interests and an avenue to pursue them.鈥� Given the challenging academics, it鈥檚 understandable that students here 鈥渢ake a great deal of pride in their work鈥� and 鈥渟pend countless hours studying and refining [their] study habits.鈥� There is 鈥渘o sense of cutthroat competitiveness;鈥� overall, it鈥檚 a 鈥渧ery collaborative and supportive鈥� group. There is a wide 鈥渧ariety of personalities,鈥� and students find their peers to be 鈥渧ery sociable,鈥� even though many define themselves as introverts. RPI has 鈥渁 really nice sense of community鈥� full of people who 鈥渁re kind, funny, and motivated.鈥�

One student captures the campus vibe, saying, 鈥淚 wish I could clone myself just so I can partake in a fraction of the amount of things the school has to offer.鈥� There is plenty to do on this 鈥渧ery beautiful and very walkable鈥� campus. Many students enjoy STEM-focused clubs, such as the Flying Club for aviation enthusiasts, Rensselaer Rocketry for building rockets, and Engineers Without Borders, which 鈥渇ocuses on sustainable engineering projects to help underdeveloped communities (locally and internationally).鈥� There are many activities for outdoorsy students, such as wilderness excursions, birdwatching, and skiing. The campus also boasts a thriving college radio station, providing 鈥渇ree self-expression鈥� through 鈥渓ess conventional鈥� content. Each week, weather permitting, you might witness a lively game of Humans Versus Zombies, similar to tag, that鈥檚 鈥渧ery fun鈥� and brings students together. Students also enjoy crafting at The Forge, a makerspace equipped with tools like a 3D printer, laser cutter, and sticker maker. On the weekends, students can head to downtown Troy for the farmer鈥檚 market, which features 鈥渁 lot of well-made items and delicious food.鈥� Whether you鈥檙e an 鈥渋ncessant party animal鈥� or someone who is 鈥減assionate about their work,鈥� there鈥檚 plenty to do.

RPI is all about ensuring every student gets legitimate experience in his or her field of study as soon as possible, and looks to 鈥渆quip each student with the skills needed to be a valuable member of any research team or company.鈥� The focus on problem-solving and 鈥渙pportunities to be involved in hands-on research鈥� are just two of the ways the school accomplishes this, and 鈥渢he research buildings are amazing.鈥� The RPI name has a great reputation with science and tech employers, and many take part in co-ops throughout the academic year. The Center for Career and Professional Development maintains JobLink, an online job recruiting and posting system, offers career programming tailored to your class year, and hosts a Spring Career Fair. Fifty-one percent of the RPI graduates who visited PayScale.com reported feeling that their jobs had a high level of meaningful impact on the world, and brought in a median starting salary of $72,600.