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Sort By: [Date] [Major] [Rating] Computer Engineering  Major Salary, Salary Trend, Satisfaction, Unemployment Quite Bright I have been at RPI for 3 years now studying Computer Engineering and Computer Science. How I ended up at RPI is still a bit of a mystery, but despite the high tuition, financial aid is definitely available. Students at RPI are a mixed bag, but there is always a group that you will fit into. The fraternity and Sorority life can be a plus if you find one that you fit in to. Otherwise, and apartment with friends is always a good option. Dorm life is mandatory freshman year, but it will ensure that you meet lots of people and eventually find a good group of comrades. Academically speaking, RPI is the cream of the crop. You will learn everything you will ever need to know about your field (whether you want to or not) and learn to apply it in any situation. Some students feel that it may be too much theory, not enough practice, but there are many classes only focus on projects and even work for outside companies (such as IBM, GE, Lockheed Martin, etc). Also, internships and Co-Ops are plentiful if you know where to look (the career fair is always a great place to start, just be open-minded). These will ensure that you get a chance to meet a prospective employer, gain valuable experience, and make getting hired MUCH easier. Troy, NY is one of the iffy points for many students. However, recently the city has been cleaning up and lots of cool businesses are moving in downtown. A variety of ethnic food (Mexican, Indian, Thai, Chinese, etc) are within walking distance of campus (though a car is always nicer). There are several bars and hangouts downtown that tend to cater mostly to the surrounding colleges. If you can get a car, the capital region becomes very accesible. Between Albany and Saratoga, there is always something to do. Sportswise, RPI supports everything from Div-I Hockey to Intercollege tennis. Club sports include ping pong, bowling, skiing, and everything in between. Intramural sports are also a great way to meet people and have a great time during the semester. All-in-all, RPI is a great school with a great history. Social life may not be as intense as other schools, but you can always find something fun. Education Quality: A+, Social Life: C Have a Question? Your Response/Question:     To be informed when someone replies to your comment. (private)  More →  Jul 07 2008 3rd Year Male -- Class 2009    Forward  Blog it! Blog about this comment from your webpage or Blog, or MySpace account: Just copy and paste! <script src='sr_comment.js?sckey=51778&uid=982'></script> <a href='http://www.studentsreview.com' style='font-size:8pt;'>Data Source: StudentsReview!</a> Rate this comment: Useless (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Helpful       Save   Unknown  Major Salary, Salary Trend, Satisfaction, Unemployment Bright I have been out for 5 years (class of 2003) with a Electrical Engineering degree and have to say that there are positives and negatives to an RPI education - and I still can't tell you what outweighs what. RPI was strong on fundamentals: calc, difiq, physics, emag and theoretical stuff like signals and system good as a background for grad school. I was too hungry for some $$$ and graduating with a 3.5 did not feel like i could free ride grad school. What RPI was bad on was preparing me for real world EE work. None of my classes were thought by industry professionals just fat tenured professors who cared way too much about Laplace transforms, Z transforms, etc. The few useful courses I took were mostly from the CS department because I had a feeling that I would need to code (most EE do) to make bread. The most useful courses were the ones that were industry applicable: embedded control, C/C++, Labview, operating systems. I later used these + coop experience to land my first job. But these were just a few among many grad school prep type classes. My advice is to figure out who you want to work for early on and take classes for the job you want. EE (design) is very competitive and many applicants come prepared with a better bag of industry tools which is what some employers care about. Go on coop, talk to real engineers and master the tools: Orcad, Spice, Labview/Matlab and be good at .Net C/C++, design and prototype real circuits and layout a PCB and make sure you like this stuff I mean love it. RPI education alone makes you ready for grad school not for a job in EE unless you take steps to compliment the outdated design techniques and tools they teach (at least in 2003). As for social environment I can say that Troy sucks but it has its charm. Everything is cheap: rent, food, movies, beers, and you can ski in the winter. Don't get stuck in your room get out and chill with people with a good attitude or else RPI can break your spirits. Also take first dibs on freshmen girls as they go very very fast. If you find a good one don't let go because odds of finding another one are against you. Well that said you decide ... Useful Schoolwork: B, Surrounding City: D Have a Question? Your Response/Question:     To be informed when someone replies to your comment. (private)  More →  Jul 06 2008 4th Year Male -- Class 2003    Forward  Blog it! Blog about this comment from your webpage or Blog, or MySpace account: Just copy and paste! <script src='sr_comment.js?sckey=51616&uid=982'></script> <a href='http://www.studentsreview.com' style='font-size:8pt;'>Data Source: StudentsReview!</a> Rate this comment: Useless (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Helpful       Save   Computer Engineering  Major Salary, Salary Trend, Satisfaction, Unemployment Quite Bright In computer and systems engineering. tough program. It is the challenge that we all are looking for. It will only make you stronger in the end. The school prepares well for graduate work. I would defiantly recommend going to this school as a stepping stone to grad school. The grad programs here are excellent also and quite a bit of research. RPI has tons of clubs and activities. I was impressed. Well worth it. The only way I would turn down this school is if I would accepted into mit or cmu. Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: C Have a Question? Your Response/Question:     To be informed when someone replies to your comment. (private)  More →  Jul 04 2008 3rd Year Male -- Class 2009    Forward  Blog it! Blog about this comment from your webpage or Blog, or MySpace account: Just copy and paste! <script src='sr_comment.js?sckey=51435&uid=982'></script> <a href='http://www.studentsreview.com' style='font-size:8pt;'>Data Source: StudentsReview!</a> Rate this comment: Useless (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Helpful       Save   Other  Major Salary, Salary Trend, Satisfaction, Unemployment Super Brilliant Before Reading this review, ask yourself 1) What you want out of college 2) Where you are in life 3) Where you want to work 4) How will the economy look in 4 years. For most people the RPI environment will do more damage than good. When reading the review, try and find out if they are talking about the education or it's environment. For most people the analysis of RPI's environment results in a negative; positive when analyzing the school for it's education(not it's grading). Also look at when the reviews were written; was the review written after leaving the school in disgust, after a recent graduation, after getting a job or years latter. If you are a positive individual who will stay in the northeast and is already well rounded then RPI will provide you with the technical knowledge & networking needed to succeed - Your type will adjust and make RPI work. If you are an "Other" then RPI is not for you. Social life is very limited - The RPI version of the student union is very strong relative to other schools to make up for an isolated campus and the "ratio". At other schools, you are not forced to join the organizations or fraternities for a social life. Those with geek-ish tendencies will have a hard time saying positive things about RPI, because the reality is it wasn't a positive experience for them. This is especially true after comparing the outside world to the isolated one at RPI. In the winter, this isolation is enhanced by the weather in upper-state NY, creating a very claustrophobic atmosphere. So, much so that needy social & outdoor types will transfer the next year due to the influence this has on their Psyche & grades. Don't get me wrong, if did your own homework at RPI, you will come out with a lot of knowledge. But you wont have the social or political skills to cope in a downsizing economy. You need both knowledge and social skills. RPI does not provide a rounded education. For those individuals who came to RPI as rounded individuals, you will still be rounded when the come out and succeed. The "others" will only succeed when the economy is doing well. RPI is an IVY school for technicians. But it is not an IVY school - If you got accepted, just look at the stats; even when I went, RPI accepted at least 50%. Don't look at RPI as a substitute IVY school - It's not. It's really very simple - If you didn't get into the IVY school of your dreams - and are not a well rounded person(you know who you are) and you don't have the money - don't think about RPI. You might end up with high payments for the next 20 years - go to a state school. However, if you are technically inclined and get a full ride - do it - it's worth it. For those of you who are from a non-US high school and will return to your country, you will gain by attending RPI, because you will gain what you were seeking - Knowledge. Veterans thrive at RPI. They can deal with the work load & isolation(physical & social). RPI combined with a military record makes for a very successful individual in business. West-coasties, southerners & Midwestern types - should stay home. On a resume, RPI opens door in the Northeast and big companies. But for the rest of the country, it dosn't work ; it's not the same as an IVY, a SoCal or big 10. Now you might think the last item on my list of questions is bizarre. But here are the facts, recruiters will always recruit from true IVY schools even in a down economy. When companies are expanding and they need technical people, RPI placement is busy place. For the last 12 years RPI placement made sure you had a starting salary. But prior to this recent expansion there was a long period of decline. I knew a few students who came to RPI as freshman, and already had a job lined up taking over the family business(they got what they needed from RPI). College is supposed to round out your character, RPI just makes you arrogant in your knowledge. In some research & business organizations this works. If you have flaws in your character RPI will enhance them - But here's the problem - you probably don't know your own flaws in high school. However, you can probably say the same of any college in a small town - It's just the RPI environment is a little more intense in it's potential damage - you can't say its a kind or nurturing environment. My Background: I am a techie in Texas - but not a geek, I am also an RPI legacy - I graduated with no loans - I also did not get a single need based scholarship. Perceived Campus Safety: A+, Education Quality: D- Have a Question? Your Response/Question:     To be informed when someone replies to your comment. (private)  More →  Jun 08 2008 4th Year Female -- Class 1991    Forward  Blog it! Blog about this comment from your webpage or Blog, or MySpace account: Just copy and paste! <script src='sr_comment.js?sckey=48948&uid=982'></script> <a href='http://www.studentsreview.com' style='font-size:8pt;'>Data Source: StudentsReview!</a> Rate this comment: Useless (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Helpful       Save      Prev    Select Page:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7 ... 24    Next

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