My child is at RIT. It has been a great fit. He has his first coop for the fall and plenty of interest from employers and offers. The classes are challenging but professors seem supportive. The kids there are great. It has been a great social fit for my somewhat nerdy kid.

For RPI. Check with parents of current students to see if morale (amount students and faculty) has improved under the new President. The former President was President about 6 years too long.

Is the Rensselaer Medal still a thing? This may be old information. Find out if your high school participates. Nice scholarship awarded per high school. Research while your student is a JR because the nomination is early in Sr Yr.

Anonymous wrote:Have you also considered WPI? I associate the three of those schools together.

WPI is the best choice of the 3, much better overall than the others. Better location, better school, just a better vibe

looks like weather is a serious issue! thanks for the inputs

I was talking to an RPI parent last week. He said his kid hates the town (Troy) and the winter was grim. He joined a frat that, of all things, has a mandatory study group in which the older students (who have taken the classes already) help out the younger students. That sounded pretty awesome!

If you're looking at RPI, you should also look at Clarkson. It's a smaller, friendlier option.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter was seriously considering RIT until she saw the 4 year and 6 year graduation rates being under 50%. That just seems ridiculous.

The stats I found suggest a six year graduation rate between mid 60 and mid 80 percent with an average around mid 70 percent.

Some of RIT’s programs are five years with the co-op component so a four year graduation rate is less meaningful.

At least in Engineering it is not a school where students can just cruise once they’re in; the material is tough and the workload is demanding.

I suspect but have no specific evidence other than what seems a fairly high admit rate that RIT may be more willing than average to let students on the borderline try to succeed rather than rejecting them outright.

The location is kind of isolated. The campus is, for better or worse, more modern than traditional. If you’re from FL the winter may be striking. For someone from around here is is not like moving to the Yukon.

Have you also considered WPI? I associate the three of those schools together.

Anonymous wrote:Both schools appear to have a strong STEM program with a focus on internships etc.

Any feedback from folks whose kids went here? How much of an issue is the weather and upstate NY location?

Bigger than you can ever imagine if you suffer from seasonal depression. These were my top two choices and I went to one and was miserable. I grew up in a similar area and didn’t know I was so affected by the weather until after college and moving here. It’s very depressing to go weeks or months and not see the sun. Other than that, both have solid programs. RPI is smaller and was more intense back then, with a slightly better engineering reputation but this was a long time ago. RIT was larger and had more variety of people. Both were in fairly isolated areas.

My DH (originally from the DC area, back when we used to actually get winter) went to RPI and says the winters were MISERABLE. He hated it. Do not discount the weather. If you’re deciding between acceptances for this year it’s too late, but if you have a junior or below, I’d recommend visiting during the winter at least once to see what you’re in for.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter was seriously considering RIT until she saw the 4 year and 6 year graduation rates being under 50%. That just seems ridiculous.

wow, seems super low given how expensive it is.

My daughter was seriously considering RIT until she saw the 4 year and 6 year graduation rates being under 50%. That just seems ridiculous.

We toured a few years ago (but student did not end up in either place). Both are great schools, strong academics, etc. Thought the RIT campus and location were much nicer. But again, no direct experience with either school.

Both schools appear to have a strong STEM program with a focus on internships etc.

Any feedback from folks whose kids went here? How much of an issue is the weather and upstate NY location?