StudentsReview :: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - How to Get into RPI (Undergraduate)
-or-
Search for Schools by Region
 

or within distance of city

Similar Schools
Rochester Institute of Technology -- Rochester, NY
Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- Cambridge, MA
Cornell University -- Ithaca, NY


  Who's got the Best?

Perceptual Rankings:
You Make 'Em.
We Post 'Em.
You Vote 'Em Up.
You Vote 'Em Down.
Aww yeah.


Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

...loading...
Your Combined ACT:
*** reported for attending students
...loading...
SAT Math + Verbal:
*** reported for attending students
Your Chances at RPI
(on ACT score alone)
Your Chances at RPI
(on SAT score alone)
Men
Women
# Applicants
11,273
4,877
# Admitted
4,377
2,277
% Admitted
38.8%
46.7%
% Overall
41.2%

Students who got into RPI:

Tips mention: Interview (3), ACT/SAT (27), Grades (29), Sports/Extracurriculars (13), College Essay (6)
Well to get in, you need to be anMay 06 2010Other
Well to get in, you need to be an academically outstanding student, because it is a top-tier school among MIT, Carnegie, Cornell, WPI, BU, (at least in terms of engineering) etc. Being in the top 10% of your class will help alot, as well as taking a handful of APs. Doing what you can to be proactive in high school is key; getting into national honors society, AP scholar, and even the RPI medal (plus helps defray tuition costs). Besides academics, its good to have a good extracurricular credentials; my advice would be to join only a few clubs and excel at them. I myself joined boy scouts, where I achieved Eagle, band, where I got to play in competitions in DC and Disney World, and WAVM radio station, where I got some experience working director/manager positions. Overall, it is good to be a well-rounded student, but also be specialized in areas you are interested in.
ACT: 26 Male
The best deal all around is RPI's medalist programNov 11 2009Nuclear Engineering
The best deal all around is RPI's medalist program. If you are the top math/science student in your high school, you can be awarded a $15,000 per year scholarship. Make sure to speak to your counselor about this very early in your junior year or even the spring of your sophomore year. The high school only gets to choose one student. If your high school does not participate get them to sign up.

When writing your college essay make sure it is personal about you and something no one else would be writing about. RPI seems to put emphasis on this component. They also require top grades and high standardized test scores. Take a SAT study course to improve test performance.

RPI has become so selective in the past couple of years, it's no wonder it's now classified as a "new Ivy." It is just as selective as Harvard or Yale, so make sure to put the same effort into your application. RPI does lower the bar a smidge if you're a girl. It is working hard at lowering the male to female ratio.
ACT: 32 SAT: 1460 Female

I graduated valedictorian from a top private college-prep highMar 26 2009Nuclear Engineering
I graduated valedictorian from a top private college-prep high school with a 3.986 GPA, had 10 AP's with an average score of 4.25 on all exams, and took advanced or honor's level courses for my remaining classes. But, this represents only one academic side of the application. Colleges want to see a well-rounded student. Therefore, I started volunteering in 7th grade. I was active in every facet of my high school from student government to school management. I held leadership positions from President of National Honor Society to Captain of my basketball team. I was active in extra-curricular activities from drama to choir. I visited RPI's campus 3 times and really knew it was a good fit for me, as I always wanted to major in engineering since I was young.

If RPI could be the college for you, don't let the negativity of others steer from from a great collegiate experience. Best of Luck!
SAT: 2180 Female

This University is heavily dependent on SAT scores, IJan 07 2008Biology
This University is heavily dependent on SAT scores, I say this because I had a 2.8 GPA (out of 4) from high school, but a very high SAT score, and so I was admitted.
SAT: 1470 Male
Keep involved in extra curricular related to your intendedJul 24 2007Aerospace Engineering
Keep involved in extra curricular related to your intended major. For example, if you want to do mechanical or systems engineering, get involved with robotics (FIRST or Vex) in high school. Good grades in more difficult and science-related classes are more effective than a general high GPA or SAT score. Also, placing out of freshman year classes with AP credit is VERY helpful.
SAT: 1300 Male
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Compare RPISave RPI

StudentsReview Advice!

• What is a good school?
• Statistical Significance
• How to choose a Major
• How to choose your Career
• What you make of it?
• How Ivy League Admissions works
• On the Student/Faculty Ratio

• FAFSA: Who is a Parent?
• FAFSA: Parent Contribution
• FAFSA: Dream out of reach

• College Financial Planning
• Survive College and Graduate
• Sniffing Out Commuter Schools
• Preparing for College: A HS Roadmap
• Talking to Your Parents about College.
• Is a top college worth it?
• Why is college hard?
• Why Kids Aren't Happy in Traditional Schools
• Essential College Tips
Ah, college. Considered by many to be the time of a young person's lif... more→
• Cost of College Increasing Faster Than Inflation
According to NPR, the cost of college... more→
• For parents filling out the FAFSA and PROFILE (from a veteran paper slinger)
Just so you know, filling out these forms is a lot more than penciling... more→
• How to choose the right college?
My name is Esteban Correa. I am currently a second year INTERNATIONAL ... more→
• Create The Right Career Habits Now
Getting ahead in your career can be easier if you make the choice to b... more→

• Senior Year (Tips and experience)
It's the end of junior year and everyone is anticipating the arrival o... more→
• Informational Overload! What Should I Look For in a College or University?
We are in an instant information age, where you can find almost anythi... more→
• Personality Type and College Choice
Personality type is something very important to consider when deciding... more→
• A Free Application is a Good Application
As a senior finishing her scholastic year, I feel that it is my duty ... more→

• College Academic Survival Guide
The leap from high school to college academics is not an insignificant... more→
• Getting Involved: The Key to College Happiness
As a tour guide, the absolute, most frequently asked question I got wa... more→
• Choose a Path, Not a Major
Unless you're one of the fortunate souls who's already found their cal... more→
• The Scoop on State Schools
A recent college graduate, I vividly remember touring campuses as a p... more→

• The Purpose of a Higher Education
You are one of the millions of people this year applying for admission... more→
• The Importance of Choosing the Right College Major (2012)
One of the most important academic choices you'll make while in colleg... more→
• How to choose a college major
I was not sure what college major to choose. When you are in your late... more→
• How to guarantee your acceptance to many colleges
Are your grades are not what you think they should be from high school... more→

• Nailing the College Application Process
College applications seem to always be put on top of students procrast... more→
• What to do for a Successful Interview
Interviews seem to become more commonplace in every facet of life as o... more→
• I Don't Know Where to Start (General College Advice)
Preparing for college is a difficult time for every student and it?s o... more→
• Attitude and Dress Code for an Interview (General College Advice)
An interview is something we all have to go through when we get a job... more→

• Starting College (General College Advice)
College is a huge milestone in your life. You?ve seen the castle like ... more→
• Boston Apartment lease: Watch out!

Are you a student and about to sign the very first lease in your li... more→

• What college is right for you?
When thinking about their choices for colleges, many students and pare... more→