Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
About
As the nation’s oldest technological research university, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York, is internationally renowned for its rigorous STEM education, anchored by its world-class School of Engineering and elite computer science programs. On campus, you will find a collaborative, maker-centric student culture where academic intensity is balanced by passionate Division I ice hockey fandom, active Greek life, and more than 200 student-run organizations. What truly sets RPI apart is "The Arch," a distinctive academic timeline where students spend the summer after their sophomore year on campus for specialized courses, freeing up a semester during their junior year to pursue high-impact, full-time co-ops, internships, or research.
Wikipedia:Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private research university in Troy, New York, United States. It is the oldest technological university in the English-speaking world and in the Western Hemisphere. Stephen Van Rensselaer and Amos Eaton established RPI in 1824 for the "application of science to the common purposes of life".
Location
Cost
Admissions
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Essay Requirements
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accepts the Common Application. All Common App schools require the personal statement essay. Some schools also require supplemental essays — check the school's page on Common App for current prompts and word limits.
See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.
Outcomes
Student Body
Programs & Earnings
Institutional
Wondering if Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the right fit for you?
Scout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.