deactivatingaccount-deactivated asked: Hello, I'm a high school senior looking into colleges, and I'm seriously considering RPI. It'd be really super fabulously awesome if you could answer some questions! Is it stupid to go to RPI and major in Social Sciences if I intend on also taking advantage of the technical aspect of the school? Do you consider the school to be diverse both in ethnicity and way of thinking? What is the LGBT community like? What about drugs and alcohol? Finally, how difficult is it to get financial aid? Thanks!
I’m glad you are looking at RPI! it’s a wonderful school.
If you plan on taking advantage of tech at any school, here is the right place. The only issue then would be money….which if it is of no consequence, then I absolutely recommend it. Otherwise, you might want to find something with an….easier budget. It also depends on what you want to do ultimately.
The school is not super ethnically diverse, but you will still see more than plenty of people from every ethnicity. There just happens to be a large white+male population, due to the engineering school. As far as way of thinking goes, RPI is the best. Rather than being competitive for grades, every works towards common goals. It is a very friendly and unique atmosphere. Also, with so many unique minds, you can really bounce ideas well, and get interesting feedback.
I don’t know a whole lot about the LGBTQ/etc, community here, but I hear it’s well accommodated. I know several members of the community, and they seem pretty happy.
Drugs and alcohol are indeed prevalent at RPI, but that is true for almost ANY college. If you want to be involved, you can be…if you don’t, it’s easy to avoid.
Financial aid. Okay. It’s….easy enough to get financial aid, but it’s almost impossible to get a full ride. If you apply for aid, and then appeal for more after getting some, it would be pretty easy to cut the price of the school in half. Some people get more, some less. Take a shot and see how much you get.
Good luck!
