Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary studies

 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) was established in 1824 by Stephen Van Rensselaer  for the purpose of instructing persons... in the application of science to the common purposes of life". It is the oldest technological research university in USA.  RPI's motto is "Why not change the world?"

RPI was ranked 5th in USA Today List of Top Engineering Colleges in USA (2014).   In addition, US News and World Report (2014) ranked the RPI graduate engineering programme as 38th in USA and in 2013, ranked the undergraduate programme, 26th in USA.  In 2012, the Business Insider, recognised engineering at RPI by ranking RPI 4th on it's list of World's Best Engineering Schools"

The USA Today ranking is the latest recognition of the Institute’s long-held reputation as one of the nation’s top universities. U.S. News & World Report earlier this year ranked the Rensselaer graduate engineering program as 38th in the nation, and last year ranked the undergraduate engineering program as 26th in the nation. In 2012, industry-focused website Business Insider recognized engineering at Rensselaer by ranking the Institute fourth on its list of “World’s Best Engineering Schools.” - See more at: http://news.rpi.edu/content/2014/08/21/rensselaer-ranked-5th-usa-today-list-%e2%80%9ctop-10-engineering-colleges-us%e2%80%9d#sthash.kJ5MRdIj.dpuf

The USA Today ranking is the latest recognition of the Institute’s long-held reputation as one of the nation’s top universities. U.S. News & World Report earlier this year ranked the Rensselaer graduate engineering program as 38th in the nation, and last year ranked the undergraduate engineering program as 26th in the nation. In 2012, industry-focused website Business Insider recognized engineering at Rensselaer by ranking the Institute fourth on its list of “World’s Best Engineering Schools.” - See more at: http://news.rpi.edu/content/2014/08/21/rensselaer-ranked-5th-usa-today-list-%e2%80%9ctop-10-engineering-colleges-us%e2%80%9d#sthash.kJ5MRdIj.dpuf

RPI's Colleges/Schools/Departments: School of Architecture; School of Engineering, School of Humanites, Arts and Social Sciences; Lally School of Management; School of Science.

Five most popular majors: Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, and Biological Sciences/Engineering.


RPI offers accelerated degrees to give students a head start:
B.S./M.D. Physician-Scientist programme (7 year programme offered with Albany Medical College)
B.S./J.D. Management-Law programme
Co-terminal B.S./M.S. degrees
Accelerated MBA
Masters of Management in Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship
School of Science Accelerated B.S./Ph.D

Total enrollment is 6,995 and total undergraduate  enrollment is 5,379.

Total international enrollment is 15% of total student body.

Applications used: Common Application

SAT/ACT: SAT or ACT (with writing section) required.

International applicants must submit the International student financial statement along with other application materials.

Acceptance rate 41%
Mean GPA: A-/B+

Financial Aid to international students: None, with the exception of the Rensselaer Medal

View from RPI

Alumni Sports and Recreation Center

RPI offers more than 145 programmes  at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Students are encouraged to work in interdisciplinary programmes that allow them to combine scholarly work from several departments or schools. The university provides rigorous, engaging, interactive learning environments and campus-wide opportunities for leadership, collaboration, and creativity.


RPI has dramatically expanded the research enterprise by leveraging it's existing strengths and focusing on five signature research areas:biotechnology and life sciences; energy and environment; computational science and engineering;  nanotechnology and advance materials; and media arts and technology.

Notable Alumni
In 2014, RPI alumni G Reid Wiseman and Rick Mastracchio were members of the International Space station (ISS) team see video link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJl0x1SwdNU&feature=youtu.be
David L Noble  - inventor of the Floppy disk
E. Trifon Laskaris  - MRI Technology innovator
John F. Schneck - MRI Prototype Developer
Lewis B. Coombs - Co-founder of Seabees