A legacy-driven media platform documenting Korean excellence in culture, economy, and identity
By Kim Hee-jun
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), while not widely known in Korea or among the Korean community, ranks alongside prestigious institutions like MIT, Cornell, and Carnegie Mellon among incoming applicants. Located in Troy, New York, this 275-acre campus boasts a rich history dating back to the Industrial Revolution, originally founded to produce skilled civil engineers.
Established in 1824 by Stephen Van Rensselaer as the 'Rensselaer School,' it later became known as the 'Rensselaer Institute' in 1833, before adopting its current name in 1861. RPI emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging students to engage in research, invention, and discussions. Notably, alumnus Benjamin Franklin Greene, who later became president, introduced a European-inspired academic system that advanced the institution's engineering programs. Today, RPI continually invests in scientific research and graduate studies in its quest to reclaim the title of America's top engineering school.
RPI operates campuses in New York, Hartford, and Groton, offering a wide range of programs across its Schools of Architecture, Engineering, Humanities/Arts/Social Sciences, Science, and Management. The institute is especially renowned for its mechanical engineering, computer science, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, and aerospace engineering departments. With a strong emphasis on practical applications, RPI graduates are highly sought after by employers, achieving impressive employment rates.
The institute collaborates academically with Albany Medical College, Columbia Law School, and Cornell Law School, offering accelerated degree programs allowing students to earn medical and law degrees in seven and six years, respectively.
Over 70% of RPI students rank in the top 10% of their high school class, with an average GPA of 3.8 out of 4.0. SAT scores range between 1320 and 1480 annually. International applicants must meet English proficiency standards, submitting TOEFL scores of at least 88 or an IELTS score of 7.0. Transfer students are required to provide transcripts from previous academic institutions, though TOEFL submission is waived if two or more years have been completed at a U.S. college.
About 60% of undergraduates reside on campus, with the first two years mandating on-campus living. The student body includes 60% from out-of-state and comprises 80% Caucasians, with Asians making up 10%. The international student population, including Koreans, is on the rise. RPI's ice hockey team has twice won national championships, contributing to the institute's pride alongside a renowned ski club. Additionally, music associations on campus host diverse concerts as part of a cultural engagement project connecting the community, artists, and RPI.
According to the Rensselaer Alumni Association, over 100,000 alumni reside in the U.S., with approximately 5,000 abroad. Prominent inventors and pioneers from RPI include Allen B. Dumont, creator of the first commercial television, Steve Sasson, inventor of the digital camera, Raymond Tomlinson, developer of the first email system, and Curtis Priem of NVIDIA, who created the first graphics processor.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates have made significant contributions to major technological advancements.
The IELTS, jointly managed by the British Council, the University of Cambridge, and Australia’s IDP Education, assesses English proficiency for non-native speakers. Over 2,000 U.S. universities officially recognize the IELTS for admissions, with 2.2 million candidates taking the test annually worldwide. Tuition at RPI is approximately $45,000 annually, with an estimated total of $65,000 including accommodation and additional fees. Scholarships totaling $100,000 are available for students excelling in science and mathematics. However, international students should carefully consider additional living expenses as RPI tends not to offer scholarships to them.
