By Alex Shevtsova

“Where are you from?” a girl with straight blond hair asks us, taking a sip of coffee in the RPI dining hall with her friend.

“Erm…. We are from CATS Boston…,” I answer hesitatingly.

“Which college is that?” she asks, exchanging perplexed looks with her friend.

“It’s a high school.” We burst into laughter.

“Ah, right,” she smiles. Her friend smiles too.  “Planning to apply?”

A short conversation with these RPI students enriched us with information about the 6th best engineering college in the U.S. The students we met were taking chemical and biological engineering classes, and they were happy to know that some of us wanted to as well. “It is probably the best school for research possibilities,” they said. “ And for all types of inspiration.”

 

We looked around. Located in Troy, New York, RPI University is gracefully enclosed in the nearby hills and overlooks the Hudson River–a spectacular view for nature lovers.

This picturesque place looked empty the chilly early morning we arrived, but it took just a moment to come alive. When we went inside, we saw a Video Game Competition, full of glowing screens and moving joysticks. RPI students create an atmosphere within the university walls and we, as potential new students, were encouraged to contribute to it.

We passed through the hall and exited on the other side of the building. The ‘86 Field divided the campus in two – the research centers and recreation. Opinions were divided on which side to choose. The neutral direction went right in front of the Computer Center, to the west from the Field; the library was quiet and almost empty. I joined my friends with an atlas, exploring the terrain and looking at others who were playing chess on an antiquated coffee table.

For quite a while, we lingered smelling the old books, watching the wind burying massive buildings in leaves outside, and wondering how many things can come together in one amazing place. Artistic inspiration, a calm, educational atmosphere, a cozy family spirit, and incredible sport facilities. This is what we saw that day.

This is what we saw at RPI: