Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN, USA

Reviews

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Jacob from New Castle, IN

a current student here
21 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
If you are looking for a college that have everything you will need for a career in Science, Math, Engineering, or Technology Rose-Hulman has a course for everything.
Am enjoying being here
Campus life is amazing. The faculty and the students work really hard to make sure that the incoming freshman have fun and make friends while teaching about the school and residence life. I have never seen people get along so well so quickly.
Bang for the buck
It is a very expensive school but have several opportunities for aid. If there isn't a program at the school that you are interested in they will help you find a program outside the school. All of the technology is top of the line so that after graduation you are immediately ready to begin your career. Rose also has a job placement rate like you wouldn't believe. Companies come from all over for a Rose graduate. If you are having trouble with your work you can go to tutors, homework help lines, learning centers, and both the teachers and students are more than willing to help.
Tips for prospective students
Get involved.
Great for these types of students
Leaders, innovators, and people who want to make a difference in the world.

Ranjana from Centennial, CO

a current student here
13 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
They accept a lot of AP/IB credit, so you're not relearning anything (if you don't want to, of course. There is always the option to start at the beginning and lay a good foundation, which a lot of students chose to do). The best thing about Rose-Hulman is how they teach the information - it's about the theory AND the application. Often times, in higher math and science courses, the real-world implications of what you're learning can be lost in the fast pace. It's tough, but at Rose they fit it all in there and you end up learning a ton more once the quarter is over.
Am enjoying being here
It's important to understand that this school is not for someone looking for a larger state school. It's only about 2,000 students for an undergraduate education - but if a close-knit community with emphasis on teaching and creating a network of support and understanding is something you want in a college (as I do), Rose is definitely for you. The Rose staff are always friendly and are never curt. They always want to help and are there for you - this includes faculty, staff and other students (especially in the residence halls). You are surronded by people who enjoy the same types of things you do.
Bang for the buck
It's expensive, but when you think about the career placement (close to 100% within 1 year of graduating) and the return on that investment, it becomes worth it.
Tips for prospective students
1) Visit the campus. If you're not into the smaller campus and small student body, you'll know after visiting. Conversely, if you're not sure about what type of campus you're looking for, visiting will really help. Take AP and IB courses and really challenge yourself to prepare for the workload.
Great for these types of students
Kids who love (and understand) 'The Big Bang Theory', Star Wars, and Battlestar Galactica.

Arielle from East Chicago, IN

a current student here
8 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
You will learn everything you need to know to be successful in any of the math, science, or engineering fields offered at Rose-Hulman.
Am enjoying being here
Very friendly and personal environment. However if you are looking for the big-college experience, consider how important that is to you before making the decision to attend.
Bang for the buck
Rose-Hulman is definitely expensive, however the personal attention, small classes, and career services department make it all worth it.
Tips for prospective students
Consider what you really would like your college experience to be like before you make your college experience. Rose-Hulman is a great Institution, but it is not for everyone.
Great for these types of students
Students who are really interested in math, science and engineering because no other types of majors are offered. Students who would enjoy the small campus atmosphere.

Jessica from Huntsville, AL

a current student here
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Rose-Hulman is a great school for those students who love to learn! You really can't ask for teachers who are more sincerely interested in not only the classroom topics but also the lab sessions.
Am enjoying being here
This institute has a truly unique environment in which learning has the utmost importance but is also healthily balanced by the several IM sports and clubs to join.
There is always somewhere on campus where you can get free food (which is important for us poor college kids) and join in fun activities.
Bang for the buck
Being #1 (US News and World Report) pretty much guarantees a shocking price tag but after the Grants and Merit scholarships you are automatically applied for with your acceptance you are looking at a much more reasonable number.
The available student employment options are very attractive for those of us who don't wish to work off campus but still want walking around money.
All of the professors have their doctorates and are always available and helpful outside the classroom. The normal class sizes are around 25 people and the one on one time is a definite plus. I really have utilized the on campus learning center where they have available to all students exams and tests from previous years. I found these extremely helpful when studying.
Tips for prospective students
Petition the Financial Aid Office to review your aid package.
Try to get work opportunity.
Great for these types of students
Eager young minds

Jeremy from Greencastle, IN

a current student here
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The professors here are incredible. It is very rare where I have a teacher that I am not a fan of. The professors are always in their office and will drop whatever they are doing to help with questions. 100 times better than my high school teachers
Am enjoying being here
For the most part the people here are great. It is not hard to find great friends. The campus is beautiful and there are always intramural sports going on. I was on 15 teams this past year. I love it.
Tips for prospective students
Come to Rose! It may be a little intimidating at first but it doesn't take long to get accustomed to the work load of this top tier college.

Candice from Jasper, IN

a current student here
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Rose-Hulman is definitely a fast-paced school! This means I am learning a lot fast. Sometimes it feels like we are moving too quickly, but there are plenty of opportunities to get homework help! The Learning Center is open all week (during the day and in the evening). There you will find tutors that are able to help you understand the homework you're having trouble with.
Am enjoying being here
There are tons of different clubs and activities you can get involved in which is great because it gives you a chance to do something other than homework! However one of the best things about Rose is the feeling of community. Everyone is so nice and helpful. We even have what we call 'open door' policy which basically means everyone leaves their dorm doors open. This isn't required but it helps build the sense of community and since we have such a small, close-knit community things are rarely stolen.
Bang for the buck
I love Rose-Hulman, but I will admit it is expensive to attend. It feels worth the money for me because it is a prestigious school and upon graduation I will be able to attain a career to pay off my loans. I also love the school's environment and the availability of homework help and tutors.
Tips for prospective students
Be ready to work hard! Rose-Hulman can be a lot of fun, but you have to commit a lot of time and effort into your schoolwork. A lot of students that attend Rose didn't have to try very hard to make A's in high school. That changes when you get to Rose.
Great for these types of students
-Students wanting to pursue engineering
-Students interested in math and science
-Students that prefer a small school / close community

Emily from West Chester, OH

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Rose is a home away from home for everyone who attends. It is a small school, and we are all one huge family.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure you visit colleges that you are considering. My visit to campus is what sold me on Rose-Hulman. Also, for juniors, consider looking into Operation Catapult, a summer program for rising seniors, to get a real Rose-Hulman experience.
Academic Rigor
Rose is a very tough school, but everyone here wants you to succeed and is willing to do whatever they can to help you.
Dorm Life
Residence Hall staff is amazing, and that makes res life absolutely fantastic! They help you get integrated into the school, and your floor-mates become some of your best friends.
Food and Dining
There is a Subway and Noble Romans on campus. The food in the dining hall is okay, but not great.
What to do for fun
There is a movie theater and a mall in town, along with a children's museum, an art museum, and many other fun things to do. It seems small, but you can always find things to do. There is also almost always something fun going on around campus, and Indianapolis and Bloomington are just about an hour away for day trips.
Bang for the buck
It is a little pricey, but many students are able to get scholarships to help with the price. Rose also has almost a 100% placement within the first year after graduation, which is almost unheard of. Between the experience and the placement rate, it is definitely worth the money.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Each year the freshman build a large homecoming bonfire (google them!) and the sophomores try to tear it down. The freshman take turns at night guarding the bonfire, which is a fun bonding experience for all of the freshman.
Great for these types of students
Nerds! Anyone who wants to major in engineering or science, and enjoys having fun.
Clubs and Activities
There are so many clubs and activities around campus, I'm sure I haven't even heard of some of them. Also, if there isn't a club that you are interested in, you can start your own! The worst part about the clubs and activities is picking which ones to join because there are so many options.
Greek Life
There are 8 fraternities and 3 sororities on campus. Greek life is different here then it is at larger schools, and a large amount of students are involved in Greek life. It is a great way to meet new people, get involved on campus, and really add to your overall college experience.
Campus Safety
I have never felt unsafe on this campus, even when walking around alone at 2am (really, it's that safe!) Public safety is available 24/7, but I'm sure they get bored because nothing ever happens.

Ariella from Lincolnwood, IL

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Rose-Hulman is definitely a place where you'll find other nerdy and eager to learn people like yourself. This school is good at pushing you to physical and mental limits and challenging yourself to the extreme. There are so many opportunities for you at this school as long as you're willing to partake and take advantage of what this school has to offer.
Tips for prospective students
If you're looking for an easy and partying college experience, this is NOT the place for you. You come to this school to work your butt off, but once you're out, everything else is easy--even grad school!

Although this school is very expensive, as long as you're passionate about what you're studying and want to do what you study when you graduate, don't worry about the money. You'll make it back and then some.

Be prepared to get creative for fun, as Rose is in the middle of Terre Haute, Indiana. Having a car/knowing someone with a car (trust me, people will have cars as freshman) is a huge plus because then you have lots of freedom to go wherever you want.

I hope you enjoyed a bell schedule, quarters, and classes everyday in high school (unless you were on a block schedule). Rose has 9 periods during the day and freshman courses are 5 days a week. You normally won't have 9 straight periods of classes unless yo're trying to graduate early or double major. You get breaks and pick what times you want classes (usually). As you move into higher level classes, they are only 3 or 4 days a week, sometime even 1 or 2. You can pick your professors and classes and you'll usually get what you want.
Academic Rigor
If you thought high school was hard, this is like high school on steroids and then some. You have to be brave enough to ask questions, whether it's in class, out of class, or just asking other people in your residence hall. The professors are super nice and will almost always be willing to answer questions. I have not yet had a professor not willing to help me out (and I've been through 4 quarters).

Classes are hard, there's no getting around that. Don't assume any class is going to be an easy A because, odds are, it's not going to be like that.
Dorm Life
Dorm life is pretty great. The SAs and RAs are usually pretty great at getting you involved in activities and helping you in any situation possible. By the end of freshman year, you'll be pretty close with most people in your dorm or floor, depending on how big your res hall is. Most people you live with are awesome and from all around the country/world. After freshman year, you get multiple roommates and can room next door to your closest friends from freshman year.

There's room service once a week where the house keeper (these people are super nice!) will come and clean your room, make your beds, and take out your trash. I can't tell you how nice it was to come back to my room after a long day to see my bed perfectly made. Seriously, you won't know how much you appreciate it until it's gone.

Everyone at Rose is nice! (Okay that's impossible, but nearly everyone is nice and will smile/talk to you if you want them to.)
Food and Dining
The food served at this school is not the best. We have ARAMARK and call the cafeteria the ARA. As with most college food, it's not great, but you can still find something to eat. They try to serve different ethnic foods and try new things every week. There are always eggs to order, pizza, cereal, waffles, salad, a deli/sandwich section, burgers, and fries available. Everything else changes on a day to day basis. Some dishes are spot on, others you question what these people serving you are thinking.

As for dining in town, welcome to one of the fast food capitols! There are at least 30 places to eat, some fancier than others. There's your typical fast food like McDonald's and Wendy's, but there are other only-in-Terre Haute places like the Taj Mahal. There are some hidden jems here, you just have to be adventurous enough to find them. SA's and RA's usually introduce you to the best places, though.
What to do for fun
You pick. Whether it's stay inside and watch movies with friends, playing a game of Humans vs. Zombies, or just heading out to a far away place to see what there is to see, it's up to you to decide what's fun.
Bang for the buck
The majority of students that graduate will start a great career and start earning good money. Rose is a great name in the engineering world, so you'll go far as long as you do well and learn what it takes to be a good engineer.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Laking. Verb. The act of carrying someone from his/her room on his/her birthday and throwing him/her in the Lake. This tradition is pretty fun, so beware of who you tell when your birthday is! If you really don't want to be laked, you won't get laked.
Great for these types of students
Studious. Adventurous. Curious. Driven. Passionate.
Clubs and Activities
Seriously, there are so many activities, if you can't find something you like, I'm sorry. There are over 90 clubs and organizations on campus, ranging from hard core sports to intramural sports to academically based groups, to both physical and academic groups. There's art, music, engineering, professional organizations, travel groups, political, health, and Greek life, just to name a few. There are going to be way more things that you're interested in than you can do, so try out many things and stick with what you like!
Campus Safety
One of the reasons I picked this school is because, as a 5'5, 100 pound female, I feel comfortable walking around at 2 am without having to be scared. The security on this campus is amazing. There have been cases of theft, but as soon as those individuals are caught, they are expelled and not allowed to return. Public Safety is always available and can help with everything, from unlocking your door to giving you a ride to class if you're injured.

Anonymous

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Rose is full of like-minded, hard-working students so don't worry about finding friends at our small school! The academic coursework is challenging but VERY REWARDING as long as you apply yourself 110% of the time! Gorgeous scenery, a great rec center, fratenity/sorority life, and many other things to enjoy on-campus make Rose-Hulman a top-notch institution.
Tips for prospective students
Work hard
Manage your time
Be outgoing and meet new people
Do not be afraid to push yourself out of your comfort zone
And most of all...HAVE FUN!
Academic Rigor
Very demanding, but very do-able! Always manage your time in order to get things done so that you will have extra time to have fun!
Dorm Life
Great people who are willing to hang out and work on homework together. Be outgoing and others will warm-up to you. Doors are always open in the dorms, which builds a strong sense of community and trust on campus.
Food and Dining
The food is 4 stars during the week but 2 stars on the weekend...be prepared to cook or to go out on the weekends.
What to do for fun
sleep
fishing
biking
running
campus golf
frisbee
build stuff
video games/computer games
SOCIALIZE
Bang for the buck
Hard to see it while you are there because the place has an OVERWHELMING pricetag....but when you receive scholarships, land internships, and earn job offers from all your hard work, you see that Rose is worth the upfront effort and cost and effort. 100% of seniors will have secured a solid job before they graduate.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Homecoming bonfire
Campus squirrels are awesome
White chapel is lovely
Laking someone on their birthday includes carrying them to Speed Lake and throwing them into the water!
The Last Supper is a super-delicious meal served to students the night before finals begin
Great for these types of students
Outgoing
Smart
Hard-working
Motivated
Happy
Time-managers
Clubs and Activities
Many clubs and activities are offered but I am only involved in a handful of them.
Greek Life
I am not involved so I have no useful information to share.
Campus Safety
Everyone leaves their doors open all the time
No one messes with your stuff
You never have to worry about people stealing your stuff
High degree of freedom and peace of mind
Everyone trusts others (hopefully not to be exploited anytime soon)
Campus security is quick to respond and very helpful

Lauren from Anderson, IN

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Rose-Hulman is a small school, meaning that we have a close-knit family like atmosphere with not only our dorm, but also other halls all over campus. The curriculum is accelerated, covering a year and a halfâ??s worth of studies in only one. Though the lessons may be hard, the professors are always happy to help and upperclassmen are eager to lend a hand.
Tips for prospective students
Take an over-night visit and explore the campus and see what it would be like to live here. Also check out a classroom or two and the learning center were every student goes for help, even those at the top of their class. More than likely, it's the learning center that put them there.
Academic Rigor
You have to want to succeed if you come here. You have to have a goal in mind and the will to work towards it. Otherwise, you are just wasting your time and money. If you want an easy college, Rose is not for you.
Dorm Life
Roomates are random the first year. You can either get a really good one, or a really bad one. I lucked out and found my best friend. The rest of the dorm is pretty good too. Depending on which one you get assigned (for freshmen), each has a different aspect. Some have lobby parties, others have apartments. Mine has the 'Fourth Dimension' which in and of itself, sounds like something from a Sci-fi movie.
Food and Dining
Not a lot of on campus choices. There's pizza, subs and coffee if you don't like the cafeteria food. However, most restaurantes are about ten minutes by car. Most weekends, people here find themselves going to Steak'nShake at 2am, just to get a half-priced milkshake. Oh yeah, and take the seven by seven challenge.
What to do for fun
Terre Haute is rather small. You have a couple bowling alleys and skating rinks, even a refuge for exotic cats, but other than that, it's the friends you make that make your year. I can't remember how many midnight Walmart runs I've made, just to pull a few pranks on the people there with my friends.
Bang for the buck
If you work hard, Rose is definitely worth the money that's been put in. Graduates have a 90%+ placement rate, meaning 90% of our seniors have jobs by the end of their senior year. The average pay check for these jobs is at $66,000 or so per year. And if you're looking to find out how the world works and how to make the greatest impact, Rose is definitely your ticket to the next biggest discovery.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Hallympics is an olympics of sorts for all of the halls on campus. Freshmen versus upperclassmen in a battle of wits and brawn. There's also the Greatest Floor which is a whole 38 hours of contests to see which floor among 30 is the best. The prize? $1000 and gloating rights for the next year.

Also, for your birthday, beware the lake. Many people have been thrown in thanks to the traditional 'birthday laking'. If you really don't want to do it, no one will force you, but come on. When's the next chance that a group of people are going to pick you up and pitch you into a body of water?
Great for these types of students
Those who sat at the front of the classroom or at the back. Introvert or Extrovert, it doesn't matter. As long as you are willing to work hard for your classes, Rose will make sure you have a fun year.
Clubs and Activities
Most clubs are science or math oriented with a few gamers clubs on the side. Those who like building your own car or a 'concrete canoe' will have loads to choose from while those who fancy art or english may flounder a bit.
Greek Life
Three sororities and several fraternities are stationed here. However, that doesn't mean you are excluded by those who are part of them. It merely gives them another title. Most all Greek life here is open to the rest of campus, excluding a few group-specific events.
Campus Safety
The phone number for campus safety is handed out at the beginning of the year to everyone. All buildings are within 15-20 minute walking distance of dorms or the Union. All pathways are lighted and several guys here on campus will be happy to escort you to your dorm if you are afriad to walk alone.