Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1824, is a private, technical institution. It educates the leaders of tomorrow''s technologically based companies. Programs are offered through the Schools of Architecture, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management, and Science. The education takes place in state-of-the-art classrooms with revitalized undergraduate curricula that have won three prestigious awards in the last two years. Hands-on undergraduate research and team-based projects are the hallmark of an exciting and rigorous curriculum. Campus life beyond the classroom includes 23 NCAA sports and over 130 clubs and governmental activities. Its 260-acre campus is located in Troy, 15 miles from Albany.