The RPI Experience is RPI’s undergraduate experiential learning program. It is designed to help students prepare for the future through structured professional development and an experiential learning requirements completed before graduation.

Yes. The RPI Experience is the updated name for the program previously known as The Arch. Because many students, families, and campus partners are still familiar with the older name, both names may appear during the transition.

All undergraduate students are required to complete The RPI Experience before graduation.

The RPI Experience includes two required components:

• Exploration Semester (ADMN 1030)
• Discovery Semester (ILEA 4400)

Yes. Students are required to complete both the Exploration Semester (ADMN 1030) and the Discovery Semester (ILEA 4400) before graduation.

The RPI Experience (formerly The Arch) now provides students with more flexibility in how they complete the program. Under the former model, students were generally expected to remain on campus during the summer following their sophomore year unless they secured an approved exemption. Under the current model, students are no longer expected to remain on campus during that summer. Instead, students may choose to complete their Discovery Semester (ILEA 4400) during the summer, fall, or spring of their junior year, depending on their plans and the current program guidelines.

This updated structure is intended to give students more flexibility in how they complete the experiential learning requirement while still meeting the program expectations before graduation.

The Exploration Semester (ADMN 1030) is the professional development component of The RPI Experience. It is intended to help students prepare for future experiential learning and career-related opportunities.

The Discovery Semester (ILEA 4400) is the experiential learning component of The RPI Experience. Students complete it while participating in their required experience, and it is used to track progress during that term.

The Exploration Semester (ADMN 1030) is typically completed before a student begins the required experiential learning component. Most students complete the Exploration Semester in the Fall or Spring of their sophomore year. The Discovery Semester (ILEA 4400) is completed while the student is fulfilling their experiential learning requirement. Most students complete the Discovery Semester in the Summer following their sophomore year, or during the Fall or Spring semester of their junior year.

Students typically complete the Exploration Semester before the Discovery Semester. Many students begin this process around the sophomore-to-junior transition, but students should focus on completing both requirements before graduation and follow the most current guidance for timing. Most students complete the Exploration Semester in the Fall or Spring of their sophomore year. Most students complete the Discovery Semester in the Summer following their sophomore year, or during the Fall or Spring semester of their junior year.

Students should review their Degree Works records and consult their academic advisor or the CCPD if they are unsure whether the Exploration Semester or Discovery Semester has been completed.

Contact CCPD with questions about The RPI Experience requirements, Exploration Semester, Discovery Semester, and whether an experience may satisfy program expectations. Contact your academic advisor or academic department with questions about course offerings, academic planning, and how summer or semester timing may affect your degree progress.

The Exploration Semester is currently delivered in a fully asynchronous format. Students complete required assignments such as a resume, a cover letter, a recorded mock interview, and a career action plan.

Most students complete the Exploration Semester before beginning the Discovery Semester. It is often taken during the sophomore year, although some students complete it later if they did not finish it earlier or were unaware that the requirement was still outstanding.

In some cases, school-based professional development courses (LSOM MGMT 1240 + 1250) may satisfy the Exploration Semester requirement. Students should confirm with the CCPD or their Academic Advisor about whether a specific course counts.

If the Exploration Semester remains outstanding later in your academic career, you will need to complete it before graduating. Students are encouraged to check early and ask questions before their final semesters.

The Discovery Semester is completed while students are participating in their required experiential learning term. It is used to document and track progress during that experience.

Experiences may include internships/co-ops, research, civic engagements, or approved self-designed opportunities. Students should review current guidance and confirm expectations before finalizing plans.

Students may complete the Discovery Semester during the summer, fall, or spring following the completion of their sophomore year, depending on their plans and current program guidance. Students should plan early and review current guidance carefully. SIS timing can be adjusted by contacting the CCPD.

Registration processes may differ depending on which requirement you need to complete. Students should review current instructions carefully and follow all steps related to course registration, experiential learning planning, and required documentation.

Students are responsible for making sure both required components of The RPI Experience are completed before graduation. If you are unsure whether you still need the Exploration Semester, the Discovery Semester, or another required step, check your Degree Works records early and contact your Academic Advisor.

Students should begin planning early. Waiting too long can make it harder to understand requirements, meet deadlines, and coordinate academic, career, and experiential learning plans. Students are encouraged to begin searching for Discovery Semester opportunities as early as the fall semester before their first summer of eligibility.

Students typically complete the Exploration Semester before the Discovery Semester. However, both requirements must be completed before graduation, and students should review current guidance and consult CCPD or their academic advisor if their timeline differs from the usual sequence. Students should review current guidance and plan ahead so they complete each requirement in the expected sequence.

Contact the CCPD as soon as possible. Waiting until your final semester can limit your options and may affect your path to graduation.

Students should confirm expectations with the CCPD before assuming an internship, research opportunity, or self-designed experience will satisfy the requirement. When in doubt, ask early.

The program structure now allows students more flexibility than in earlier versions of The Arch. Under the former model, students were generally expected to remain on campus during the summer following their sophomore year unless they secured an approved exemption. Under the current model, students are no longer expected to remain on campus during that summer. Instead, students may choose to complete their Discovery Semester (ILEA 4400) during the summer, fall, or spring of their junior year, depending on their plans and the current program guidelines.

Students who choose to take classes on campus during the summer are no longer required to live on campus or maintain a meal plan.

Students are able to complete the Discovery Semester during the summer, fall, or spring semester following the completion of their sophomore year.

Should a student decide to take classes on campus during the summer, they are no longer required to live on campus or maintain a meal plan.

Yes. Summer course registration is open, and students can review available courses through the regular registration system. Questions about which courses are being offered during the summer should be directed to your academic school, department, or academic advisor. If you are looking for a course that is not currently listed, you should contact your academic department or advisor directly to discuss whether it may be offered.

The program is now being presented as The RPI Experience, which reflects updated program language. Because many students, families, and campus partners are still familiar with the name The Arch, both names may appear during the transition.

These are the updated names now being used for the two required components of The RPI Experience. Exploration Semester refers to ADMN 1030, and Discovery Semester refers to ILEA 4400.

Because requirements and processes can be complex, students should verify important information through the CCPD. If you receive conflicting information, ask for clarification before making decisions.

Students should check the official website regularly for updates and review communications carefully. If you are planning for registration, summer participation, or the Discovery Semester, it is especially important to confirm that you are using the most current information.

That is understandable. During the transition, some students and families may still recognize older terms connected to The Arch. When reviewing information, focus on the current requirement descriptions and contact the CCPD if you are unsure how older language connects to current expectations.

Start with the CCPD. When reaching out, include your full name, class year, RIN, and a brief description of your question so staff can better assist you.