[a][1][2] The school has a long list of notable alumni, including scientists, entrepreneurs, politicians, journalists, artists, three Turkish prime ministers, four Bulgarian prime ministers,[1][3] multiple members of the Turkish cabinet, Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk and philanthropist Osman Kavala.

During his tenure between 1877 and 1903, Washburn "gradually assembled a faculty of distinguished scholars who firmly established the college's academic reputation.

English is the language of instruction used in Science, Mathematics, Literature, Physical Education, Art and Music courses.

Food vendors are usually selected by Student Council members and consist of restaurants close to Robert College such as "kumpir" sellers in Ortaköy.

[19] Istanbul Gençlik Forumu is a national conference where representatives from over 30 high schools from different regions come together to discuss issues regarding the future of Turkey.

It is also the National Selection Conference of EYP Turkey, which is also recognized by the international office of European Youth Parliament.

Organized by the Robert College Theater Club, TIFES is one of the major theatrical events at high school level in Turkey.

Numerous plays are put on stage during the week in Suna Kıraç Hall and famous actors, actresses and playwrights give talks on topics related to theatrical arts.

About 300 Junior Achievement students from all over Turkey meet each other and share their experiences with others and entrepreneurs and artists related to the topics like Risk (2010), Alternative Careers (2009), Creating a Brand (2008).

While being the only student-run, high school level debating organization, it has gained a reputation as one of the best WSDC-style tournaments worldwide.

The cornerstone of the building, set on November 9, 1911, by then-United States Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, William Woodville Rockhill, contains a time capsule.

The inscription "AD MDCCCCXI", denoting the year of the capsule's burial in Roman numerals, is displayed on the South Wing of the front façade.

[23] Originally home to the school kitchens and dining room, the building was a gift from Miss Olivia E. Phelps Stokes, who donated US$100,000.

Completed in 1914, the building was a partial gift from Mrs. Henry Woods of Boston, who donated US$58,000, with Helen Gould Shepard supplying the remaining US$25,000 required.

A state-of-the-art theater building completed in 1990, including a large stage, make-up rooms, modern sound and lighting system and seating for 512 people, was named after its largest donor Suna Kıraç (American College for Girls '60 alumnus), a leading Turkish businesswoman and Robert College Trustee.

The library went through an extensive renovation in 2014 and occupies an area of 1034 square meters, with a seating capacity of 290 people on the second and third floors of Gould Hall.

[31] Müfide Ferid Tek, a Pan-Turkist author, wrote Pervaneler, a novel criticizing the foreign, anti-Turkish nature of the American College for Girls.

Her education at Byzantium College alienates her from her Turkish and Muslim identities, leading her to convert to Protestantism to migrate to the United States.

Bahire is a woman who "dresses like a man", rejects her gender roles, and is captivated by the western feminist movement.

Leman, influenced by her friends, meets Jack Peterson, an American soldier in deployment, and escapes to the United States to marry him.

[32] These three figures represent cautionary tales for what the author believes will happen to Turkish youth in non-national educational institutions.

In the novel, Byzantium College is depicted as the principal institution corrupting young Turkish women — both a literal and figurative enclave of the foreign powers who invaded, but failed to hold Istanbul.

Similar anti-Armenian sentiments dominate the novel: in the school's museum, artifacts by Armenian, Greek, Bulgarian, Serbian, and Russian peoples are displayed, whereas Turkish culture is denied.

[33] In the 2014–2015 academic year, a student was admitted to Robert College with a lower high school entry exam score than was required.

[34] On 25 March 2015, Hürriyet reported that the student was admitted to Robert College with the instruction of the Ministry of National Education (MEB).

Arslan claims that the 137 million dollars that Robert College acquired within a 5-year span is a result of "the exploitation of Turkey's resources", and is being used for "US interests".

Since the Ottoman period, Robert College alumni have played a leading role in numerous fields including the arts, academia, science, engineering, business, civil society and government administration.

[41] Garnett stated in her 1904 publication that "since its foundation forty years ago many of its graduates have attained to high positions in the Governments of the Balkan principalities, and otherwise distinguished themselves.

"[12] Three Robert College graduates were the representatives of their countries in the founding meeting of the United Nations held in San Francisco in March 1945: Nur al-Din Kahala for Syria, Hamiz Atif Kuyucak for Turkey and Dr. Shafaq for Iran.

The development office publishes the RC Quarterly, which reaches 10,000[43] Robert College alumni around the world online and by mail.