The admissions committee carefully reviews each application, looking for unique strengths, leadership, and talents that will add to the vibrancy of the Rensselaer community.
Application Options
| Admission Plan | Application Due Date | Binding | Notification Date | CSS Profile Priority Filing Date* | FAFSA Priority Filing Date* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 1 | Yes | December 14 | December 15 | December 15 |
| Early Action | December 1 | No | February 1 | December 15 | December 15 |
| Early Decision II | January 3 | Yes | January 25 | January 3 | January 3 |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | No | March 8 | January 31 | January 31 |
| B.S./M.D. Program | November 1 | No | Early April | January 31 | January 31 |
Application Checklist (First-Year Applicants)
- Other applicant checklists:
Transcript Submission Guidelines
- All Applicants: Your school must send an official high school transcript.
- Early Decision & Early Action Applicants: Send your first quarter or trimester grades (or a mid-semester progress report) to our office as soon as they are available. Alternatively, you can upload an unofficial report card or progress report through your application portal.
- Regular Decision Applicants: Submit your mid-year or first-semester grades as soon as they are ready. You may also upload an unofficial report card or progress report through your application portal.
Letter of Recommendation
Request a letter of recommendation from a counselor or teacher, preferably a math or science teacher who knows you well.
Test Optional for Fall 2025 Applicants
Any student who applies to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as an undergraduate in the fall of 2025 will be able to choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores. This is a continuation of the temporary suspension of our standardized testing requirement, and it will be re-evaluated for the fall 2026 application cycle.
Applicants to the Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program must submit official scores.
Test Score Reporting Guidelines (Optional for Fall 2025)
Self-Reporting: Most students can self-report test scores either on their application or through the application portal (available after submission).
Official Scores: Enrolling students must send official scores from the testing agency if they haven’t already. Scores on an official high school transcript will also be considered official.
- Applicants to the Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program must submit official scores.
Application Status: Check your online application status page to confirm that your scores have been processed.
- SAT Institutional Code: 2757
- ACT College Code: 2866
Essay
The general essay/personal statement submitted with your application satisfies Rensselaer’s essay requirements, except for applicants to the following programs:
- Accelerated Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program (BIAM)
State your reasons for aspiring to a career in medicine. - Architecture (ARCH)
State your reasons for choosing architecture as your profession. - Electronic Arts (EART)
Discuss your interests in the field of electronic arts, and state how this is reflected in your portfolio, if one has been submitted. - Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS)
State your reasons for choosing the field of games and simulation arts and sciences, making reference to your portfolio if one has been submitted. - Music (MUSC)
Describe your interest in the music major and your goals. Please include completed course work in music, private music instruction, musical performance and production experience, or completed independent projects.
You will be prompted for the appropriate essay on the Common Application writing supplement.
Application Fee Information
- Fee Waivers: No application fee for submissions by December 1st or for Rensselaer Medalists.
- Standard Fee: $70 (nonrefundable).
Payment Options:
- Pay by credit card via the application website or your application portal (if using the Candidate's Choice Application).
- Pay by check or money order, payable to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Include your full name and date of birth, and mail it to the address in the footer. Do not send cash.
Fee Waiver Eligibility
You may qualify for a waiver if your total family income is $70,000 or less, and the fee is a financial hardship. To apply, submit one of the following:
- SAT Request for Waiver of College Application Fee form
- ACT, College Bound, or NACAC Fee Waiver form
- An official letter from your counselor, principal, or school official
Email the form or letter to adm_updates@rpi.edu or mail it to "Fee Waiver Request" at the address in the footer.
Important: Check your online application status to confirm receipt. You may assume your waiver is granted unless you are notified otherwise.
Portfolio Rquirements and Guidelines (if required)
- Architecture (required)
- Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS)
- Electronic Arts (EART)
- Music (MUSC)
Portfolios have the same deadlines as the application.
Early Decision Agreement Form (if applicable)
Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir Users: Submit the signed Early Decision Agreement Form electronically through the respective platform.
Candidate's Choice Application Users: Complete the Early Decision Agreement Form through your application status portal.
Interview and Video Submission Opportunities (Optional)
Rensselaer does not conduct interviews as part of the application process.
GLIMPSE Video (U.S. Students Only):
U.S. high school students can submit a 60–90 second GLIMPSE video to help us get to know them better. Submission Deadlines: Early Decision I: 11/15, Early Action: 12/15, Early Decision II: 1/10, Regular Decision: 1/29. Learn more on the GLIMPSE website.
InitialView Interview (International Students)
International applicants can submit an InitialView interview, which offers an informal opportunity to share their background, experiences, and interests. Reservations are required for this option.
You’ve submitted your application—What's Next
Review the Application Checklist (above) to see if we need any additional materials to complete your application.
- If you applied Early Decision, to the Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program, or to a major requiring a portfolio, ensure we receive all required items.
- International students (non-U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents) have a few additional requirements.
Receive Your Rensselaer ID Number (RIN)
Within a few days* of submitting your application, you will receive an email with your Rensselaer ID Number (RIN) and login details for your application portal.
- Action Required: Check your email inbox (and spam/junk folders) for this confirmation email. If necessary, update your email address through your application portal or by contacting adm_updates@rpi.edu.
Monitor Your Application Portal
The application portal is where you can check your application status or view your admission decision when it becomes available.
- Action Required: Regularly check both your email and the portal for updates.
Stay Informed
Nearly all correspondence about your application will be sent via email or posted on your portal.
*Email notifications begin in early October.
Candidate’s Choice Application
This streamlined application is available to students who have expressed an interest in Rensselaer (available to first-year students only).
Please note that students applying to the Accelerated Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program cannot apply using the Candidate’s Choice Application.
Important note for students using the Candidate's Choice Application: Any credentials submitted through Naviance may only be received by Rensselaer if the applicant has submitted the Common Application.
In order for us to receive your documents, you must indicate inside of Naviance that you are NOT using the Common App to apply to RPI. Once you do that, your counselor should be able to choose to send your supporting documents to us electronically through Parchment. Documents may also be sent via SCOIR.
Be sure to monitor your application portal to ensure that we receive all of your supporting documents.
