Welcome to Rensselaer!
Congratulations on your acceptance and decision to join the Rensselaer community! In mid-May, we’ll provide access to the Student Orientation Website, where you’ll find important dates and action items. Starting in June, we’ll communicate more frequently to guide you through onboarding and orientation.
Here’s a preview of key information that will be covered in detail later, giving you an idea of what to expect and when important deadlines are approaching.
Account Set Up
Once a student submits their deposit (starting April 1), they will receive instructions for setting up their Rensselaer Computing System (RCS) user ID. Instructions are sent to the email address provided on their application.
The RCS ID and Password will be used to access your Rensselaer email account and Student Information System (SIS). Students will use SIS to register for classes, check registration status, add or drop classes, view weekly schedules and grades, request transcripts, and obtain a parking permit.
Students are encouraged to check their email daily for updates and next steps so they don’t miss anything.
Students who deposit after April 1 will receive the instruction for setting up their RPI email within 5-7 days. Early Decision I and II students will also receive the instructions in early April.
The Rensselaer Mobile Computing Program (MCP) provides students with competitively priced, pre-configured laptops through the school, along with extensive benefits including a four-year warranty, on-campus support, loaner laptops, and certified repair services.
At the end of April, the Mobile Computing Program will post three laptop options to review and will send an email with instructions for ordering and pickup.
Academics
If you chose to have your test scores considered as a part of your application, but did not submit official results from the SAT/ACT during the application process, we will need them sent directly from the testing agency by June 1. If you submitted official test score results during the application process, this will be noted on your admissions portal.
Important Note: Students who do not submit either their final high school transcript and/or their official test scores (if applicable) will have a hold placed on their student account which will prevent them from registering for spring semester courses.
In order to complete your enrollment, RPI must receive an official copy of your final high school transcript (showing the exact date of graduation) by July 31.
Fill out the student information and submit this form to your school counselor. Please print clearly. If your school counselor is sending your final transcript electronically, you do not need to submit this form.
The transcript may be sent electronically or mailed to the address in the sidebar.
Important Note: Students who do not submit either their final high school transcript and/or their official test scores (if applicable) will have a hold placed on their student account which will prevent them from registering for spring semester courses.
- Virtual Engagement Opportunities: Meet staff and faculty to prepare for academic success and course registration.
- Detailed Communication: Receive clear instructions on connecting with advising teams for course selection support.
- June 25 – July 9: Academic Advising for fall course selection will happen.
You will have the opportunity to meet with an academic adviser from your school/department during the summer prior to the course registration period. If you have any questions about course registration, please email newstudentreg@rpi.edu.
Students are required to submit all requests for prior credit by the end of their first year. Incoming Freshman Transfer Credit Procedure/High School Certification Form
Fall Course Registration (dates coming soon)
- July 11: Early Decision 1 and 2 students.
- July 14 – 18: All other students.
Important Links:
Health and Wellness
You will have five forms to complete:
- Download and complete the Pre-Entrance Immunization Form. Have your doctor complete (or attach) your immunization history. Login to the Student Health Portal and use the “Document Upload” feature to upload a copy of your completed forms.
- Login to the Student Health Portal, and complete the applicable required Pre-Entrance Medical Forms, listed under "My Forms".
- Notice of Privacy Practices Form – Review and submit.
- Patient Information-Medical History Form – Complete and submit.
- Pre-Entrance Tuberculosis Screening Form – Complete and submit.
- Local Contact Information Form – Complete and submit once you know your housing information for Fall 2025.
Visit the Student Health Center website to learn about Rensselaer's comprehensive AAAHC-accredited, physician-directed Student Health Center providing ambulatory health care for all enrolled students.
All RPI students pay a health center fee that provides access to on-campus medical, counseling, and health education services. The Health Center does not charge family insurance plans for health care services.
In addition, to ensure access to off-campus health care services, an annual health insurance fee is billed to all students. Our annual health insurance coverage has been carefully designed to reflect the needs of today’s active students. If you have equivalent coverage, our health insurance fee may be waived, but you will be required to pay the health center fee.
All new first-year and transfer students are required to complete two online education programs: AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates. Each course has two parts. More information about how and when to complete these courses will be provided to you prior to the courses opening on or around July 30.
You will receive course instructions via your RPI email prior to the courses opening on or around July 30.
Students requesting accommodations due to a disability must contact the Office of Disability Services for Students. Once students have been approved for accommodations, they must renew their Faculty Memorandum each academic year. Please see the Student Health Services website for more information regarding the procedure for requesting accommodations
Students currently engaged in mental health services (therapy and/or medication) are strongly encouraged to maintain that treatment throughout their transition to college life. The Counseling Center, a department of Student Health Services, offers individual therapy and medication management services. Students who want to transfer their psychiatric care from a home provider to a campus provider should forward the following psychiatric records to the Rensselaer Counseling Center: (1) initial/intake note, (2) last treatment note, and (3) medication history. Records can be sent by fax to: 518-276-6642 or by email to: counseling@rpi.edu or can be uploaded to the Student Health Portal. Please see the Student Health Services website for information about counseling center services.
Tuition and Financial Aid
We will provide your first Tuition eBilling statement in mid-July for the fall semester. Payment is due in mid-August, so it is not too early to begin planning—in some detail—how you will fund your college education. Electronic invoices will be sent monthly to the student’s RPI email address. Students may designate others to access their bill.
Cost of Attendance (includes tuition, room and board, fees, miscellaneous expenses, and laptop). Housing and food charges may by more or less depending on your choice of meal plan or housing. There will be a health insurance fee for students who do not have insurance coverage equivalent to that of RPI.
2025-2026 rates coming soon
Visit the Accepted Students Financial Aid Checklist to accept your Financial Aid. You'll login to the Student Information System (SIS) with your RCS ID and Password.
Housing and Dining
First-year students are assigned to first-year residence halls or clusters of rooms to enhance their living and learning experience, as they share many new experiences and take many of the same courses. Every student living at RPI must complete a Housing Application. Visit Student Living and Learning to
- Review dorms and rooms available to first-year students
- Review the different special interest housing and gender inclusive housing options available to first-year students. If interested, please indicate that on
- First-year housing Frequently Asked Questions
Important Note: you will need your RCS ID and password from step 1 to complete the housing application.
Roommate Matching
We use the online matching survey to pair you with your roommate(s). The survey asks a series of questions about lifestyle and priorities, such as neatness, visitors in the room, and preferred study environment. Please fill out the roommate matching survey with your room and dining plan selection. Once you have been assigned a building, you will be matched with your roommate(s).
About our Residence Halls
The Basics
- All residence areas are wired for Ethernet and Internet access for each student resident. All of the residence halls offer wireless connections in all rooms and in public spaces.
- Mailboxes are located in the Rensselaer Union.
- Laundry facilities included in each building at no cost.
- Bedroom furnishings include an extra-long twin bed, a desk and chair, dresser, and closet or wardrobe.
- Exercise equipment is available in the Mueller Fitness Center.
- Parking on campus is limited. First-year students are not permitted to have cars on campus.
Privacy
All residence halls are coed and have either suite bathrooms (shared between two same-gender rooms) or designated male and female bathrooms.
Security
RPI uses a card access system. You will be issued a picture ID card that is encoded to provide access to your residence hall and to serve as a meal card for the dining halls. If the card is lost or stolen, it will be invalidated and a new card issued.
Smoking
All residential facilities are smoke-free.
Support
Student staff, including resident assistants and learning assistants, are trained to assist with personal and academic concerns. They are available to help residents get to know each other, form positive relationships, and develop a sense of community in each hall.
All resident first-year students will be automatically enrolled in a campus dining plan. This plan includes the full use of residential dining facilities as well as funds that can be spent in retail locations. You will select a meal plan as part of the Housing Application.
More information about the 2025-2026 meal plan options will be available in the spring of 2025.
If you have a question about the meal plans offered for upperclassmen, please call our main office on campus at 518-276-2018 or email dining@rpi.edu.
Move-In and Orientation
Rensselaer officially welcomes new students and introduces them to the local community through a week-long series of events known as "Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond" (NRB), the official continuation of the orientation program. Created under The Rensselaer Plan in 2001, NRB is organized around three general themes: adventure/team building; cultural/historical; and community service opportunities—all designed to help students get to know one another.
Details on NRB and how to register will become available in mid-January.
The Office of Student Living and Learning facilitates move-in and check-in for the three academic semesters: fall, spring and summer. Students will receive detailed information regarding check-in via their Rensselaer email account prior to moving in.
The New Student Orientation Guide will be updated in early January.
