Frequently Asked Questions by Prospective Students

Q:	How is Rensselaer ranked when compared to other universities?
A:	Rensselaer is a recognized leader in graduate education. According to the US News & World Reports magazine, Rensselaer's engineering programs are rated among the 19 best in the nation. Each of Rensselaer's other schools has also achieved national prominence for distinctive programs such as the Techno-MBA, Ecological Economics and the Polymer Synthesis Center.
Q:	How will I know what is required to get a Rensselaer degree?
A:	Requirements for receiving a Rensselaer degree are found in the Rensselaer catalog.
Q:	Can I transfer previously earned graduate courses to my Rensselaer degree?
A:	Depending on course content, some courses are allowed to be transferred from other universities. You should contact your department graduate admissions coordinator for further details.
Q:	How long does it take to get a decision on my application?
A:	Some departments are able to make decisions shortly after files become complete. Other departments hold files for periodic group reviews and their decisions generally take longer.
Q:	What is the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) required for admission and financial aid?
A:	Rensselaer's admission process is a competitive rather than a minimum standards process. Several factors are considered in determining the admissibility of an applicant. Academic performance and ranking, test scores, the compatibility or fit between the applicant's desired program and the programs offered, recommendations as well as the prevailing competition are some of the factors in the admission decision.
Q:	What are the minimum GRE scores?
A:	There are no minimum scores. The GRE is only one factor of many considered by the departments.
Q:	What is the cost of study including tuition, room, board, and fees?
A:	Tuition is $700 per credit hour. Room and board averages $7,361. Miscellaneous fees are approximately $1,065.
Q:	How do I apply for financial aid?
A:	You use the same application for admission and for financial aid.
Q:	What are my chances of getting financial aid?
A:	About 25% of admitted students are offered financial aid.
Q:	If I enroll on my own funds, will I be able to get Rensselaer aid in my second year?
A:	While second year aid sometimes becomes available, it can not be consistently relied upon and you must plan to fund your entire education.
Q:	When should I submit my application?
A:	Completed applications should be submitted by February 1 for the fall and summer term and October 1 for the spring term.
Q:	Where can I get information on housing?
A:	If you want on-campus housing, you should see the Office of Residence Life website or you may call (518) 276-6284. If you would like to live off-campus, you should access the off-campus housing database.
Q:	What medical coverage is available?
A:	We offer the Rensselaer Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan which is a low cost nationwide Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) program in conjunction with the on-campus Gallagher Health Center. A PPO is a network of physicians and other health care providers that offer care to its members at a lower rate than through traditional insurance. The PPO can be used to supplement existing family insurance or, in some cases, may be a student's only health insurance. There is also a dental insurance plan for all full-time graduate students. For additional details, visit the Gallagher Health Center website.
Q:	How can I make informal contact with Rensselaer students?
A:	You can contact the Graduate Student Council, which is a body of elected students that represents all graduate students in Institute affairs, by accessing the Graduate Council home page. International students can also contact international student clubs.
Q:	Where is Rensselaer located?
A:	Rensselaer is situated on a scenic 260-acre hillside campus in Troy, New York, across from Albany and approximately 3 hours north of New York City. Troy's location provides students with a medium size community in which to live and an easy commute to Boston, New York and Montreal. Sixty thousand students attend fourteen area universities and benefit from shared activities and courses.

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Frequently Asked Questions by Prospective Students

How is Rensselaer ranked when compared to other universities?

How will I know what is required to get a Rensselaer degree?

Requirements for receiving a Rensselaer degree are found in the Rensselaer catalog.

Can I transfer previously earned graduate courses to my Rensselaer degree?

Depending on course content, some courses are allowed to be transferred from other universities. You should contact your department graduate admissions coordinator for further details.

How long does it take to get a decision on my application?

Some departments are able to make decisions shortly after files become complete. Other departments hold files for periodic group reviews and their decisions generally take longer.

What is the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) required for admission and financial aid?

What are the minimum GRE scores?

There are no minimum scores. The GRE is only one factor of many considered by the departments.

What is the cost of study including tuition, room, board, and fees?

Tuition is $700 per credit hour. Room and board averages $7,361. Miscellaneous fees are approximately $1,065.

How do I apply for financial aid?

You use the same application for admission and for financial aid.

What are my chances of getting financial aid?

About 25% of admitted students are offered financial aid.

If I enroll on my own funds, will I be able to get Rensselaer aid in my second year?

While second year aid sometimes becomes available, it can not be consistently relied upon and you must plan to fund your entire education.

When should I submit my application?

Completed applications should be submitted by February 1 for the fall and summer term and October 1 for the spring term.

Where can I get information on housing?

If you want on-campus housing, you should see the Office of Residence Life website or you may call (518) 276-6284. If you would like to live off-campus, you should access the off-campus housing database.

What medical coverage is available?

How can I make informal contact with Rensselaer students?

You can contact the Graduate Student Council, which is a body of elected students that represents all graduate students in Institute affairs, by accessing the Graduate Council home page. International students can also contact international student clubs.

Where is Rensselaer located?