Before you begin the application process, it is important to know:
- What you are applying for (Degree, Non-Degree)
- The Academic Background required
- Application Requirements
Degree and nonmatriculated applicants have different application requirements. If you are interested in nonmatriculated status at this time but may wish to matriculate in the future, please read both sections. Application forms and complete application instructions are available through our Online Application.
• Required
* Required for a Graduate Certificate or Non-Matriculated program in Computer Science or Information Technology
Official transcript(s) from all institutions the applicant has attended for undergraduate and/or graduate education are required.
NOTE: Students applying for nonmatriculated status need to have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
NOTE: Part-time applicants completing the Personal Potential Index (PPI) do not need to submit letters of recommendation.
NOTE: Proof of Immunization is required to register, not to apply or be admitted.
Download a PDF of the Checklist above
Download a PDF of the Proof of Immunization form
Degree-Seeking Applicants
An applicant may request degree status if he or she has received a Bachelor's degree from an accredited undergraduate institution and demonstrates a strong academic record. Credentials will be reviewed to determine whether the applicant has the necessary qualifications and meets the admissions standards established by Rensselaer. Please refer to the checklist of application credentials needed to complete your file. Degree-seeking applicants may sometimes be admitted with conditions. Admission and continued enrollment depend upon the satisfactory fulfillment of the stated conditions.
Non-Degree-Seeking Applicants
An applicant may request nonmatriculated status if he or she
has received a Bachelor's degree from an accredited undergraduate
institution and meets the admissions standards established
by Rensselaer. Admission is granted if the supporting documents
indicate strong academic achievement and demonstrate that
the applicant has the necessary preparation for the desired
course(s). To apply, an applicant needs to submit an unofficial copy of the Bachelor's degree transcript showing all courses, grades, and award of the degree, as well as a current résumé and a brief description of the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the desired course of study. If the transcript is not
sufficient for a decision, Admissions may
request additional supporting documents such as references
or admissions tests. Nonmatriculated students may request
a change to degree status by obtaining departmental approval.
Please refer to Changes in Status for complete details.
NOTE: Students applying for nonmatriculated status need to have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Background Preparation
Applicants with Post-baccalaureate Degrees
Applicants who have been awarded a post-baccalaureate degree may be eligible to participate in Rensselaer at Hartford's special admissions process. Please contact the Office of Enrollment Management for details. No official test score or evaluation is required if an applicant has a Ph.D. or M.D., or a master’s degree from Rensselaer.
Computer Science or Information Technology Applicants
Students with immigration courses as prerequisites may be admitted conditionally. Since these are undergraduate courses, students are expected to achieve a grade of "B" or better in each course. Achievement below this level is cause for reexamination of admission. In addition, these immigration courses will not enter into the calculation of a student's GPA for graduation.
Engineering Applicants
All Engineering applicants are expected to have earned a Bachelor of Science degree from an ABET accredited college or university. The Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET) is not generally appropriate for master’s level courses or degree programs in Engineering. If you hold a BET degree and are interested in courses and/or a degree in Engineering, please refer to the General Engineering Requirements listed in the Engineering section of the Catalog. If you do not yet have the background indicated for a particular Engineering discipline, please contact the Office of Enrollment Management to discuss your particular circumstances. In certain instances, you may be required to submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Engineering Test or to pursue further instruction in order to meet these background requirements.
Rensselaer Alumni
For undergraduate or graduate alumni of Rensselaer, we will waive the application fee and provide your transcript(s).