Student Transitions Week 2023
Epic journeys begin at Rensselaer. Here's to the innovators, scientists, artists, and creators.
We are delighted that you are joining the Rensselaer community and look forward to meeting you during Student Transitions Week 2023! We have been working hard to put together programming that you will find useful and enjoyable. Transfer Student Orientation marks the beginning of your membership into the Rensselaer community and is an opportunity for you to gain the tools necessary to ensure a smooth transition into Rensselaer. As you begin to finalize your plans, you will receive a welcome email to get started. Please do not hesitate to contact us at (518) 276-6655 or email studenttransitions@rpi.edu with any questions you have. Get excited, your Rensselaer experience is about to begin!
Student Transitions Week will cover the following:
- Transitioning Successfully to Rensselaer
- Academic Advising and Schedule Finalizations
- Credit Evaluations
- Health Services
- Financial Aid Services
- Rensselaer IDs
- Campus Resources and Engagement
- On Campus Housing Requirement
- Covid-19 Compliance and Protocols
- The Arch Requirement for Rensselaer Students
- Student Accounts and Billing
Communications
Please see selections below for communications beginning Spring 2023.
Student Transitions Week Schedule: Spring 2023
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 | Student Transitions Week Overview and Welcome with Shayna Hill, Assistant Director l 4pm-5pm l Meeting Link
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 | Travel and Arrival - Residential Move-In with Student Living and Learning Team l 9am-12pm l Student Living and Learning Office in the Commons Dining Hall building (#39)
*Boxed lunches will be provided for pick up at 11:30am at the Student Living and Learning Office.
*For additional information, please contact the Office of Student Living and Learning at reslife@rpi.edu
Thursday, January 5, 2023 | Transfer Student Orientation Day at CBIS building 9am-2pm Brunch will be served. (Full Day Required by All Transfer Students)
Friday, January 6, 2023 | Transfer Exploration Day | Guided Tour of the Rensselaer Community with Office of Admission | Admissions Building | 10 AM (Optional)
*Boxed Lunch Pickup at The Office of Student Transitions 12pm – 1pm
Incoming Transfer Students Communication Timeline: Spring 2023 Admission
Communications will begin November 28, 2022, for all incoming Transfer students for Spring 2023. Please see the full schedule of Communications and Student Transitions Week schedule for your planning purposes:
November 28, 2022: Welcome Newsletter from Student Transitions
December 12, 2022: Transfer Checklist for Completion
December 19, 2022: Preparation for Student Transitions Week Spring 2023
December 21, 2022: Finalize Transitional Materials for On-campus Access
January 23, 2023: Transfer Student Newsletter Vol 1: Issue 2
January 9, 2023: Transfer Student Newsletter Vol 1: Issue 1
- 11/08/2022- RPI vs Harvard Hockey Game Tickets Reminder
- 10/25/2022 - Transfer Student Memorandum-October
- 8/25/2022 - The Arch at Rensselaer Presentation Reminder
- 8/16/2022- Transfer Student Memorandum- August
- 7/1/2022- Transfer Student Memorandum- July
- 4/12/2022- Transfer Student Memorandum- April
- 3/15/2022- Transfer Student Memorandum-March
- 02/15/2022 - Transfer Student Memorandum-February
- 01/28/2022 - RPI Sports - Transfer Student Engagement Opportunities
- 12/13/2021 - Registration Begins Wednesday - Welcome New Transfers!
- 09/22/2021 - Transfer Services and Support | Fall 2021
- 08/31/2021 - Transition Week Feedback & Presentation Replays
- 08/26/2021 - REQUIRED: Class Dean Meet and Greet Today
- 08/24/2021 - Transitions Week: The Arch and Transfer Student Presentation
- 08/20/2021 - Transfer Student Orientation Attendance Required!
- 08/20/2021 - Transfer Student Orientation Attendance Required!
- 08/01/2021 - Final Transfer Correspondence
- 07/14/2021 - In Preparation for August
- 06/28/2021 - Transfer Student To - Do List
- 06/25/2021 - Farewell from Assistant Director Diamond Jackson
- 06/07/2021 - First Transfer Student Correspondence
- 06/01/2021 - Transfer Student Network Facebook
- 05/10/2021 - Student Transitions Office Information Advisory
- 04/26/2021 - May Transfer Student Newsletter
- 04/05/2021 - April Transfer Student Newsletter
- 03/03/2021 - Trigger 1 Protocol Update for Transfers and FAQ
- 03/01/2021 - March Transfer Student Newsletter
- 02/08/2021 - January Transfer Student Newsletter
Important Information
If you have not already done so, please notify Disability Services for Students at (518) 276-8197 and the Office for Student Transitions at (518) 276-6655 of any special needs you may have to help ensure that we are prepared to assist you prior to the start of the term.
Prior to Student Transitions Week
- Review the Rensselaer Course Catalog and class hour schedule online at http://sis.rpi.edu to see which classes are offered ahead of time
- Register for your first semester courses online
- You will have the opportunity to connect with an academic adviser from your department or school to help you determine which courses to take your first semester
- While you may not get your first choice of classes, you will be able to get a full schedule that will apply towards your graduation requirements
Transfer Credits
Time has been set aside for you to ask evaluation-specific questions regarding your credits.
Architecture
Rhett Russo
(518) 276-2011
russor4@rpi.edu
Engineering
Kurt Anderson
(518) 276-6620
anderk5@rpi.edu
Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Brett Fajen
(518) 276-8266
fajenb@rpi.edu
Information Technology and Web Science
Peter Fox
(518) 276-4862
pfox@cs.rpi.edu
Management
Christopher Meyer
(518) 276-2225
meyerc6@rpi.edu
Science
Lee Ligon
(518) 276-3458
ligonl@rpi.edu
AP Scores
- Your welcome packet will contain the Rensselaer courses you have received credit for
- You will have the opportunity to speak with your adviser prior to orientation to determine if you should take the next course level
To get ready for Calculus I, review the book “Ready… Set… Calculus.” The Math Department has also prepared an online version and a sample quiz that you may want to take and review. It is strongly encouraged that you review this information!
- Send in the paper immunization form that your physician’s office completes and signs.
- Visit the Student Health Center website to complete the four forms via the Online Health Portal (click on the “new student” tab).
- All full-time students must have health insurance that will provide on-going, routine care in Troy, NY. To meet this requirement you must either enroll in or waive out of (with comparable insurance) the RPI health insurance plan. You can enroll or waive via the Online Health Portal (deadline is September 15).
- AlcoholEdu and Haven are mandatory online education courses that will open on July 31. Part 1 needs to be completed as soon as possible. Part 2 must be completed 45 days after classes begin.
The charge for Transfer Student Orientation is a one time fee of $175. This fee will appear on your student account bill, please do not send money.
For questions regarding Rensselaer billing and payments, contact:
Bursar’s Office
(518) 276-6610
Financial Aid
(518) 276-6813
The Arch Program is an integral part of each student's academic career at RPI. Transfers come to campus with diverse backgrounds that will support their away semester. For more information on the Arch Program and how it will effect your transfer student, please view this information video here. For any questions, comments or concerns regarding the Arch Program as it pertains to transfers, please contact the Student Transitions Office.
(Video upload as of Spring 2021)
Transfer Student FAQ's
Transfer Student FAQs to Consider:
Q. Do I need to be vaccinated to attend RPI?
A. Yes, all students, faculty, and staff are required to be vaccinated against Covid-19. If you have a medical or religious accommodation request, please email the studenthealthcenter@rpi.edu. All Rensselaer students are also required to complete weekly testing, DIAL app check-ins, and wear masks in classroom spaces on campus. For more information related to Covid-19 protocols review them on the Covid-19 Website
Q. When will I register for courses? Who should I contact for advisement and planning?
A. Incoming transfer students will begin registration on December 15, 2022. If you do not receive a registration time ticket in SIS (Student Information System), please email studenttransitions@rpi.edu. All transfers should receive proper advisement from their department prior to registration. Contacts are noted above.
Q. As a transfer student, do I have to live on-campus in the Residential Commons?
A. Yes, all transfer students are required to live on-campus during the transition, in addition to first-year students, sophomores, and The Arch summer term. If you are a transfer student who needs a housing waiver request reviewed, please complete the form and connect with Student Living and Learning reslife@rpi.edu.
Q. Do I need to complete The Arch summer and semester away requirement?
A. The amount of credits accepted by Rensselaer will determine the students classification upon their transition. Those who enter with sophomore classification or below are required to complete both The Arch summer term and semester away. Those who enter with Junior classification will only be required to complete the away term portion. A presentation will detail the requirement and how to properly register for Arch summer and/or semester away in SIS. Any questions pertaining to the requirement please email thearch@rpi.edu