The Rensselaer Medal

One of our premier merit scholarships is the Rensselaer Medal, a scholarship opportunity worth $160,000 for outstanding math and science students. 

For more than 100 years, Rensselaer, in conjunction with high schools around the world, has awarded the Rensselaer Medal to promising secondary school students who have distinguished themselves in mathematics and science.

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Rensselaer Medal Award

The Medal was first presented in 1916 with two purposes:

  1. to recognize the superlative academic achievement of young men and women, and to
  2. motivate students toward careers in science, engineering, and technology.

This merit scholarship, with a value of $40,000 per year, is guaranteed for four years (five years for the B.Arch. program) for each Medalist who is accepted and enrolls at Rensselaer. Revisions are only made for reasons described in the Revision of Awards section of the Student Guide to Financial Aid.

How do I apply? How will I know if I'm selected?

You do not apply. You are nominated by your high school in the spring of your junior year.

Here's how it works:

Step 1:
Officials at each participating high school nominate one outstanding math and science student in the junior class to be honored with the Rensselaer Medal Award.

Step 2:
High school officials submit their nomination via the secure medal website.

Step 3:
Upon receipt, Rensselaer evaluates the submission, and, if accepted, mails an award certificate to the participating school for presentation to the honored student.

Step 4:
If the student applies to Rensselaer, is accepted, and enrolls, the official Rensselaer Medallion will be presented during an Honors Convocation in the fall of the first year at Rensselaer.

 

Selection criteria are sent to participating schools each year in March. Selections are due by May 1 annually. Each high school has a different way of notifying a student they have been selected (often at an awards ceremony). Rensselaer typically begins directly contacting Medalists over the summer.

 

Questions?

Please contact: medal_program@rpi.edu or call (518) 276-6216

 

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An important note about merit scholarships at Rensselaer

If a student is eligible for multiple Rensselaer merit scholarships, or tuition remission benefits based on Rensselaer employment, the university will provide the highest single award for which the student is qualified. We do not combine multiple awards.

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Honors Convocation

Honors Convocation celebrates the outstanding academic achievements of students and faculty. Each fall, parents, family, and friends will gather and watch as Rensselaer Medalists— along with students with a 4.0 GPA, graduate student fellowship awardees, and faculty—are honored.

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Congratulations to all of our Medalists...past, present, and future!