Rensselaer is committed to diversity and inclusion, and seeks to engender in our students intellectual agility, multicultural sophistication, and a global view. In support of this commitment, the Office of Graduate Admissions seeks to recruit an applicant pool that is traditionally under-represented. Through our recruitment initiatives, we aim to recruit substantially more women, and ethnically and culturally diverse students. Please use the links below to learn more about our recruitment initiatives:
- Diversity in Graduate Studies (DIGS) Visitation Program
- Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education (EDGE) Preview Weekend
- Recruitment Event Calendar
- Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs)
- Group Campus Visits – Our office will coordinate student group (McNair Scholars, LSAMP Scholars, etc) visits to our campus. For additional information, please contact Mr. Jarron Decker, Director of Graduate Admissions at deckej3@rpi.edu.
Student Retention
Rensselaer offers specific mentoring, professional, and academic development programs to help our students succeed in their graduate programs, and beyond. The Dean of the Graduate Experience Office offers a wide range of programming to support our graduate students.
There are a number of student groups that can assist with making the transition to graduate school as smooth as possible. They include the Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA), the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Rensselaer Pride Alliance, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).
The Center for Career and Professional Development provides comprehensive career preparation, enabling students to take charge of their future. CCPD can help students perfect their résumé, hone their interview skills, research potential employers, and more.
Diversity in Graduate Studies Visitation Program
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is committed to enhancing the diversity of its graduate programs. To achieve that goal, Rensselaer’s Office of Graduate Admissions has developed the Diversity in Graduate Studies (DIGS) program. The DIGS program is designed to offer prospective Ph.D. applicants from populations underrepresented in STEM and related fields a chance visit our campus at no cost prior to submitting an application for graduate study. DIGS applicants should complete a Graduate Student Visit Form and submit the required materials as noted on the form.
DIGS visitors will:
- have the opportunity to meet with leading faculty in their area(s) of interest
- be able to meet and network with current graduate students in their area(s) of interest
- be provided with a tour of campus and/or relevant laboratories and research centers
- have the opportunity to speak with Graduate Admissions staff about strategies for submitting a competitive application
Rensselaer will:
- arrange and provide reasonable transportation -- such as by air, rail, etc. -- to campus
- arrange and provide lodging at a hotel located near campus
- reimburse or pay for meals ($50 per diem)
- provide DIGS visitors with an automatic graduate application fee waiver
- Juniors, rising seniors, or master’s students who plan to apply for a Ph.D. program.
- Eligible students should:
- have undergraduate research experience -- such as summer REU -- and identify with a population underrepresented in STEM and related fields
- be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Unlike many visitation programs, the DIGS program is designed to be tailored individually to you (See the application for exclusion dates). In the application, we will ask you for three (3) sets of dates when you would like to visit, and we will do our best to accommodate your schedule. Please note that dates must be Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, and during the Spring or Fall semesters only.
Please allow a minimum of four weeks from the day of your request to allow proper planning. Prior to your visit, we will provide you with an agenda outlining the day’s events, which typically include meetings with faculty, relevant staff, and current graduate students, as well as tours of relevant research facilities.
- A completed DIGS Application
- Current transcripts
- One recommendation letter from a faculty member or program director (McNair, MARC, etc.)
- An academic resume that includes undergraduate research experience
- GRE scores (if available)
- A statement of interest (one to two pages)
EDGE at Rensselaer Recruitment Weekend
We plan to offer the EDGE Recruitment Weekend again during the Spring 2023 semester.
The Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education (EDGE) Recruitment Weekend was developed to increase the diversity of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's graduate student population by providing prospective graduate students from underrepresented groups the opportunity to visit and learn about the vibrant academic and research environment at Rensselaer at no cost (food, lodging and travel expenses covered). EDGE is sponsored by the School of Engineering, the School of Science, and the Office of Graduate Admissions. Questions about the EDGE at Rensselaer Recruitment Weekend should be directed to gradadmissions@rpi.edu.
-
Learn more about the PhD programs and research conducted at Rensselaer
-
Participate in professional development workshops
-
Tour Rensselaer's campus, research facilities and laboratories
-
Meet and interact with current Rensselaer graduate students
-
Meet and interact with current Rensselaer faculty in their program of interest
-
Explore New York's Capital Region
If you meet ALL of the criteria below, you are eligible to apply for EDGE at Rensselaer
-
Identify as a member of a group historically underrepresented in graduate education
- Current junior or senior enrolled full-time at a college or university in the United States
- Possess a genuine interest in pursuing a PhD in a graduate program offered by the School of Engineering or School of Science at Rensselaer
Program dates to be determined.
- Online Application
- Resume / CV
- Unofficial Transcripts
- 1 Letter of Recommendation
- Short Answer Questions
- GRE Scores (not required but strongly encouraged)