How to Apply to Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Chemical, Biomedical and Other Majors in Seven Departments, Applying to a Major or to Undeclared Engineering, with Admission Routes and Prerequisites for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is in Troy, New York. Undergraduate engineering is offered by the School of Engineering. Based on RPI’s official information, this guide covers fall 2027 entry for students at high schools in China, students at high schools in Canada (including British Columbia and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Undergraduate engineering majors

The School of Engineering says its seven departments offer 11 undergraduate and 19 graduate degrees, with students building fundamentals in math, science and engineering and then going deeper through hands-on learning, labs and multidisciplinary design. The same page lists the following 12 undergraduate (B.S.) majors by department, which does not match the “11” in its introduction; check with Admissions:

• Biomedical Engineering, with concentrations in biomaterials, biomechanics, and bioimaging/instrumentation, and the option of a pre-med or management minor.
• Chemical Engineering (Chemical and Biological Engineering).
• Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering).
• Computer and Systems Engineering and Electrical Engineering (Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering).
• Industrial and Management Engineering (Industrial and Systems Engineering).
• Materials Engineering (Materials Science and Engineering).
• Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Nuclear Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering).

There is also an interdisciplinary Design, Innovation, and Society (DIS) program built around a design studio in seven of eight semesters, combining engineering or management courses with the humanities and social sciences. Computer science is in the School of Science and has its own guide on this site.

2. Choosing a major on the application

• Two options: you can declare a specific major, or choose undeclared in a specific school; RPI’s own example is “undeclared engineering.”
• Be as specific as you can: you can change major after you arrive, but Admissions encourages you to be specific. To change after submitting, use the Change in Major Form in your application portal.
• One major to start: students typically begin with one major and discuss a dual degree or minor with their adviser after the first semester.
• Entry thresholds: the pages we read do not say whether engineering majors have GPA thresholds or capacity limits after enrolment; ask an engineering adviser.
• No portfolio, no interview: portfolios are only for the B.Arch and are not accepted or recommended for other majors; RPI does not interview. International applicants may submit an optional InitialView, Duolingo or Vericant interview.

3. High school course work (prerequisites)

Admissions says the best-suited applicants will have completed:

• Four years of math through pre-calculus (calculus recommended). IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL does not meet the pre-calculus requirement.
• Three years of science, including chemistry and lab-based physics; biology is recommended and required for bio-focused majors. Physical Science or Conceptual Physics does not meet the lab-based physics requirement.
• Four years of English and three years of social studies and/or history.

AP credit (examples from RPI’s policy): a 4 or 5 on Calculus AB gives Calculus I (4 credits); on BC, Calculus I and II (8 credits); a 4 or 5 on Physics C: Mechanics gives Physics I; a 5 on Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism gives Physics II; a 4 or 5 on Chemistry gives Chemistry I and II (8 credits), and engineering students who need Materials Science for Engineers should register for ENGR-1600 to complete the pre-engineering chemistry/materials requirement. Starting with fall 2024 entrants, first-year students may bring a maximum of 32 credits, and all AP, dual enrolment and IB credit requests must be made by the end of the first year.

4. Deadlines and application materials

• Early Decision I (binding): 1 November; decisions 12 December.
• Early Action: 1 December; decisions 30 January.
• Early Decision II (binding): 6 January; decisions 16 January.
• Regular Decision: 15 January; decisions 6 March.
• Platforms: Common App or the RPI Application.
• Fee: USD 70, non-refundable; no fee for applications submitted by 1 December.
• Essay: the Common App personal statement is enough; engineering has no extra essay (only architecture and the B.S./M.D. program do).
• Recommendation: one letter from a counselor or teacher, preferably a math or science teacher who knows you well.
• Test-optional: fall 2027 applicants choose whether to send the SAT or ACT, and RPI says it will remain test-optional through the fall 2030 cycle. RPI superscores the SAT and uses the highest ACT composite; tests must be taken by the December test date.
• Supporting materials can follow: the deadline is for the application itself; aim to have transcripts and letters in within two weeks.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Transcripts: official copies of all secondary transcripts with English translations. RPI says applicants from China may submit junior high transcripts (grades 7–9) along with their A-Level coursework.
• Gaokao: RPI does not say how the Gaokao is used; ask Admissions.
• Math and science: RPI’s course expectations for all applicants are in section 3; it does not say how Chinese high school courses map onto them.

6. Students at high schools in Canada (including BC)

• Credentials: RPI says students in Ontario may apply with the OSSD. It does not separately address the BC Certificate of Graduation or how BC courses such as Pre-Calculus 12, Physics 12 and Chemistry 12 map onto its requirements, and publishes no grade requirements for Canadian curricula; ask Admissions.
• English: Canada is on RPI’s list of English-medium countries, so a high school diploma from Canada exempts you from an English test.

7. English requirements (international applicants)

• Non-native English speakers must send official scores directly from the testing agency; self-reported scores are not accepted.
• First-year applicants: TOEFL iBT 88 (4.5 on the new scale), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115 or PTE 59; plan to test by December of senior year.
• Exemptions: SAT EBRW 640+, ACT English 22+, IB English A HL 6+, IGCSE or A/AS English at B or above, Cambridge B2 First or C1 Advanced 185+; three or more years of U.S. secondary school (request through your portal); or a high school diploma from a listed English-medium country, including Canada.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 undergraduate cost (USD): tuition 66,300, fees 1,676, food and housing 18,870, total 90,076. All students are billed for health insurance (2,160 in 2026-27), which can be waived with family coverage. The pages we read do not mention an engineering surcharge. 2027-28 costs are not yet published.
• International students: RPI admits international students to all programs except the B.S./M.D. program. International undergraduates have only limited merit scholarships of up to USD 20,000 a year and must be prepared to pay the full cost. After you deposit, you submit the International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) showing at least one year of liquid funds (about USD 80,000).

9. Transfer

• Who is a transfer: anyone with 12 or more transferable college credits after high school. Apply with the Transfer Common App or the RPI Transfer Application; review is rolling.
• Deadlines: 1 June for fall, 1 November for spring.
• Required courses: at least pre-calculus-level math before enrolling, and most majors require a completed physics course; courses related to your intended major are strongly encouraged.
• GPA: RPI generally looks for 3.0 or higher, as a guide rather than a hard cutoff.
• 2:2 and 3:2: graduates with an A.S. from an affiliated two-year college may enter with full junior status if admitted; most affiliated colleges are listed for engineering (ENGR). The 3:2 Engineering Program is for students at partner liberal arts colleges after their junior year; most admitted students have at least a B average with A or B grades in calculus, calculus-based physics and chemistry.
• English for international transfers: IELTS 7.0 (higher than the 6.5 for first-year applicants); TOEFL 88, Duolingo 115 and PTE 59 are the same.

Application checklist

Students in China:

• Take math through pre-calculus (ideally calculus), plus chemistry and lab-based physics
• Submit by 1 November (ED I), 1 December (EA), 6 January (ED II) or 15 January (RD); no fee by 1 December
• TOEFL 88 (4.5), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115 by December; decide whether to send the SAT or ACT

Students in Canada (including BC):

• Same deadlines; a Canadian high school diploma exempts you from English tests
• RPI’s course expectations are in section 3; it does not say how BC courses map, so ask Admissions

Transfer students:

• Apply by 1 June (fall) or 1 November (spring); finish pre-calculus before enrolling, and physics for most majors

Sources: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, School of Engineering academics; Apply; Application FAQ; High school course work and credit; International applicants; Transfer applicants; Cost of attendance. Information is for fall 2027 entry; check RPI’s website for the latest.