How to Apply to Computer Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: The B.S. in Computer Science in the School of Science, Choosing a Major on the Application and Switching In Later, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

2026-10-18 · Application guides

RPI’s B.S. in Computer Science is in the School of Science and is the largest major on campus, with over 1,400 undergraduates. The degree requires 128 credits, including 28–32 free elective credits, and assumes no programming experience. You can choose the major on your application. For fall 2027 entry, Early Decision I closes on 1 November, Early Action on 1 December, Early Decision II on 6 January and Regular Decision on 15 January, and testing is optional. International applicants need IELTS 6.5 and are eligible only for limited merit scholarships of up to USD 20,000 a year; the 2026-27 cost of attendance is USD 90,076. Based on RPI’s official information, this guide covers the degree, switching into CS, applying from China and Canada, transfer and costs.

At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), undergraduate computer science is in the School of Science, and the degree is the B.S. in Computer Science. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on RPI’s website, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Choose the major on your application; switching in later has a bar

On the application: you can declare a specific major, or choose undeclared within a school (for example undeclared engineering). Admissions encourages you to be as specific as you can; after submitting, you can change your major with the Change in Major Form in your portal. New students typically begin with one major and can talk to an adviser about a dual degree or minor after the first semester.
Size: the department says computer science has had the largest incoming freshman class of any major for the last six years, became the largest major on campus in 2018, and has over 1,400 undergraduates.
Switching from another major (updated by the department on 12 November 2025): take CSCI 1100 Computer Science I and CSCI 1200 Data Structures in your first year. You will be admitted to the major only after earning a C– or higher in CSCI 1200 or CSCI 2200 Foundations of Computer Science at RPI; otherwise you can petition. The same rule applies to dual majors.

2. Curriculum

Credits: 128, including required science, mathematics and humanities, arts and social sciences courses. The CS core is a sequence of named courses plus a capstone requirement completed through a sequence of courses in a focus area; for students starting in fall 2023 or later, these focus areas have become specific tracks.
Track names: the curriculum templates for each entering class are hosted on a third-party file site and were not read for this guide; see the fall 2026 template linked from the department site, or ask the department’s undergraduate adviser.
Free electives: 28–32 free elective credits, often used for dual degrees or minors. Dual majors with most departments fit within 128 credits; with engineering, one department page says up to 136 credits and another says 134 for a dual with computer engineering. Check the department’s latest guidance.
Languages: lower-level courses mainly use Python (CSCI 1100), C++ (CSCI 1200 and 2300) and Java (CSCI 2600), with C, Assembly, Scheme and others later.
No experience needed: Computer Science I assumes no prior programming. Only students with CSCI 1100 credit from AP or transfer can go straight to Data Structures; a 4 or 5 on AP Computer Science A gives CSCI 1100 credit.
Mathematics: the department lists suggested courses such as Introduction to Linear Algebra (MATH 2100, which science majors take from fall 2026 instead of MATH 2010 or 4100), differential equations, computability and logic, graph theory, advanced calculus, probability and mathematical statistics; some tracks have specific math requirements.
Credits at RPI: CS majors must take at least five of their eight named required CSCI courses at RPI, and earn at least 32 CSCI credits at RPI.
Other opportunities: the Rensselaer Center for Open Source (RCOS), undergraduate research, co-ops, a co-terminal program for a bachelor’s and master’s within five years, and an accelerated B.S. + Ph.D. program.
Outcomes: the department reports an average starting salary of USD 101,923 for the class of 2024.

3. Application rounds (fall 2027 entry)

Early Decision I (binding): due 1 November, notification 12 December.
Early Action (non-binding): due 1 December, notification 30 January.
Early Decision II (binding): due 6 January; the admissions page gives 16 January as the notification date.
Regular Decision: due 15 January, notification 6 March.
Materials: Common App or the RPI application; official high school transcript; one recommendation from a counselor or teacher, preferably a math or science teacher. The application fee is USD 70, waived for applications submitted by 1 December. RPI does not conduct interviews.
Testing optional: for fall 2027 you can choose whether to submit the SAT or ACT, and RPI says it will remain test-optional through the fall 2030 application cycle. RPI superscores the SAT, considers only the highest ACT composite, and tests must be taken by the December test date.
High school courses: four years of mathematics through pre-calculus (calculus recommended) and three years of science including chemistry and lab-based physics. IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL does not meet the pre-calculus requirement.

4. Students at high schools in China

Transcripts: official transcripts of all secondary schooling, 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.
English: required for non-native speakers, with official scores sent by the testing agency. For first-year applicants: TOEFL iBT 88 (4.5 on the new scale), IELTS 6.5 overall, Duolingo 115 or PTE 59. You are exempt with SAT EBRW 640+, ACT English 22+, IB English A HL 6+, IGCSE or A/AS-level English at B or higher, or Cambridge B2 First or C1 Advanced 185+.
Interview: international applicants are encouraged, not required, to do an InitialView, Duolingo or Vericant interview.
AP and IB credit: a 4 or 5 on AP Calculus BC gives credit for Calculus I and II; IB higher-level scores of 6 or 7 usually earn credit, and standard-level exams are not considered.

5. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

English: Canada is on RPI’s list of English-medium countries, so applicants who complete a high school diploma in Canada are exempt from English testing.
Diploma: RPI says Ontario students may submit the OSSD; it does not mention the BC diploma separately or publish grade requirements for Canadian curricula, so ask admissions.

6. Costs and aid

2026-27 undergraduate cost of attendance (USD): tuition 66,300, fees 1,676, food and housing 18,870, books and supplies 1,410, personal 1,280, transportation 540, total 90,076. All students also need a laptop (about 2,000 if bought from RPI), and required health insurance costs 2,160 for 2026-27 unless waived with family coverage. Costs for 2027-28 have not been published.
International aid: only limited merit scholarships of up to USD 20,000 a year; non-US citizens and permanent residents must be prepared to cover the full cost. Admitted international students who enroll must submit the International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) with evidence of about USD 80,000 in liquid funds for one year.

7. Transfer students

Who counts: students with 12 or more transferable college credits after high school. Apply through the Transfer Common App or the RPI Transfer Application; review is rolling.
Deadlines: 1 June for fall, 1 November for spring.
Academic requirements: complete at least pre-calculus-level mathematics before enrolling, and most majors require physics before enrolling; RPI generally looks for a 3.0 GPA, as a guide rather than a hard cutoff.
CS credit: an introductory programming course in C, C++, Java or another prominent language can be considered equivalent to Computer Science I; transfer students with CSCI 1100 credit are advised to start with CSCI 1200.
English for international transfers: the same page lists IELTS 7.0 for international transfers (6.5 for first-year applicants), with the same TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE scores. You are exempt after 24 semester credits (excluding ESL) at a college in the US or a listed country, or with College Composition I and II at B or better at a US college.
Aid: international transfers also have only limited merit scholarships of up to USD 20,000 a year and must submit proof of funds.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

Choose Computer Science on the application; ED I 1 November, EA 1 December, ED II 6 January or RD 15 January
Four years of math, plus chemistry and lab physics; a recommendation ideally from a math or science teacher
TOEFL 88 (4.5 new scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115; SAT/ACT optional
Prepare proof of about USD 80,000 for one year

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

A Canadian high school diploma exempts you from English testing; ask admissions how BC courses are assessed

Transfer students:

Apply by 1 June for fall or 1 November for spring; at least 12 transferable credits, pre-calculus and physics, GPA around 3.0

Sources: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, B.S. in Computer Science; CS prospective student FAQs; Apply; Application FAQs; Course and testing requirements; International applicants; Transfer applicants; International transfer students; 2026-27 cost of attendance. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check RPI for the latest details.