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#12 Best Private Colleges in New York

RPI Admission Requirements

Troy, New York

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Your chances of getting into Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

64.5%
Admission Difficulty for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at RPI is 64.5%.  Its admission rate is the 60th lowest in New York.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into RPI and can you get accepted?

RPI is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 10,878 out of the 16,863 who applied were admitted.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.88. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into RPI?

65% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.88 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1440 on the SAT
  • Score 32 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

RPI GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.88

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into RPI are to have around a 3.88 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as RPI accepts 65% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at RPI is 3.88 on the 4.0 scale. 33% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #7 in New York for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since RPI is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 33.41% Good
3.75 to 3.99 33.74% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 20.65% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 8.13% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 2.85% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.98% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.24% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

RPI SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 52% of students submitted SAT scores and 15% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1360-1520

Applicants Submitting SAT 

52%
SAT Scores for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 660
Math 25th Percentile 700
Composite 25th Percentile 1360
SAT Scores for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 740
Math 75th Percentile 780
Composite 75th Percentile 1520
Average SAT Score 1440

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at RPI is 1440 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1360-1520. Students who get into Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute score in the top 7 percent of all SAT test takers..  RPI ranks #12 in the state of New York and #68 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1440 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. RPI regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1360 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1360, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1280, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1440 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1440, you have around a 65% chance of being admitted. A 1520 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 78% chance of getting in.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1520 and Above Good >78%
1440 to 1520 Avg + 65%-78%
1360 to 1440 Avg - 49%-65%
1280 to 1360 Reach 34%-49%
Less than 1280 Low <34%
Calculate My Chances 

RPI ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

30-34 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

15%
ACT Scores for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile 30
ACT Scores for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile 34
Average ACT Score 32

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into RPI?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to RPI is 32, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 30 and 34.  The school ranks #11 in New York and #73 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 32. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 30 and score in the score in the top 7 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 28.

15 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into RPI for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 32 score has around 65% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 78% with a 34 ACT score.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
34 and Above Good >78%
32 to 34 Avg + 65%-78%
30 to 32 Avg - 49%-65%
28 to 30 Reach 34%-49%
Less than 28 Low <34%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

55% of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 55%
Top 25% of class 88%
Top 50% of class 97%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,656 11,196 16,863
Accepted 3,459 7,417 10,878
Acceptance Rate 61% 66% 65%
Enrolled 591 1,410 2,002
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 17% 19% 18%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

21

Applicants have 21 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Required to be considered for admission
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Required to be considered for admission

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because RPI is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.88 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1440 on the SAT and 32 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=194824 IPEDS survey data for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Last updated February 24, 2024