Please review our FAQ before submitting questions. International students, please email RUInternational@ugadm.rutgers.edu with your questions or comments.
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Rutgers Admissions Offices Rutgers-Camden
Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Admissions
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
406 Penn Street
Camden, New Jersey 08102-1499
856-225-6104
Building Location and Travel Directions
Rutgers-Newark
Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Admissions
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Engelhard Hall
190 University Ave
Newark, New Jersey 07102
973-353-5205
Building Location and Travel Directions
Rutgers-New Brunswick Office of University Undergraduate Admissions
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
65 Davidson Road, Room 202
Piscataway, New Jersey 08854-8097
732-445-4636 (Campus Information Services)
732-445-0237 Fax
Building Location and Travel Directions
Frequently Asked Questions Rutgers Academic Overview - What is Rutgers' faculty-to-student ratio? The Rutgers faculty-to-student ratio is 1:14. Students interact with faculty in the classroom and laboratory and during office hours and off-hours. Our full-time faculty members are undergraduate academic advisers, mentors and research partners.
- What is your average class size? Most (64 percent) Rutgers undergraduate classes had 30 or fewer students, and fewer than 7 percent enroll more than 100 students.
- Do you offer special services for veterans? Yes. For more information, visit Rutgers Veterans Services.
General Questions about the Rutgers Application Process - When does your online application become available for the forthcoming year? Each year our Application for Undergraduate Admission is available in early September.
- How long does it take for the Your Rutgers Status screen to show that my credentials have been received? It can take three weeks from the date your credentials sent to Rutgers for confirmation of their receipt to appear on the status screen. You should allow more time if your credentials are being sent from overseas.
- Does the major I choose on the application affect admissions consideration? No. You may indicate an area of interest when completing the application for undergraduate admission or you may choose "undecided." If you are admitted to Rutgers University, academic advisers are available to assist you with declaring a major.
- Do children of alumni receive special admissions consideration? No. Children, grandchildren and siblings of alumni do not receive special consideration in the admissions process. As a state university we provide each applicant with an equal opportunity to be admitted.
- Does Rutgers provide a downloadable version of the application? No, but you may print the preview version of our application for review. Once you begin your application, your information will be saved automatically between logins.Submitting your online application is fast and secure, and you will receive confirmation that we have received your application immediately upon submission.
- Does Rutgers require letters of recommendation? No, and letters of recommendation are not used for admissions consideration for Rutgers schools. Our application provides multiple opportunities for applicants to describe their accomplishments, activities, community service, and personal experiences. Please note Honors Programs at Rutgers colleges or schools may request letters of recommendation for admission.
- I cannot fit my essay in the space provided on the application. Can I send it separately? No. Essays submitted separately from the online application will not be considered.
- Can Rutgers return my application so that I can make some changes? No. Once the online application has been submitted, you cannot retrieve it to make changes. But rest assured, our system would not have allowed you to submit an application if it was missing any of the required information.
- Do you accept the common application? No. All students applying for admission to Rutgers must submit our Application for Undergraduate Admission. All of our forms are online for your immediate use.
- If I'm not happy with the essay I submitted with my online application, can I submit another? No. Once an application is completed, it cannot be reopened to add or make changes to the essay.
- Does Rutgers require an essay? The essay is required for all first-year applicants and recommended for transfer applicants.
- When will I receive my letter saying whether or not I have been admitted? We communicate all decisions through Your Rutgers Status within our designated time frames. Admitted students may accept or decline their offers of admission from the Your Rutgers Status site.
- How do I request reconsideration of my application? Requests for reconsideration must be based upon new academic information (that was not available at the time of the original decision) and which shows a significant improvement as compared to that previously submitted -- for example, a later term grade report or new SAT or ACT scores. Your request should include your full name and RUID and be sent with the required new academic information to:
Reconsideration Committee
Office of University Undergraduate Admissions
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
65 Davidson Road, Room 202
Piscataway NJ 08854-8097
Fax: 732-445-0237
Please note that requests for reconsideration rarely result in a different decision, and requests that do not include new academic information will not be considered.
- My application has been withdrawn from consideration because I didn’t send my credentials on time. Can I reinstate it? Your applications will automatically be reinstated for all schools to which you applied and that are still accepting applications on the date we received all the items required to complete your application.
- Can Rutgers return the paperwork I submitted? No, we are not able to return the credentials submitted to us.
- I was admitted to a school to which I didn't apply. How is that possible? Our goal is to provide maximum consideration for every applicant. If we are unable to offer you admission to the school(s) you have selected, we will consider your application for other appropriate Rutgers school choices.
- I have a bachelor's degree from another school and I am looking to take some courses at as non-degree student. How do I apply? Students interested in non-degree study should apply using our Undergraduate Admissions Application. Please pay the application fee and send an official college transcript showing that you have earned a bachelor's degree. Please note that we cannot guarantee course availability for non-degree students. If admitted, students should contact the academic department offering the course they wish to take to inquire about obtaining a special permission number. All Rutgers students can visit the online course registration system to check course availability.
- Does Rutgers comply with the New Jersey College Student and Parent Consumer Information Act? Yes, please see the information posted here.
- I am a current high school student. If I submit my high school transcript instead of a Self-Reported Academic Record, will you still consider my application? No. We do not accept interim high school transcripts in lieu of the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR), and Rutgers will not review transcripts submitted instead of a SRAR. You should obtain your transcript from your guidance counselor so that you can complete the SRAR with accurate information. Once students graduate from high school we require directly from the high school a final official transcript showing all courses and in grades 9 through 12 grade, along with your graduation date. Please know the SRAR puts you in control of your application. It is easy to use; you can save as you go. You will receive immediate confirmation when you submit the form. It eliminates missed deadlines due to factors out of your control – whether it be at the high school or the US mail. It is also great for the environment, saving paper (and therefore trees) and reducing carbon use.
- Do you consider the writing portion of the SAT? Yes. We consider the writing portion of the SAT in our decision-making process.
- Is there a minimum SAT or ACT score requirement? No. Standardized tests were designed to be used in conjunction with a student's high school record, so Rutgers does not pre-set a minimum SAT or ACT score for admission to any of our colleges or schools Rutgers looks at all of the required credentials a student submits and places greater emphasis on the student's academic performance as reflected on the Self-Reported Academic Record.
- I plan to retake the SAT but my updated scores may not be available until after December 1. Should I submit my most recent scores by the due date and send my updated scores when available? You should submit at least one set of scores by the Regular Action due date, to ensure consideration for all schools to which you applied. Your updated SAT scores will be considered if they are received before a decision has been made on your application. We cannot guarantee that decisions will not be made before we receive your new scores. Students who have a planned SAT date should indicate this on their applications.
- Does Rutgers accept the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma? Yes. Rutgers University recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions recommends advanced placement credit for Higher Level passes of five, six, and seven. Final decisions, however, rest with the college/school deans and/or department chairs who may require a syllabus before making such decisions. One exception: Mason Gross School of the Arts will consider credit for liberal arts courses, but not for art or music courses until the dean reviews a portfolio and/or tape.
- Do I need to submit my Advanced Placement (AP) scores with my application? No. Only enrolling students should arrange to have their AP scores sent to Rutgers.
- Do you offer scholarships to students who apply after the regular action due date? Students whose applications are not complete by the regular action due date are not generally considered for scholarships. If scholarship dollars are available, however, we may offer them to later applicants.
- Should I submit my mid-year grades? Mid-year grade reports are not needed for initial consideration unless requested by the admissions committee. However, students placed on the waiting list should definitely submit mid-year grades as soon as they are available.
- I need help with course selection for my upcoming senior year. Is there someone that can help me with this? We suggest you discuss your senior course schedule with your guidance counselor so that you can choose the schedule that is most appropriate for reaching your goals. The strength of an applicant's senior year program is one of the many factors we consider during our review process. Please note that your online Self-Reported Academic Record must show that you will graduate with at least 16 academic units. Click here for more information about our entrance requirements.
- I am interested in taking courses as a visiting student. How do I apply? Students who are/have been matriculated at another college or university and wish to take courses at Rutgers to transfer back to their home institution should apply for non-degree study using our application for undergraduate admission. The application fee as well as official high school and college transcripts will be required. You must be in good standing at your current or most recent school.
- I plan on transferring to Rutgers but need assistance with course selection at my current school. Is there someone that can help me with this? You may consult the course catalog if you plan to transfer to Rutgers University and need assistance with course selection at your current institution. The catalog will provide you with information regarding all of the academic programs at Rutgers University. You will want to take academic courses similar to those taken by Rutgers students. If you plan to transfer to Rutgers from one of the New Jersey county colleges, you should consult the New Jersey Transfer web site. This site enables NJ county college students to view Recommended Transfer Programs (RTP) for the first two years of each Rutgers major and assess the transferability of the courses they are completing at their county college.
- Can I visit the admissions office and have my college transcript evaluated for transfer credit? No. While you may see a counselor at your request, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions does not conduct credit evaluations. The advanced standing granted to a transfer student is determined by an official evaluation of courses by the dean of the college/school at which the student will enroll. This evaluation takes place after the student has accepted an offer of admission. In general, credit is granted for academic courses taken at accredited colleges and universities and which are the equivalent of courses offered by Rutgers University, provided a grade of at least a "C" has been earned.
- Do transfer students need to submit a high school transcript? Yes.Transfer students must also demonstrate completion of our specific high school entrance requirements.
- Can transfer students apply directly to the Rutgers Business School-New Brunswick? Yes. Transfer students now can apply directly to the Rutgers Business School-New Brunswick.
- Can transfer students defer admission? No. Transfer students are not eligible for deferrals of admission, unless they are called to serve as members of the U.S. armed forces.
- Will you wait to receive my current semester's grades before making a decision on my application? No. We will review your application with your grades for all courses completed by the application date. Because the grades for your courses in progress may not be available until we have concluded the review of applications, we cannot guarantee our ability to wait for them.
- I owe money to my previous school, so I will not be able to have an official transcript sent to Rutgers. Can I still apply? No. We will not process a student's application if there is a financial hold on that student's college record(s). Academic records are required for our application review process, so students should resolve any financial holds on their academic records at other institutions before applying to Rutgers.
Questions From International Students and U.S. Residents Studying Abroad - I am currently attending a U.S. high school, but some of my high school education was completed in another country. Am I still required to submit an English proficiency examination score? Although not required, we will consider an English proficiency examination score from a student who has been studying in a U.S. high school for less than two years. For other students, these test results would not influence our final decision.
- My status screen shows that you still need my foreign college transcripts but I already submitted my transcript evaluations from an evaluation service. What else do I need to submit? A transcript evaluation completed by an evaluation service does not serve as an official school record. A student's application for admission is not complete until we have received all official secondary school records, all official university or college records showing yearly subjects and marks, and appropriate test scores. Please note: A credit evaluation from an evaluation service also does not determine which credits will transfer to the university.
- I am required to submit an English proficiency examination score with my application, but I do not have my score yet. Is it possible to be admitted to Rutgers under the condition that I submit an acceptable English proficiency examination score before I enroll? No. International students must demonstrate the required level of English proficiency to be admitted as degree candidates to Rutgers University. However, Rutgers may offer conditional admission via the English language proficiency program to students who have done well in their studies but who still need to improve their English language skills.
- Is financial aid available to international students? Rutgers may offer a limited number of merit scholarships to admitted international students, but need-based aid is not available to international students who study in the U.S. U.S. federal law specifies that need-based aid is available only to eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents ("green card" holders).
- Will you accept a faxed copy of my bank letter? No. For the I-20 to be issued to student visa holders, we must have original copies of financial documents.
- It will take quite some time to have my official foreign transcripts sent from my country. Can I bring my foreign transcripts to your office to have them certified by an admissions representative? Yes. Students may bring official copies of their foreign transcripts (along with photocopies) to our office to be certified as true copies of the originals. Please note that we are unable to make photocopies. Students must bring copies of the documents for which they are seeking certification.
- My documents are not in English. Do I need to provide translations? Yes. Documents not in English must be accompanied by a translation verified by a language professor or professional translator, and they must be presented on the professional letterhead of the translator.
- Can my bank letter show a lesser amount than what is indicated on the International Student Financial Statement (ISFS)? No. U.S. government regulations require students who will hold a student F-1 visa to prove to the university that they will be financially supported for the entire time they intend to be enrolled. Therefore, the projected funds indicated on the International Student Financial Statement must equal or exceed the annual minimum required.
- I am a U.S. citizen attending a foreign high school. Am I required to submit an English proficiency examination score? Yes. Regardless of an applicant's residency status, an English proficiency examination is required of all students whose secondary schooling has been outside the U.S. in a country where English is not the principal language.
- I currently reside in the U.S., but all of my education was completed in a foreign country. Should I apply as an international student? Our application does not ask students to identify themselves as "international." Instead, all applicants are asked to indicate whether they are a US citizen, green card holder, or non-US citizen, non-green card holder. If the student selects the latter, they must indicate the visa they plan to hold while attending Rutgers. Please note that government regulations require students who will hold a student (F-1) visa to prove to the university that they will be financially supported for the entire time they intend to be enrolled. More information about required financial documentation for student visa holders is here.
- Can you return my transcripts? No. We cannot return any credentials.
My Question Is Not Listed Here - To which of our regional campuses would you like to submit your question?