Rutgers Application: A Step-By-Step Guide

Applying to Rutgers University as a first-year undergraduate student involves a few key steps. Firstly, you'll need to choose between the Common App and the Rutgers Application. The Common App is specifically for fall, first-year students seeking full-time degree study, while the Rutgers Application is for other types of applicants, such as transfer applicants or those interested in part-time enrollment. Once you've selected the appropriate application, you'll need to provide various credentials, including high school transcripts, test scores (optional), and a short essay. There is also a \$70 non-refundable application fee, although fee waivers are available for certain students. Additionally, current high school seniors are required to complete the Rutgers Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). It's important to note that Rutgers University makes admissions decisions based on a holistic review of each applicant, considering academic performance, extracurricular activities, and other factors.

Application dates and deadlines

First-Year Applicants

First-year applicants are those who are currently enrolled in high school, have graduated from high school and have never attended college, or have been enrolled in college but will have completed fewer than 12 academic post-high school graduation college credits before enrolling at Rutgers.

The application deadline for first-year early action (fall semester) is November 1. The deadline for first-year regular decision (fall semester) is December 1.

Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants are those who have graduated from high school and have completed 12 or more college credits.

The application deadline for transfer applicants for the spring semester is October 1. For the fall semester, the deadline is February 1.

International Applicants

International applicants whose secondary schooling has been outside the U.S. in a country where English is not the principal language are required to take an English proficiency test.

Part-Time & Non-Degree Applicants

Part-time and non-degree applicants should use the traditional Rutgers application.

Re-Enrollment Applicants

If you have previously enrolled in a Rutgers undergraduate degree program (other than the School of Health Professions) and wish to return to undergraduate courses, you must use the Re-Enrollment Application.

School-to-School Applicants

If you are currently enrolled in a Rutgers undergraduate degree program (other than the School of Health Professions) and wish to transfer to another Rutgers undergraduate school, you must use the School-to-School Application.

Required credentials

The credentials you need to apply to Rutgers University depend on your status as a first-year or transfer applicant, and whether you are a domestic or international student.

First-Year Applicants

If you are a first-year applicant, you must be a current high school senior and complete the Rutgers Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). You will also need to submit a short, original essay included in the space provided on the application. The essay should be between 250 and 3800 characters and address one of the following topics:

• A background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful that you believe your application would be incomplete without it.
• A time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure, and how it affected you and what you learned from it.
• A time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea, and what prompted your thinking and what the outcome was.
• A time when someone did something for you that made you happy or thankful in a surprising way, and how this gratitude has affected or motivated you.
• An accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• A topic, idea, or concept that you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time, and why it captivates you, and what or who you turn to when you want to learn more.
• An essay of your choice.

Additionally, you will need to pay a $70 non-refundable application fee, which can be done through an online payment gateway, by mailing a check, or by requesting an official fee waiver.

Transfer Applicants

If you are a transfer applicant, you will need to submit your college and high school transcripts or your GED results. You will also need to meet the specific required high school course subjects, which include:

• Foreign Language: 2 years of one language
• Mathematics: 3 years (including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II)
• Science: 2 years (one year each of Biology and Chemistry for the School of Nursing)
• Other Courses: 5 other academic courses
• Total: 16 academic courses

International Applicants

If you are an international applicant, you will need to submit an English proficiency test score if your secondary schooling has been outside the U.S. in a country where English is not the principal language, regardless of U.S. residency or citizenship.

Application process for first-year students

If you are a first-year student applying to Rutgers University–New Brunswick, you will need to complete and submit your application and required credentials. You can use the Common App or the Rutgers Application, but only choose one of these platforms. The Common App is specifically for fall, first-year students applying for full-time degree study. The Rutgers Application is for transfer applicants, those interested in spring or summer entry, part-time enrolment, off-campus locations, or online or non-degree study.

The application deadlines for the Fall Semester are November 1 for Early Action and December 1 for Regular Decision. For the Spring Semester, the deadline is October 1. You may apply after these deadlines to be considered under Rolling Admission, but applications submitted after October 1 for the Spring Semester or after December 1 for the Fall Semester will be considered after students who applied by the official deadline have been notified.

The application fee is $70 and is non-refundable. There are several ways to pay this fee, including by credit card or by cheque. Fee waivers are available for students who are currently serving in the US Military, are Military Veterans, or Military Dependents who plan to apply for educational benefits under the GI Bill. Students who participate in the National School Lunch Program also receive a waiver.

As part of your application, you will be required to submit a short, original essay of no more than 650 words. You can choose from a list of topics, including:

• A background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful that you believe your application would be incomplete without it.
• A time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure, and how it affected you.
• A time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea, and what prompted your thinking.
• Something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way, and how this gratitude has affected or motivated you.
• An accomplishment, event, or realisation that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• A topic, idea, or concept that you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time, and what or who you turn to when you want to learn more.

You can also submit an essay on a topic of your choice.

Other required credentials include the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) and a standardised test score, such as the SAT or ACT. However, submitting test scores is currently optional for undergraduate applicants.

You will also need to create a Rutgers Community ID. After submitting your application, you will receive an email with instructions for creating your Community ID within 24-48 hours. Your Community ID will allow you to access your Rutgers Application Portal, where you can view your application status and track required credentials.

Application fee

The application fee for Rutgers University-New Brunswick is $70. This fee is non-refundable and is required for your application to be considered complete and ready for review. You can pay the fee through the secure payment gateway when you submit your application online, or via a credit card on your Rutgers CommunityID account 24-72 hours after submitting your application. Alternatively, you can mail a check made payable to "Rutgers University", including your full name and RUID.

Fee Waivers

Rutgers University offers official fee waivers for students who participate in the National School Lunch Program, are currently serving in the U.S. Military, are Military Veterans, or Military Dependents who plan to apply for educational benefits under the GI Bill. The university also accepts official College Board, NACAC, ACT, and EOF fee waivers. If you are a current high school student and paying the application fee would be a financial hardship, you can see your high school counsellor for an official waiver. If you have already graduated from high school, you can ask a social service agency or another third party familiar with your financial situation to provide a letter requesting a waiver.

Application portal

The Rutgers application portal is where you will complete and submit your undergraduate application. You can access the application portal by creating a Rutgers CommunityID. You will receive an email with instructions on how to create your CommunityID 24-48 hours after submitting your application. If you are using the Rutgers Application, you will create your CommunityID upon beginning the application.

Your Rutgers CommunityID will allow you to access your Application Portal, where you can view your application status, track required credentials, and make changes to the information submitted within your application.

If you need to make changes to the information submitted within your application, you can do so online from your Rutgers CommunityID account. You can also complete and submit your undergraduate application, pay application and enrollment fees, and view official admissions decisions through your CommunityID account.

The Rutgers Application Portal also allows you to access your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). The SRAR is required for all current high school seniors and must include all courses and final grades earned from grades 9 through 11, as well as grade 12 courses in progress.

Additionally, the Application Portal enables you to view a list of required and received credentials, as well as add a school to your application. You can also use the portal to accept an offer of admission and change your enrollment information, such as your mailing address, phone number, and email address.

It is important to note that changes to your legal name, date of birth, and social security number must be done with documentation and cannot be updated directly through the Application Portal.

Frequently asked questions