Step 1. New Student Orientation Spring 2026 | Please register for New Student Orientation. The full schedule for New Student Orientation will be emailed as we get closer to the start of the spring semester. Please notify us of any food allergies or special needs you have via this link. Questions? Contact the Office for Retention and Student Transitions at fye@rpi.edu or at (518) 276-6864.
Step 2. Move In & Orientation | All new students starting in Spring 2026 are required to move into campus (if applicable) on Friday, January 9, 2026 and will be expected to participate in New Student Orientation, which will run from Friday, January 9 through Sunday, January 11.
Step 3. Activate your RCS ID & RPI Email | Your RPI Computing System (RCS) ID is used to access RPI systems. To activate your RCS ID (needed to gain access to most RPI computing services), you will need your 16-digit PIN and the instructions below:
PIN: {{PIN}}
Click here to activate. After activating, visit this section for detailed information on enrolling in the required Duo Multi-Factor authentication and accessing RPI systems including your RPI email, Student Information System (SIS), register for Box and other important university systems. RPI email will be your primary way of receiving official updates, including billing and financial aid.
Need help? Contact the Help Desk. You will need your RIN (Rensselaer ID Number) which is {{RIN}} and is often used to verify your identity at RPI.
Step 4. Mobile Computing Program | RPI's academic programs require you to have a personal laptop. You have the option to order a laptop through our Mobile Computing Program, where you would receive a top-tier laptop designed for your RPI academic pursuits and an RPI branded backpack at a highly discounted price. They come with the best support services including free loaners to ensure you're never in a bind. Laptop options are available and you can order through SIS. We recommend placing your order by early December to ensure availability. Learn More
Step 5. Campus Compliance | All RPI students must complete compliance modules before beginning the new semester. To access the modules, please use the following link: rpi.percipio.com. The login for Percipio is your RCS ID (which is your RPI email minus the @rpi.edu) and your password to your RPI email account. You will see these modules in your "My Assignments" section on your home page. Alternatively, you can access the modules by selecting the drop-down menu on the upper right-hand side of your screen and selecting "Compliance".
Step 6. Student Health Requirements | Students must send in the Pre-Entrance Immunization Form that your physician's office completes and signs. You must also visit the Student Health Center website to complete the required forms via the Student Health Portal (click on the "New Student Health Requirements" tab). All full-time students must have health insurance that will provide emergency and non-emergency care in Troy, NY. To meet this requirement you must either enroll in or waive out of (with comparable insurance) the RPI health insurance plan. You can enroll or waive via the Insurance Enrollment/Waiver Portal (deadline is February 1).
Step 7. Course Advising and Registration | An RPI adviser will contact you to start the advising process and prepare you for registration. Spring 2026 New Students will be able to register for courses beginning December 8, 2025. To view your time ticket, please log into SIS, select "student menu" on the top tab. Once in the student menu, select "Check Registration Status" from the left-hand side, and your time ticket will be visible. This indication is when your account will be active, and you can add courses. Before registering, please review the "how to" video on adding classes. Advisers will also be at New Student Orientation on Friday, January 9 to assist with any last-minute changes you'd like to make to your schedule.
Step 8. Photo Identification | Please submit your photo for your RPI Student Identification Card. See the Campus Card Office website to begin this process. Your RPI Identification Card is a requirement for Residential Check-In. Students can pick up their Student ID Card on Friday, January 9, 2026 during Residential Move-In or they can receive their Student ID Card at New Student Orientation that afternoon.
Step 9. Housing | All students entering as a first-year or sophomore must live on-campus upon transition to RPI. Please sign-up for on-campus housing using your RCS ID and password to log in. Follow the prompts to complete the housing application and sign your housing contract. Housing preferences are accommodated based on the deposit paid date. Please complete the housing application by December 19.
If you have any housing-related inquiries, please feel free to get in touch with The Office of Student Living and Learning reslife@rpi.edu.
Transfer students may present unique circumstances - if you need to request a housing waiver, please do so before move-in. For students transferring enough credits in to be considered a junior, you are not required to live on-campus. Resources are available to assist you with finding an apartment or you can contact the Office of Off-Campus Services at offcampus@rpi.edu.
Step 10. Dining | All first-year students will be automatically enrolled in a campus dining plan. This plan includes the full use of residential dining facilities as well as funds that can be spent in retail locations. You will select a meal plan as part of the Housing Application. Additional meal plans are available to students who are not living on campus and those can be viewed here. If you have questions about the meal plan options, please call (518) 276-2018 or email dining@rpi.edu.
Step 11. Student Accounts and Billing | Semester eBills will become available after registration of courses is completed. You can access your eBill through your Student Information System (SIS) account, which will link you to Transact. In addition, you can designate an additional user in Transact by granting them to access the eBill. Instructions on how to access the portal and enroll another payer can be found at https://finance.rpi.edu/bursar/tuition-bill-ebill. |
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