Spring 2026 New Student Orientation Schedule

Spring 2026 New Student Orientation Schedule

Hello {{Preferred-Name}}!

Our team has come together to create an Orientation schedule that will meet all of your needs as you learn to navigate the RPI community. We are excited to welcome you to campus in January and look forward to meeting you! Below, you will find an outline of the New Student Orientation Schedule that will address the following areas:

Advising and Registration
Class Finding Tour
Community Building
Resource Deep Dive

We recommend all new students be prepared for a full-time commitment of engagement from Friday, January 9 through Sunday, January 11. However, in the event that you are unable to attend a scheduled event, please note that there are certain programs that we consider to be mandatory (noted below).

If you have not completed registration for orientation on Friday, January 9, please do so by December 19. Lunch will be provided, along with registration packets and other important information. A schedule of the full New Student Orientation program is available below. In addition to the Orientation registration form, ALL new students must complete the New Student Orientation event form, linked here. This form allows us to best track who will be in attendance at the non-mandatory Orientation events.

Please follow the instructions at this website to submit a photo for your Student ID. This should be completed by Friday, December 19, 2025 to allow for processing time.

If there are any changes to the schedule below, students will be notified as soon as the information is available for sharing. If you have any questions related to your transition, please connect with us by phone or email listed below.

We'll see you soon,

The Retention & Student Transitions Team
fye@rpi.edu
518.276.6864

Spring '26 Course Registration Information >>

New Students joining RPI for the Spring 2026 semester were able to begin registering for classes online on Monday, December 8, 2025. Your advisors should already have been in communication with you to assist with the course registration process. In addition, advisors will be available at the New Student Orientation on Friday, January 9, 2026 for in-person advising.

New Student Orientation Schedule >>

Friday, January 9, 2026
Residential Move-In with Student Living and Learning Team | 9-11 a.m.
*New Student Orientation | 12-4:30 p.m. | Heffner Alumni House
New Student Game Night | 6-8 p.m.

Saturday, January 10, 2026
*New Student Brunch & Class Finding Tour | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
New Student Night @ the RPI Hockey Game | 3 p.m. | Houston Field House

Sunday, January 11, 2026
*New Student Success Seminar | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

* Indicates the event is mandatory for new undergraduate students.

You must register for all events that you plan to attend.

Campus Map

New Student Check List >>

Register for New Student Orientation on Friday, January 9, 2026.
Your Rensselaer 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: Activate your RCS ID and other important university systems. RPI email will be your primary way of receiving official updates, including billing and financial aid. register for Box, Student Information System (SIS), RPI email and accessing RPI systems including your required Duo Multi-Factor authentication for detailed information on enrolling in the section to activate. Need help? Contact the Help Desk. You will need your RIN (Rensselaer ID Number) which is often used to verify your identity at RPI. Moving forward, all official business from RPI will go to your RPI email and no other email addresses. Therefore, we suggest you check your RPI email daily.
Complete compliance modules in Percipio.
Register for housing. All new 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 new RCS ID and password to log in. For students entering as Juniors, you can search for Off-Campus housing here.
Complete pre-entrance health forms and immunization documentation, enroll in or waive out of the student health insurance plan, and complete the required online education modules (AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates). Please visit the Student Health site for details.

OUR ON-CAMPUS LOCATION
1601 15th Street, Suite 4600
Visitor parking is in the front of the building. There is an accessibility ramp available on the side of the building.

Additional Resources >>

The Student Success Center
518.276.6269
studentsuccess @rpi.edu

Bursar
518.276.6610
bursar@rpi.edu

Financial Aid
518.276.6813
finaid@rpi.edu

Center for Career and Professional Development
518.276.6234
ccpd@rpi.edu

Access and Neurodiverse Student Success
518.276.8022
dss@rpi.edu

Registrar
518.276.6231
registrar@rpi.edu

The Dean of Students Office
518.276.6266
doso@rpi.edu

International Services for Students and Scholars (ISSS)
518.276.4966
ISSSOffice @rpi.edu