Students are expected to attend Rensselaer the summer after their second year, followed by a semester-away experience (as dictated by their program) during their third year. Students who have secured a summer opportunity for their arch-designated summer or experience a summer academic conflict may apply for review and approval to override the summer course portion of the Institute requirement.
Please Note: There is no guarantee a Summer Away Request will be granted by simply applying. Students must keep their fall or spring away semester designation until approval is granted. Once approved, The Arch will update the away term to summer. If students neglect to register their Archway, it will not be counted as approved.
Application Guidelines
- Submitting a Summer Away Request must meet the away term requirements and registration requirements.
- All students must complete the Exploration and Planning course (ADMN 1030), through CCPD, regardless of their summer opportunity approval.
- All students must also complete ILEA 4400 Independent Learning Experience, a course administered through LMS during the Away Semester.
- The Summer Away Request Review Committee does not review Student Health and/or Finance applications. Any submissions regarding health/finance issues should be referred to the appropriate office for follow-up.
- Approvals are sent out on a rolling basis and students will receive a decision no later than April 18, 2025.
- If your request is denied, you will be required to register for the Arch Summer Term with at least 12 credits and complete a summer housing application.
- If your request is approved, you must register your Away Experience within SIS and complete ILEA 4400. You will receive additional information about this in your decision letter.
Application For Summer Away Request
Students approved for a Summer Away experience must register their experience for summer in SIS instead of course registration. The Summer Away registration should be visible on the official transcript. Failure to properly register any requested Away Term will impact your graduation completion requirements.
The Summer Away Request Form will be available as: (Applications available through March 31, 2025. No submissions will be considered after the March 31st, 5PM EDT deadline.)
- Summer Away Term Request Form (Now Closed for Summer 2025)
- PDF of Summer Away Term Request Materials to Upload
Additionally, the following departments on campus will be notified of the decisions:
- The Arch/Student Transitions
- CCPD
- Undergraduate Education
- Registrar
- Office of Financial Aid
- Student Living and Learning
- Office of International Services for Students and Scholars
- Office of International Programs
- Associate Dean of the School for the student’s primary major
- Athletics
- ROTC
Contact oue@rpi.edu with questions regarding the Academic, Athletic, or ROTC submissions.
Contact ccpd@rpi.edu with questions regarding the Career or Non-Traditional submissions.
The Arch Program is a requirement and Summer Away Request approvals are limited.
By completing the Summer Away Request, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the requirements for the Arch Semester Away.
Students have selected Still Seeking have until April 23, the last day of classes, to provide their additional documentation for a secured Away Opportunity.
Additionally, you acknowledge that this submission is for one specific request.
Any changes after receiving approval requires you to submit a new form.