Meet the Next Generation of Leaders, Scientists, Innovators, Game Designers, and Architects

During Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond, members of the the Class of 2014 participated in the annual greeting at the 8th Street Approach, where President Jackson greeted and shook hands with each member of the class as they headed to downtown Troy.

The incoming Class of 2014 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute promises to be an exceptional group, with an increase in average SAT scores and roughly 66 percent of the students coming from the top 10 percent of their high school classes. They represent the next generation of leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs, patent holders, and innovators, in fields ranging from engineering to architecture, from fine arts to science, and from management to information technology.

The class comprises 1,167 students, including a total of 123 transfer students from various institutions. The high-achieving group also includes 327 (28 percent of the class) women, and diversity in the national and international profile of the student body.

This year, the Office of Enrollment Management received 13,466 freshman applications. The record total represents a growth of nearly 9 percent since last year. Applications have set records for five consecutive years, increasing 142 percent since 2005.

Nearly 27 percent of the students are from areas outside of the Northeast. The first-year students hail from 42 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 14 foreign countries, reinforcing Rensselaer’s belief that a university must have global reach in order to have global impact.

“The rising application and student quality trends have run parallel with the exciting transformation that has occurred at Rensselaer over the last decade,” said Paul Marthers, vice president for enrollment and dean of undergraduate and graduate admissions at Rensselaer. “The freshman class is comprised of very bright students with a special interest in discovery, innovation, and interdisciplinary study in architecture, engineering, science, technology, management, and the intersection of technology with the humanities, arts, and social sciences.”

The Class of 2014 also includes students who are focused on reaching new heights through their accomplishments. There are 84 students who were valedictorians or salutatorians of their high schools, and many who are actively involved in music, research, and the arts. Members of the class come to Rensselaer having demonstrated extracurricular achievement, leadership, and support for civic engagement in various roles, including sports captains and class presidents, Eagle Scouts, and Girl Scout Gold Award winners.  

Of special note, the class also includes a student who served as an intern at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory; a student who is a jiu-jitsu national champion and another who is nationally ranked in archery; a student who worked as a background actor in Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe’s blockbuster movie, American Gangster; a student who is a lead singer in a punk rock group that has already produced its first album; a student who  has performed at the Grand Ole Opry; a student who has received national recognition for Irish step dancing; a student who performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and a student who has had perfect attendance since seventh grade.

The class also includes 89 legacies (students who are related to Rensselaer alumni). “This is a wonderful message about the Rensselaer education and the impact it has on alumni long after they’ve graduated from Rensselaer,” said Karen Long, director of undergraduate admissions. “The number of students following in the footsteps of family members demonstrates the longstanding connection Rensselaer makes with graduates to educate men and women who are the leaders of tomorrow.”

From Aug. 24-29, members of the incoming class participated in a weeklong program of welcome events and team-building adventures known as “Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond.” The events are designed to help ease the transition to college life by connecting new students to each other and to resources available on campus and in the local community. 

Contact: Jessica Otitigbe
Phone: (518) 276-6050
E-mail: otitij@rpi.edu