Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is committed to enhancing the diversity of its graduate programs. To achieve that goal, Rensselaer’s Office of Graduate Admissions has developed the Diversity in Graduate Studies (DIGS) program. The DIGS program is designed to offer prospective Ph.D. applicants from populations underrepresented in STEM and related fields, a chance visit our campus at no cost prior to submitting an application for graduate study. DIGS applicants should complete a Graduate Student Visit Form and submit the required materials noted on the form.
DIGS visitors will:
- have the opportunity to meet with leading faculty in their area(s) of interest;
- be able to meet and network with current graduate students in their area(s) of interest;
- be provided with a tour of campus and/or relevant laboratories and research centers;
- have the opportunity to speak with Graduate Admissions staff about strategies for submitting a competitive application
Rensselaer will:
- arrange and provide reasonable transportation (air, rail, etc.) to campus;
- arrange and provide lodging at a hotel located near campus;
- reimburse or pay for meals ($50 per diem);
- provide DIGS visitors with an automatic graduate application fee waiver
Who is eligible to apply?
- Juniors, rising seniors, or master’s students who plan to apply for a Ph.D. program beginning in the Summer/Fall 2015 semester
Eligble students should have:
- have undergraduate research experience (eg. summer REU) and identify with a population underrepresented in STEM and related fields;
- be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.
When is the visit scheduled?
Unlike many visitation programs, the DIGS program is designed to be tailored individually to you (see application for exclusion dates). In the application, we will ask you for three (3) sets of dates when you would like to visit, and we will do our best to accommodate your schedule. Dates must be Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, and during the Spring or Fall semesters only. Please allow a minimum of four weeks from the day of your request, to allow proper planning. Prior to your visit, we will provide you with an agenda outlining the day’s events which typically include meetings with faculty, relevant staff, and current graduate students, as well as tours of relevant research facilities.
What is required to apply for a DIGS visit?
- A completed DIGS Application
- Current transcripts
- One recommendation letter from a faculty member or program director (McNair, MARC, etc.)
- An academic resume that includes undergraduate research experience
- GRE Scores (if available)
- A statement of interest (one to two pages)
