This week, we welcome the Class of 2026, our largest and most diverse class in Institute history, to the RPI family.
These students are joining our community from 47 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and from countries around the world. In fact, more than 100 members of the Class of 2026 are citizens of countries other than the United States.
The Class of 2026 is very talented academically — 94 students received a perfect math or reading SAT score and the class as a whole had an average SAT score of 1433. More than 60 incoming freshmen were valedictorians or salutatorians of their high school classes and more than 150 students were recipients of the Rensselaer Medal, a premier merit scholarship offered to outstanding math and science students.
In addition to their strong academic performance, members of the incoming class have accomplished some amazing feats prior to beginning their collegiate journeys. Members of this remarkable class:
- Served more than 3,000 meals a month to those in need during the pandemic.
- Performed at Carnegie Hall, on Jimmy Kimmel Live, with the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company, and in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
- Qualified for the Junior Olympics in synchronized swimming.
- Built scientific and military buoys that have been deployed in the Arctic.
- Worked on research with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
- Invented a device for the fine directional control of underwater vehicles.
- Created an artificial intelligence-based electrochemical biosensor to help diagnose cancer early.
View a fun infographic we created to highlight some interesting facts about our newest students.
Please join us in welcoming these remarkable students to our campus and community!
