BE A RIDER BRONC SPRING & FALL 2020 ENROLLMENT GUIDE LAWRENCEVILLE, NEW JERSEY RIDER.EDU/ADMISSIONS HERE’S WHERE TO LOOK 2 Next Steps | 4 Getting Ready for Classes | 6 Financial Aid | 8 Engaged Learning | 10 Living on Campus 12 Room Basics | 14 Campus Life Basics | 16 Good Eats | 18 Traditions | 20 Contacts IT’S TIME TO GET #RIDERREADY YOU’RE JUST A FEW STEPS AWAY FROM ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING ADVENTURES OF YOUR LIFE! Congratulations on your admission to Rider. You’ll be joining a community of students who dream big, work hard and know how to have fun together. Our focus on Engaged Learning means you’ll connect the lessons of the classroom to the real world in ways you never imagined — and you’ll be supported by faculty and staff who are laser-focused on helping you succeed. The good news is you’re nearly #RiderReady! This brochure will be your step-by-step guide as you finalize your enrollment at Rider. It’s also filled with helpful information as you prepare to join the Rider community. We hope you’ll decide to Be a Bronc and make Rider your home! CONNECT WITH YOUR PERSONAL ADMISSION COUNSELOR AT JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with your new RIDER.EDU/ADMCOUNSELOR classmates on Facebook at Rider University Class of 2024 RIDER UNIVERSITY RIDER.EDU | 1 WHAT ARE YOUR NEXT STEPS 1. COME CELEBRATE! Check the Next Steps insert in your Admitted Student Days We roll out the red carpet for you and your family during this acceptance folder for important official celebration of your admission to Rider. You’ll meet your dates like Admitted Student Days, Be new classmates, explore your academic major with our faculty, a Bronc for a Day, Transfer Tuesdays discover the many activities and organizations we offer, hear about how Engaged Learning at Rider will change the way you and Orientation — plus information on learn, and learn how you can connect to all Rider has to offer. how to secure your place at Rider. Watch for your invitation! Register at rider.edu/admittedstudents DID YOU APPLY TEST OPTIONAL? If you are a freshman who was admitted to Rider as a test-optional applicant and you took the SAT or ACT, you are strongly encouraged to send your scores to the Office of Admission by May 15. 2 ORIENTATION DATES SPRING 2020 For All New Incoming Students January 24 (Friday) FALL 2020 First-Year Student Orientation June 28-29 (Sunday-Monday) July 1-2 (Wednesday-Thursday) July 15-16 (Wednesday-Thursday) July 19-20 (Sunday-Monday) July 22-23 (Wednesday–Thursday) For the latest Orientation details, schedules and answers to frequently asked questions, visit rider.edu/orientation. International Student Orientation August 25–28 (Tuesday–Friday) International students who will be living on campus can arrive and move into their rooms on Tuesday evening, August 25. Transfer Student Orientation July 9 (Thursday) September 1 (Tuesday) 2. GET YOUR FINANCIAL AID IN ORDER 3. COME TO ORIENTATION! File the FAFSA if you haven’t yet done so. Our Orientation programs are packed with practical information To be considered for any need-based financial aid, filing the for you and your parents — mixed together with plenty of fun so Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is you can meet your newest friends and classmates. your first step. It’s faster and easier than ever before. Orientation — required of all first-year students — is brought You can begin filing the FAFSA anytime after October 1, 2019. to you by the Office of Transition Programs, located in the Bart For maximum aid consideration for fall 2020, file by February 1, Luedeke Center. It’s also your “one-stop shop” for quick assistance 2020. The FAFSA is available at fafsa.gov. Rider’s Federal and advice. School Code is 002628. You’ll be mailed a letter inviting you to register for Orientation. Talk with us. We’re here to help. That’s why you’ll be Want to know more? Learn what happens at Orientation at assigned a personal financial aid counselor who will remain rider.edu/orientation. with you throughout your years at Rider. To maximize your eligibility for funding, let us help you and your family develop a strategy for financing your education. Start by scheduling a phone or in-person meeting with your financial aid counselor. RIDER AND PLACEMENT TESTS You may be asked to take placement tests to help us determine the best level of study for you. Transfer students may be exempt based on previous college course work. For details, please visit rider.edu/orientation and click on “Placement Testing.” RIDER UNIVERSITY RIDER.EDU | 3 GETTING READY FOR CLASSES To change your major from the program of study to which you DON’T FORGET! CHANGING YOUR MAJOR? Your official transcripts must be were admitted, submit a written request to [email protected] before classes begin. received before the start of classes. 4 Transfer Credit Evaluation FINALIZE YOUR ACADEMIC RECORD If you are transferring courses to Rider, your credit evaluation Keep up your grades. Don’t slack off in the classroom includes only work that was recorded on your transcripts at once you’re admitted! Our offer of admission depends on your the time of Rider’s admission decision. A final evaluation of satisfactory completion of any academic work in progress all your credits, including those completed during the current before you enroll at Rider. term, will be sent after Rider’s Office of Admission receives the final official transcript from the college or university you are Be sure to have all Send us your (official!) results. currently attending. your official academic transcripts — including those for courses in progress — sent to Rider’s Office of Admission by August 3 Credit evaluations are processed by the academic for the fall semester or January 15 for the spring semester coordinator of the college to which you have been admitted. After — or as soon as your courses are completed. you receive your written credit evaluation, contact your college representative (see list below) concerning any questions you may have about your credits and further information. GET THE CREDIT YOU DESERVE Advanced Placement & International REGISTER FOR COURSES Baccalaureate Credit If you’ve taken College Board Advanced Placement (AP) subject Are You a First-Time Freshman? tests or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, you may receive You’ll register for classes during Orientation. credit if you submit your official score report to Rider’s Office of Admission. Our complete policies, including score requirements, Are You Transferring to Rider? are on our website at: Once you have paid your tuition deposit and received your credit evaluation, contact your college representative (see list • Advanced Placement (AP): rider.edu/AP below) for further information on choosing and registering • International Baccalaureate (IB): rider.edu/IB for classes. College Courses If you took courses for academic credit with a college while in high school, send Rider’s Office of Admission the official transcripts for a credit evaluation. 1,000+ internships, 100% 100+ Regional & National co-ops and field OF ALL RIDER are completed STUDENTS Presentations placements Student/faculty collaborations result in by Rider students each year as more than 100 joint presentations at part of their degree studies. professional conferences each year. complete at least one internship, field experience or co-op position before graduating. Norm Brodsky College of Liberal Arts & Sciences College of Education & Westminster College of the Arts College of Business Credit Evaluation Human Services Credit Evaluation & Credit Evaluation & Michele Figueroa, 609-896-5000 Ext. 7302 Credit Evaluation & Transfer Registration Transfer Registration [email protected] Transfer Registration Marjory Klein, 609-921-7100 Ext. 8230 Jaime Hall, 609-896-5293 Transfer Registration Terri Podgorski, 609-895-5710 [email protected] [email protected] Terri Marriott, 609-895-5454 [email protected] [email protected] RIDER UNIVERSITY RIDER.EDU | 5 FREQUENTLY ASKED FINANCIAL AID QUESTIONS HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT FINANCIAL AID? 2020-21 Expenses (Estimated) Official costs will be announced in spring 2020. THESE PROGRAMS ARE FOR YOU! Resident Commuter FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP Tuition $ 45,000 $ 45,000 Saturday, Jan. 25 Room & Board $ 15,500 N/A A comprehensive look at financial aid, available types of aid and Technology, Student Government $ 1,015 $ 1,015 how to file the FAFSA. One-to-one conversations also are offered. & Orientation Fee Total Direct Charges* $ 61,515 $ 46,015 FINANCIAL AID COUNSELING Saturday, April 18 Books & Supplies $ 1,500 $ 1,500 Meet one-to-one on campus with a financial aid counselor to discuss your specific needs and concerns. Personal Miscellaneous** $ 2,000 $ 4,600 Total Cost of Attendance $ 65,015 $ 52,115 OTHER OPPORTUNITIES You can meet with a Rider financial aid counselor at an Admitted * Actual costs may vary depending on program of study and housing choice. Student Day on March 7 or April 4 — or schedule a personal ** Personal Miscellaneous – Includes transportation, entertainment, clothing, additional meeting or phone call at any time. Call 609-896-5360 meals, etc. International students should refer to their I-20 documents, included with or email [email protected]. the letter of admission. QUESTIONS? If you have questions about financial aid or need help filing DID YOU KNOW? Need-based aid is not available the FAFSA, visit rider.edu/finaid or call 609-896-5360. to international students — but renewable scholarships are! 6 WHEN WILL I GET MY CAN I GET A JOB ON CAMPUS FINANCIAL AID OFFER? TO HELP WITH COSTS? Your financial aid offer will be made as soon as you are Rider offers all interested students work/study and other admitted to Rider University and have completed the FAFSA.