First-year students applying to Rider should follow the application steps and deadlines below.
Not a first-year student? Visit our how to apply page for transfer, continuing education, international and graduate application information.
Available for Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 applicants.
Apply as a first-year undergraduate student (freshman) if you will have graduated from an accredited high school or passed the GED examination before your anticipated date of enrollment (you may be considered for admission as a degree-seeking student) OR if you have completed or are in the process of completing fewer than 12 college credits by the time that you enroll at Rider.
During your college search, you're likely to come across different terminology that may be unfamiliar. View our glossary of terms to help get you started.
Please note, you should apply as a transfer student if you are under the age of 25 and have completed or are in the process of completing 12 college credits or more by the time you enroll at Rider. Follow the steps to apply as a transfer student.
Steps to applyAvailable for Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 applicants.
Request from your school counselor to have your official high school transcript submitted to the university.
This letter should come from a school counselor or an individual who can describe your academic potential and personal characteristics. In addition to an academic letter of recommendation, the Office of Admission will also accept letters from individuals you have close relationships with such as coaches, employers, religious figures, etc.
Rider University is a Test Optional Institution. Please review our policy to learn more.
Rider does not require the optional essay/writing sections on the SAT or ACT. If you are not applying as a "Test Optional" applicant, submit* official scores via College Board for all tests taken:
*Scores uploaded by the student will not be accepted as official.
Superscoring: Rider will use only your best scores from each section; for the SAT & ACT, this may be components from different testing dates.
Have you already been accepted through our "Test Optional" program? If so, we strongly recommend that you send us your test scores. Your scores may be used for course placement, but will not affect your admission or scholarship.
Now is your chance to express yourself – let us get to know the real you – we know you're more than a series of facts and figures!
Rider’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is a state-sponsored program for New Jersey residents that provides financial and academic support for higher education to highly motivated students from educationally and economically challenged backgrounds. Discover program benefits and requirements to determine your eligibility.
The School of Communication, Media and Performing Arts and Westminster Choir College require an audition/interview as part of the application process for many of their majors. Program specific information and dates of campus auditions, scholarship competitions and regional auditions can be found in the auditions section. There is a non-refundable audition/interview fee of $50 to register for your audition/interview. The fee is collected at time of registration and must be paid in order for the registration form to be submitted.
Early Action is offered to students applying to audition-based programs. Early Action benefits are available to students applying to audition-based programs who are admitted and enroll by May 1.
NOTE, applicants to the B.F.A. Musical Theatre and B.F.A. Acting for Film, Television, and Theatre will not receive their admission nor merit-based scholarship by December 20.
You can follow the status of your application and receipt of required credentials on your "Be-A-Bronc Applicant Dashboard". After we receive your application, we will send you a link and your login credentials.
Below is an example of what you can expect your dashboard to look like:
