Abroad & Off-Campus Study
International study is a defining aspect of Rensselaer’s architectural education. The School of Architecture offers international semester long programs in Italy, India, Latin America, and New York City that are fully integrated into the requirements of the undergraduate degree. They have been established in four world cities that will challenge and help to define the future of architecture.
Each of these programs is open by competitive application to students in their fifth semester and above. Students are selected to participate in each program on the basis of academic accomplishment and the number of available seats. Members of the Rensselaer architectural faculty direct these students and additional instruction is provided by the faculty of our partner educational institutions or adjunct faculty in the host city. There is a program fee and field trip fee for participation in each of these programs – except for CASE NY.
Current Programs:
Application process for study abroad programs
Italy Fall 2024, CASE Fall 2024, CASE Spring 2025
For more details download study abroad flyer
Study abroad application details
1. Application details
- Portfolio: PDF format, no more than 10 letter-size pages (landscape or portrait), 10 MB max
- Letter of Interest: submit only one letter. (Even if you are applying to two programs). In the header line, in BOLD font, indicate your preference. For Example:
First choice: ITALY FALL 24.
Second Choice: CASE SP 25.
Save the letter, save as PDF,
On a single letter size page include:
First and Last Name, RIN, Email
Your current studio
A brief 300 word explanation indicating why you want to attend the program(s) you are applying to. Files must follow the naming protocol:
LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_FOLIO.pdf and LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_
ABROADPRGRAM_LETTER.pdf
2. Application process and details
- JURY: 3 Faculty appointed by the Dean will comprise the selection committee. In the event that one of the student’s applications is from a student currently enrolled in a course taught by a jury member, the jury member is obligated to recuse themselves from reviewing that particular student’s application.
- Students must submit an application to be considered. Roughly 25% of each cohort choose not to go abroad.
- Students must be in 2nd or 3rd year, in spring 24). 2nd & 3rd year students have an equal chance to go to Italy and CASE.
- Applications that are not in the required format or specifications may be removed by the jury from consideration.
- Students that have committed academic integrity violations will not be considered.
- The jury reviews applicants on the merits of their portfolio. Portfolios are reviewed by a jury of 3 faculty. To ensure that a diversity of the student design perspectives is taken into account the jury will be comprised of faculty who value experimental work and professionally developed projects.
- A concise letter helps the jury understand your ranked choices, and the merits of your application. The applicant should describe how the chosen cultural destination will benefit them as a future architect and outline the unique contribution they will make as a member of the study abroad cohort.
- Priority is NOT given to either cohort. If an applicant can demonstrate that they have ONLY one opportunity to have an abroad experience, they will be granted priority over a student that has an additional term to go abroad.
- A student that has completed a study abroad semester is only eligible to enroll in a second one if there are unfilled seats and their application satisfies all the requirements. Students who wish to attend CASE, and a study abroad must have an exceptional portfolio and GPA. GPA is used to resolve tiebreaks, and structure the order of the waitlist.
- The ranked list of accepted students is forwarded to the Undergraduate Chair, and the accepted and waitlisted students are notified. Each member of the jury will be assigned a numerical assessment matrix to evaluate each applicant. Students may appeal the decision of the jury to the Associate Dean.
- Applicants seeking financial assistance must submit a 300-word statement addressed to the Dean, explaining their current financial situation and how the funding support will contribute to their ability to study abroad.
Appeal process for acceptance to the study abroad programs
1. For study abroad appeals, the Associate Dean arranges a session in which:
- The student presents (10-20 minutes) his/her understanding of the application process and how he/she believes the application has met the criteria (the three reviewers of the appeal and the Associate Dean are present)
- The jury presents (10-20 minutes) their understanding of the application process and how they believe the application has met the criteria (the three reviewers of the appeal and the Associate Dean are present)
- After the respective presentations, the appeals committee makes a recommendation to the Dean. They may recommend any score, including one which is lower than that originally given.
2. The Dean will take the recommendation of the committee into consideration before making his final decision.
Study abroad frequently asked questions
Question: I’d like to know why there is no priority anymore? Also, does being on track to go to CASE fall 2024 already help at all?
Answer: The portfolio is judged on merit, not on a student’s cohort. Below is an explanation of why this is the most equitable outcome.
‘Priority’ existed when we had an arch away term that occurred in 4th year. It meant there was only one semester to go abroad in 4th year and during that period we had 3rd and 4th years competing for bi-annual programs. This meant that a 4th year may only get one chance to attend their 1st choice, while a 3rd had two options. In the current lottery everyone (2nd and 3rd year) has an equal chance to go to Italy in fall ’24 or to CASE. However, there are unique circumstances.
For example: once a portfolio makes the first cut, a priority may be warranted with some 3rd years if they cannot go abroad because they are required to take cd1 or cd2. In this instance priority is warranted to attend the only option that meets the student’s schedule. Other instances of a student requiring surgery in the fall or spring (or a legitimate hardship) may warrant a priority.
Being on track for CASE will be taken into account by the jury. This indicates it’s been your first choice.
Question: I was on track for the Japan track and I believe I still am as I recently learned it most likely will not be happening for my cohort. Should I reach out to someone to switch my track or is that already being done (putting my second option as my track)?
Answer: This information is helpful. The oversight of the study abroad tracks will now be managed by Jamie Obst.
Question: If applications are based off of GPA, will harder courses like CD1 be taken into consideration when comparing older students to younger ones?
Answer: Everyone’s gpa will be factored in using the same numerical assessment regardless of your cohort or the courses you have completed. If you can demonstrate in your letter that you have taken a leadership role in the school, it will help the jury understand that your contribution to the culture of the school extends beyond your gpa.
Question: If we plan to go to India and it doesn’t end up running, should we apply to Latin America for spring 25 just in case?
Answer: The letter of interest is an opportunity for you to explain your intent to the jury. Right now, we can only assess the programs we have confirmed – Italy fall ’24, CASE fall ’24 and spring ’25.
Question: If I do not get into my first choice, Italy fall ’24, would I be able to apply for Latin America in the spring?
Answer: Yes, however we currently have no confirmation regarding Latin America. We are working with the host institution.
Question: I was on the India track, but it seems like that is not going to be an option due to the lack of a school. I was also wondering how many projects we should be putting into our portfolio.
Answer: At this time, we cannot confirm India other than to say we are in negotiations. Rest assured we are doing our best to make it an opportunity for you. Regarding the portfolio, please see the SoA website for more details. There is no specific number of projects specified, however the website does offer details on the range of work that the jury will look for.