Navigating Your Journey: A Guide to Rutgers Accepted Students' Experience

Congratulations on your acceptance to Rutgers University! This article serves as a comprehensive guide for admitted students, outlining crucial steps and important dates to ensure a smooth transition into university life. From activating your NetID to attending orientation, this information will help you prepare for your academic journey.

Getting Started: Activating Your NetID and Enrolling in Two-Step Login

Your first crucial step is to activate your Rutgers NetID. This NetID grants you access to a wide array of electronic services available at Rutgers. Following NetID activation, enroll in a two-step login with Duo. The university requires all students to use a two-step login with Duo to access most services and tools requiring a NetID login, including the myRutgers dashboard. To learn more and enroll, follow the steps at it.rutgers.edu/two-step-login/.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Rutgers uses your FAFSA or New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application (NJAFAA) to develop financial aid packages based on your qualifications, financial need, and available university funds. Financial aid can include grants, scholarships, loans, and/or federal work study.

Important Financial Aid Dates and Information

Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application (NJAFAA). Rutgers’ federal school code is 002629. With the delayed release of the new FAFSA, you will receive financial aid notification in spring 2026. For more info, check here.
Financial aid awards for all admitted students-and scholarships for first‑year students-will be available through the Financial Aid Student Portal on my.rutgers.edu by early March for those who submitted a FAFSA or NJAFAA by January 15. Please note that this timeline may change.
All financial aid notifications are distributed between early March and May.
Financial aid award letters will be available online starting in spring for all admitted students who submitted a FAFSA by the January 15 priority deadline.
Merit Scholarships: Look for scholarship notification in March-April. Only those selected are notified. No separate application is required. Learn more about scholarships. In order to receive a merit scholarship, awarded students must accept your Rutgers University-Newark offer of admission no later than May 1. Rutgers University-Newark merit scholarships are not transferable internally from school to school or to the New Brunswick or Camden campuses.
Look for scholarship notification in the spring as well. Only those selected are notified. No separate application is required.

Health and Well-being

Rutgers University prioritizes the health and safety of its community.

Immunization and Health Insurance

Please submit all required immunizations and medical documents as soon as possible.
Before enrolling in health insurance, all students must register for classes. For health plan costs and enrollment procedures, please visit universityhealthplans.com.

Key Dates and Deadlines for Fall 2026

Mark your calendars with these important dates to stay on track:

Candidate Reply Date: May 1, 2026. Students admitted on or after May 1 should accept our offer within one week from the date of their admission to guarantee a seat in our incoming class.
Accept Your Offer: Accept our offer of admission by May 1 for fall enrollment through the Rutgers Application Portal. Reminder: Accept Your Enrollment. May 1 Deadline: Accept our offer of admission through the Application Portal by May 1 for fall enrollment.
Placement Testing: Complete placement tests from March -June. Tests are administered online.
Submit Final Transcripts: Submit your final official transcripts/certificates (first-year students only) by July 1. Your final records must include certification of any diplomas or degrees and final grades for courses in progress at the time of your admission. Your NetID and password are required.
Housing Assignment: Receive your housing assignment/roommate info in early August.
Pay Your Term Bill: Due date will be displayed on your bill. Review deadlines for fall enrollment.
Move-in: Move-in for all fall 2026 admitted students will begin in late-August.
International Student Orientation: International Student Orientation, for both first-year and transfer students, will take place in late-August.

Academic Advising and Course Registration

Advising and Course Selection

Attend an academic advising program available from May-August.
Meet with advisers and obtain assistance in selecting appropriate courses. Academic advising is also offered to students during International Student Orientation.
You are more likely to graduate on time by registering for at least 15 credits per semester. Find more information at myRutgers Dashboard.

Student Orientation

SOAR (Student Orientation, Advisement, and Registration)

Attend Student Orientation, Advisement, and Registration (SOAR). Meet other new students, familiarize yourself with campus, and have your questions answered. Spring and summer dates for SOAR Days are posted at myRutgers Dashboard.
Summer/Fall 2026 New Student Orientation sessions begin in late-June. First-Year sessions are two-day, overnight, and broken down by academic school. Students should register for an orientation session on myRutgers by Friday, June 5, 2026.
Transfer students complete an asynchronous online orientation program. Student Orientation is separate from transfer student STAR Day or advising and registration programming hosted by your school of enrollment. Visit transition.rutgers.edu to learn more.

Exploring Rutgers: Admitted Student Events and Rutgers Day

Undergraduate Admitted Student Events

Attend our Undergraduate Admitted Student Day Events - More Coming in Winter/Spring 2026 - HERE
Attend our Undergraduate Admitted Student Events - Coming in Spring/Summer 2026 - HERE

Rutgers Day and the Honors College

All admitted students and families are invited to attend Rutgers Day. The Honors College is just one stop for Honors College admitted students only while attending Rutgers Day. Please be sure to make time for attending academic and school-based activities to learn more about your specific school. The Honors College will be open at 5 Seminary Place on the College Avenue Campus.

Rutgers Day at the Honors College is a drop-in event and requires no registration. Sessions happen hourly with rotating tours taking place on an ongoing basis.
All admitted students and families are invited to attend Rutgers Day, but you must have received an invitation to the Honors College in order to participate in our events.
Lunch is not provided at the Honors College. Feel free to enjoy food at many available locations on campus, including The Yard at College Avenue, just a few blocks away.
Please note that the Information Sessions have a maximum capacity of 40 guests per session. If you are unable to attend an in-person Information Session, you can view a virtual Information Session on our Admissions webpage.
Tours depart from the Druskin (South) Lounge on a regular basis.

Rutgers Law School Admitted Student Days

Congratulations on your admission to Rutgers Law School! In an effort to aid your decision-making process, Rutgers Law School hosts in-person Admitted Student Days on the Camden and Newark locations, additional in-person events on the Camden campus, and virtual programs throughout the spring. Designed specifically for admitted students, these events will give you the opportunity to explore the Law School and location as well as engage with our students, staff, faculty, administrators, and alumni.

Important Information for Law School Admitted Student Days

Guests are not permitted to attend the in-person admitted student events.
The school is happy to accommodate an individual visit for you and your loved ones at another date and time for a tour of the Law School and conversation with a member of the Admissions team.
Both locations are accessible via mass transportation.

Read also: ACT Requirements for Rutgers

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