Welcome Families
Family Weekend Registration will go live September 30 and close October 11! The following Family Weekend schedule outlines programs included in our basic registration as well as some events that require tickets. Once registration opens on September 30th ticketed items will be for sale on the registration site. Enjoy our choose your own adventure format with or without your student as time allows!
Friday, October 18th
You'll need to stop at the Family Weekend Welcome Center to pick up your packet and spirit wear. We will have refreshments available that will help you feel Autumn in the air!
Join International Services for Students and Scholars to get your questions answered. Join here.
We are pleased to offer you a chance to experience what it's like to be a Rensselaer student! The classes listed will be open for you to visit on Friday. While these are mostly formal instructional periods, all are welcome to attend. Classroom space is limited. Please use the Classroom Experience link on the right for a list of open classes.
Do you have another student in the college search or just want a more in depth look from a student ambassadors point of view? Pre-registration is required.
Hear from current student leaders on the best ways to navigate your Rensselaer journey. This is an installment suitable for all cohorts but is a follow up of our orientation panel from August.
Join the Student, Living and Learning staff to learn more about housing options on campus.
Join ROTC to learn more about their programs.
Do you have another student in the college search or just want a more in depth look from a student ambassadors point of view? Pre-registration is required.
Come hear from staff in the Center for Career and Professional Development on how to use resources and programs available to students to assist in securing an opportunity. Topics covered include: hiring statistics, CCPD digital and in person resources, navigating the career management platform, and an overview of todays job market and hiring trends. Can’t make the session? Connect with the CCPD at ccpd@rpi.edu.
Join us for fun Chemistry demonstrations. This show is supported by the Rensselaer Chemistry Society.
Many of our upper-class and graduate students decide to live off-campus during their RPI Experience. Come learn more about the support and resources provided by the Off-Campus Commons and meet some of the landlords that work to support that transition to off-campus housing.
Burnout is quite the buzzword these days, and for good reason. It feels like everyone is burned out; is there any way to beat it? There is! Join us for this workshop which dives into the physiology of the stress cycle, the role stress plays in burnout, and evidence-based ways to reduce and prevent burnout in your day-to-day life.
An academic experience abroad is part of a well-rounded undergraduate education. Join Office of International Programs (OIP) staff and a panel of recent student returnees and current international exchange students to learn about Rensselaer’s undergraduate study abroad program. Light refreshments will be served. (photo credit - Shaine Hammarberg, Design, Innovation and Society ’25; Technical University of Denmark spring 2024)
Cheer on the Engineers as they play Ithaca College
This weekend is intended to welcome the family and friends of Cadets at DET550! Family members will learn more about the training that is conducted at the detachment, and will be able to speak to Cadre and Cadets about their experiences. Events will include group leadership projects, drill demonstrations, and the Oath of Enlistment for contracting Cadets.
Cheer for the Engineers as they challenge William Smith College.
The Rensselaer Union's 34th annual International Festival will feature multicultural food and performances by clubs and organizations that celebrate the many cultures present at RPI.
Cheer for the Engineers! Tickets can be purchased on the registration site.
Join Rensselaer's theater group as they perform the cabaret FEAR.
Admission is $3 cash or venmo to be paid at the door.
Join the Ballroom team for an evening of dancing and fun.
Bring your family to the Clubhouse Pub for a fun night of trivia. Space is limited so make sure to register early.
Watch RPI's improv troupe perform a fall variety show.
An evening of performance conducted by The Rusty Pipes, a co-ed acapella group at RPI. A cafe-style show will be performed with a brief intermission.
Admission is $3 cash or venmo to be paid at the door.
Saturday, October 19th
You'll need to stop at the Family Weekend Welcome Center to pick up your packet and spirit wear. We will have refreshments available that will help you feel Autumn is in the air!
Join Rensselaer's 19th President, Martin A. Schmidt '81, Ph.D for a presentation on Rensselaer's progress and accomplishments as he welcomes you to campus for Family Weekend 2024.
Do you have another student in the college search or just want a more in depth look from a student ambassadors point of view? Pre-registration is required.
Visit the largest farmer's market in the region and one of Troy's pride points- our farmer's market!
An annual event to celebrate the outstanding academic accomplishments of our students and faculty, including the Rensselaer Medalists, the Founders Award of Excellence, 4.0 achievers, and Graduate Fellow Recipients.
The Forge is RPI’s student-run makerspace, Take a walk through the space that is home to dozens of 3d printers and other machines. Talk with our trained staff and ask any questions you might have - about manufacturing, RPI, or anything else related to student life on campus!
Rensselaer Music Association Fall Concert.
Do you have another student in the college search or just want a more in depth look from a student ambassadors point of view? Pre-registration is required.
Join Economics faculty for this fun filled trivia experience.
Join staff from The Arch for a presentation on program expectations and guidelines. As part of The Arch, you will spend the summer after your sophomore year on campus separate from the rest of the student body. This will provide added opportunities to further develop relationships with one another and with staff and faculty members. Staff will be available to answer questions about what to expect and how to best leverage The Arch to meet your academic and career goals.
Hear from current student leaders on the best ways to navigate your Rensselaer journey. This is an installment suitable for all cohorts but a follow up of our orientation panel from August.
John Kolb, '79 Vice President for Information Services and Technology and Chief Information Officer at Rensselaer delves into the rich tapestry of RPI's history and cherished traditions.
Support the Engineers as they play RIT.
Join the fan zone for some fun and leave with a temporary tattoo or two.
Come learn how Engineers Without Borders impacts local and global communities. This program features representatives from projects in Troy NY, Panama, and Uganda speaking on their experiences in EWB, as well as presenters from African Students Association, Alianza Latina, and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers celebrating the cultures of Panama and Uganda.
Cheer for the Engineers as they play Niagara University. Bring your skates to join the team after the game for open skate. If you don't have your own skates rentals are available first-come, first-serve for a fee. Hockey tickets can be purchased on registration site.
Rensselaer Family Weekend Concert Featuring the Rensselaer Orchestra, Concert Choir, and Wind Symphony.
Family Weekend Wine and Cheese Reception - All are welcome to join us at the C+CC for wine and cheese after the 5 p.m. mass.
Be prepared to enter a world where your worst fears will come to life! Join Circle K and take a trip through our Haunted House, if you dare... Stop by on Saturday, October 19th from 6-9 P.M. and sign up on the registration website — if you think you can handle it. All proceeds go to Unity House of Troy, a human service agency dedicated to providing a wide range of services to those in need.
Admission is $3 cash or venmo at the door.
Bring your family to the Clubhouse Pub for a fun night of trivia. Space is limited so make sure to register early.
Join the Astrophysical Society to see the stars!
Join Rensselaer's five a cappella groups for a night of great music and fun!
Admission is $3 cash or venmo at the door.
Sunday, October 20th
Join us for a celebration of student leadership hosted by our student government leaders. Tickets can be reserved in the registration form.
Join us for Sunday mass followed by coffee hour & Pastries
Join us for refreshments after mass.