Required Credentials for First-Year Applicants

Complete the Rutgers Application or Common App carefully as it can’t be changed after it has been submitted.  

You should submit only one application.

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Extracurricular Activities

• Information about activities, employment, community service, and other personal experiences, though not required, can enhance your application.
• To be considered, information about extracurricular activities must be included in the space provided on the application.
• A list of extracurricular activities may not be submitted separately.

Essay

Whether applying with the Common App or Rutgers Application, Rutgers requires that first-year applicants provide a short, original essay. The essay must be included in the space provided on the application and submitted on the application form. The essay may not be submitted separately. Be sure to clear any formatting before pasting your essay into the online application. If you do not clear formatting, the punctuation in your essay may change. 

Please address one of the following topics or submit an essay on a topic of your choice.

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The Rutgers Application essay is limited to 3,800 characters, including spaces.  

The Common App essay is limited to no more than 650 words. The application will not accept a response with less than 250 words. Please note there are no supplemental essays required for the Common App. A short statement is required if you decide to be considered for honors. 

Students with a GED diploma/certificate are required to submit their official results. A transcript of any and all high school work attempted is required in addition to the GED results.

The Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program is open to eligible New Jersey residents. Interested students should review the eligibility requirements and select the EOF option on the Rutgers Application or Common App. Students selecting the EOF option and submitting an undergraduate admissions application will then continue to the EOF application.

An English proficiency test score is required for applicants whose secondary schooling has been outside the U.S. in a country where English is not the principal language, regardless of U.S. residency or citizenship.

A portfolio, audition, or interview demonstrating artistic talent is required of all Mason Gross School of the Arts applicants. Mason Gross applicants will be emailed a supplemental application five business days after submitting the application for admission. To learn more about the talent assessment requirements and deadlines, visit the school’s website for audition and portfolio information.

Letters of recommendation are not used for admissions consideration. The Rutgers application provides multiple opportunities for applicants to describe their accomplishments, activities, community service, and personal experiences. Students should be certain to complete all sections of the Rutgers application to describe themselves.

Get more information on How to Apply, including application and decision dates, admissions profile, and how we make decisions.

Part 2 of the application process for first-year students who are currently enrolled in high school requires submission of the SRAR.

The Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) allows students to self-report their courses, grades, grade-point averages, and other academic information. When applicants submit an SRAR, they do not need to provide interim transcripts prior to graduation. Preview the SRAR.

• The SRAR is required for all current high school seniors. High school graduates and transfer students do not complete the SRAR.
• Students should obtain a copy of their high school transcript from their school counselor and use the transcript as a reference when completing the SRAR.
• The SRAR must include all courses and final grades earned from grades 9 through 11, as well as grade 12 courses in progress.
• Enter scheduled or in-process 12th grade courses as ‘In Progress.’
• If you have already completed a 12th grade course and received a final grade, please indicate the grade you received.
• Discrepancies between a student's SRAR and official transcript can result in a student's admission to Rutgers being rescinded.
• International students may use the SRAR. Upon enrollment, please mail us official academic records directly from an educational authority such as the SSC, HSSC, WAEC, GSEC (Tawjihiyah), GXE, GCE, or Bagrut, in addition to other results and certificates.

After you submit your Rutgers Application or Common App, you’ll need to link your SRAR to your application. To do this, log in to your Application Portal using your Community ID. If you applied using the Common App, you will receive an email approximately 24-48 hours after submitting your application, with instructions for creating your Rutgers CommunityID. Once logged in to the Application Portal, click on either SRAR buttons located on the welcome page or your status screen under “Required for Application Review.” 

1. If you already have a SRAR account created for use with another participating college/university, log in with your SRAR email address and password to complete the linking process for Rutgers. 

2. If you do not have a SRAR account, select "Create SRAR Account" and follow the on-screen instructions. We recommend you use the same email address you used to apply to Rutgers. 

Your Application Portal will reflect receipt of the SRAR within 24-72 hours of linking and submitting your SRAR.  

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, maintains test-optional and test-blind policies through 2025. Students who are currently enrolled in high school or graduated from high school less than two years ago and do not have 12 or more subsequent college credits completed with grades by the application due date and who wish to submit a standardized test score with their application may still do so.

Please visit the sections below for additional information on the submission of SAT and ACT standardized test scores for spring or fall admission to Rutgers–New Brunswick, Camden, or Newark. 

All SAT and ACT scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to Rutgers. Unofficial test scores cannot be accepted. The SAT essay and ACT writing component are not required.

When requesting scores, use our SAT code 2765 or our ACT code 2592. We recommend including Rutgers as a receiving institution when registering for the SAT and/or ACT.

• Request SAT scores
• Request ACT scores