Life at Rensselaer
New Students
- Pre-Arrival Booklet
- SEVIS
-
International Students Handbook
- Adjusting to American culture
- Advisors
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Good housekeeping
- Health care
- Housing, utilities, and furnishings
- Immigration information
- International student clubs and organizations
- Issues related to children
- Legal issues
- Mail and the U.S. Postal Service
- Money and banking
- Opportunities for spouses in the Troy area
- Security / public safety
- Services in the Troy area
- Shopping tips
- Social services
- Transportation
- U.S. telephone system
- Working on- and off-campus
- Visa application information
- Office of Graduate Education (OGE)
- Office of the First-Year Experience (FYE)
Transportation
A free Rensselaer shuttle bus operates year round (limited service during the summer) and can take you around the campus. the public bus system, called CDTA, serves the entire Albany/Troy area, you are able to ride some CDTA bus routes for free with your Rensselaer student I.D. card although it can be inconvenient for rearching outlying areas.
If you do decide to purchase a car, it will cost a minimum of $13,000 new or $3,000 used. You will also need approximately $100 for licensing and $500-$1,100 annually for adequate auto insurance. Additional funds are required for gas, maintenance,and repairs.
To park on campus, you must purchase a parking permit from Rensselaer's Parking Office, which is located in the Visitor Information Center (VIC). You are responsible for knowing and observing both U.S. and campus traffic rules and regulations.
Weather
The weather in Troy varies greatly from season to season. Temperature ranges from 60 degrees to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees to 29 degrees Celsius) in the summer to 0 degrees to 38 degrees F (-17 degrees to 3 degrees C) in the winter. In very cold winters, the temperature may even dip below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Troy generally receives a large amount of snow in the winter, which provides excellent skiing close to campus. During the rest of the year, rain showers can occur unexpectedly, and the humidity level can be uncomfortably high, especially in the summer. Weather conditions are more moderate during the spring and fall.
Clothing
Students wear very casual clothing at Rensselaer. Jeans and sportshirts are most common for men; jackets and ties are rarely worn except on special occasions. Women often prefer slacks for everyday school wear, and dresses for more formal wear. Warm coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, and snowboots are necessary items for the cold winters. Cotton clothing is appropriate for the summer. Shorts are popular wear for both men and women in the summer.
There are many shopping areas close to campus where you can purchase new clothing. We do not advise students to purchase extensive wardrobes before coming; fashions may be different in your country. Most locally available clothes are 'wash and wear'. Tailors and seamstresses are very expensive and hard to find, so we urge you not to bring any fabric for clothes, unless you can sew everything yourself.
Services for spouses
A number of social opportunities exist at or around Rensselaer to aid spouses in their adjustment. Among these programs are those of Rensselaer’s Married Student Organization, and many informal social activities that take place in the family student housing area.
Unfortunately, due to recent restrictions, it is very difficult for spouses of F-1 and J-1 students to take classes or courses while in the United States. Questions should be directed to the ISSS staff.
F-2's are prohibited from obtaining any type of employment; however, J-2's can seek employment under certain circumstances. The ISSS staff can answer your questions regarding this on an individual basis.