A select group of students may be invited to participate in residential and academic Learning Communities. Students will live with, take classes with, and study with a core group of fellow Learning Community students; their professors work together to coordinate core coursework, as well as serve as their advisors for their first two semesters, helping to solve problems, select courses, and choose a major. Movies, trips, dinners, lunches, and informal parties will be planned to help students get acquainted. The transition to campus life is made easier because students are able to make friends with whom to socialize, discuss assignments, work on papers, and study for exams.

Freshman Year Experience is housed in Conover Hall - A residence hall designated for freshman only. The Freshman Year Experience program is designed to provide a bridge between the formal academic program of Rider University and the out-of-classroom learning and development activities of residents. The Faculty-in-Residence help create a climate conducive to academic achievement, scholarship, and intellectual stimulation. Living among the students, they are in a unique position to be a role model and to provide counseling and leadership to the Conover community. Residence Life staff in conjunction with the Faculty-in-Residence plan social and academic programs specifically designated to assist new students in their transition to university life.

University Studies Learning Community is housed in Kroner Hall - A learning community established to provide a unique living/learning experience for entering undecided students to provide additional support to help you succeed at Rider. Advantages include enrolling in two programatically-linked core courses (along with Freshman Seminar), assignment of a faculty advisor teaching these courses and living together in the same residence hall to aid in developing a close teaching and learning relationship with the faculty members and student life staff life staff. In addition to the courses, the Faculty and Residence Life staff coordinated extracurricular activities that encourage the exploration of academic interests and options.

Science Learning Community is housed in Switlik Hall – Provides social activities, speaker programs, coordinated tutoring and supplemental instruction and study groups. The Science Learning Community works to promote interaction between science faculty and students in order to support science majors.

Wellness Floors are housed in Olson Hall – Provides an intentional community for students who desire a smoke-free and substance-free environment. Residence hall staff work with students to create programs and community development opportunities focusing on a well-ness lifestyle.

Wright Hall is an all-female residence hall - That provides an option for female students interested in residing in a single gender living environment.