Requirements & Deadlines

Transfer students applying to Rider should follow the application steps and deadlines below. For information on scholarships visit the scholarships for transfer students section.​

Who is considered a transfer student?

A transfer student is anyone who has attempted and/or completed at least 12 college level credits following their high school graduation and prior to their enrollment at Rider. This includes coursework that may be currently in progress.

• If you have completed or are in the process of completing at least 12 credits by the time you enroll at Rider, please follow the steps to apply as a transfer student below.
• If you have completed or are in the process of completing fewer than 12 credits by the time that you enroll at Rider, please follow the steps to apply as a freshman.

Note: Adult learners interested in transferring into the College of Continuing Studies should visit the College of Continuing Studies website for application information specific to them.

How to Apply

1. Complete the application
2. No Application Fee for Transfer Students!
3. Submit Your Transcript(s)
   Submit official transcripts from each college/university attended.
   Note: If you have fewer than 30 college credits, you must also submit official high school transcripts.
4. Letter of Recommendation
   Letters of recommendation are not required for any of the programs at Rider University in Lawrenceville, but are welcomed and will be considered if submitted. Applicants to the Westminster Choir College in Princeton must submit at least one recommendation from a teacher, instructor or coach in a music-related field.
5. Submit the Essay
   Your essay should be a minimum of 250 words and should address your goal in transferring to Rider at this point in your academic career. Westminster Choir College applicants should submit a 150-word essay on “My Most Memorable Music Experience” or “Why I want to be a music educator” for Music Education applicants.
6. Auditions
   Westminster College of the Arts and Westminster Choir College require an audition/interview as part of the application process. Program specific information and dates of campus auditions, scholarship competitions and regional auditions can be found in the auditions section.
7. WCC Transfer Release
   Students currently enrolled in a NASM (National Association of Schools of Music) accredited program must also submit the Westminster Choir College Transfer Release Form (pdf).

Application Deadlines

*To be considered for the Fall 2020 Transfer Trustee Scholarship, you must apply by February 1st, 2020.

*To be considered for the Fall 2021 Transfer Trustee Scholarship, you must apply by February 1st, 2021.

Scholarship eligibility is determined at the same time we review your complete application. Rider practices rolling admissions; once your application is complete, you will be notified of your decision.

Deposit deadline: Students admitted after the deadlines posted above should deposit within two weeks of the date of their letter of admission.

Application Review

Rider University welcomes students with a variety of academic backgrounds. When reviewing an application for admission, the Admission Office takes a holistic approach by assessing your academic performance, your admission essay, recommendation letters, and out-of-classroom experiences. Once the committee has reviewed the entirety of the student's academic experience, an admission decision will be made.

Admissions Mailing Address
Rider University
Office of Undergraduate Admission
2083 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ, USA 08648-3099

NOTE: Students interested in transferring into a Continuing Studies program should visit the Continuing Studies Admission web site for application information specific to adult learners.

Questions?