You Belong Here: Welcome Guide for Accepted Students

NEXT STEPS FOR ADMITTED STUDENTS INSIDE

Your journey

is just getting

journey

getting started.

YOUR ACCEPTANCE TO RIDER is just the next chapter in your life’s story. You’re now part of a tight-knit community of change-makers and risk-takers. Whether you choose to double-major, get involved in clubs and activities, or jump head-first into an internship, the life experiences you gain during your time here are what will make Rider such a unique home. And it’s the challenges that you meet head-on that will take you where you’re meant to be.

AFTER NUMEROUS HOURS OF COLLEGE RESEARCH, AND COUNTLESS CONVERSATIONS WITH FAMILY AND TEACHERS,

GET READY TO EXPLORE YOUR BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL AT RIDER.

Welcome family! to the

There’s no such thing as a lone

Bronc.

YOU’RE NOW OFFICIALLY one of us, and we want to extend our warmest welcome. You’re joining an embracing community of Broncs — one that we like to call small but great. No matter what you’re interested in, you’ll find your herd here.

Begin your journey before you even arrive on campus — connect with us and fellow classmates on social media.

◼ Join the Class of 2030 Facebook group Open to freshmen and incoming transfers starting in fall 2026

» rider.edu/facebook

◼ Instagram

» @rider_university

» @rideruadmissions

◼ TikTok

» @rideruadmissions

Show off your Bronc pride! Tag your posts with #RIDERREADY

WELCOME WEEK Being a Bronc is a highly inclusive experience. From day one, upperclassmen, professors and staff will be happy to show you the ropes. During the first week of September, join your new classmates at our New Student & Family BBQ, a class photo, meals and gatherings for commuter students.

WHEN YOU FIRST GET TO COLLEGE, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we have some really fun events to welcome you. And our campus is an epicenter of more than 500 activities, deepseated traditions, and diverse clubs and organizations that make Rider a wonderful place to call home. So go ahead and jump in! Try a little — or a lot — of everything.

Get Oriented

FALL

Whether you call it fall, autumn or the official end of summer, September at Rider is just the beginning. Here, it brings more than just the changing of the colors of the leaves (which you’ll see in all its glory on campus). There’s the music of Rider’s annual Rock Fest, the togetherness of Cranberry Fest and the absolute mayhem of MAACness. Plus, it’s the perfect time to join one or more of our 150+ student organizations, 20+ intramural and club sports, and 14 fraternities and sororities.

CRANBERRY FEST — A RIDER TRADITION

Since 1979, Cranberry Fest has brought the Rider community together to celebrate all that links us as one — cranberry!

Celebrate Rider’s history with live music, free food and great games and entertainment. Why cranberry, anyway? Back in the day, our founder and namesake, Andrew J. Rider, who was also a cranberry farmer, actually introduced the cranberry to the queen of England. She even nicknamed him, “The Cranberry King of New Jersey” (true story!).

Celebrate your success with a refreshing, Rider-inspired mocktail.

Mix equal parts cranberry juice, orange juice and lemon-lime soda. Garnish with fresh or frozen cranberries. Enjoy! Get a taste of more Rider-themed recipes at rider.edu/cranberry-cookbook

Relax — or Keep Roaming

WINTER AND J-TERM

» HOLIDAY CHEER Attend annual holiday performances by our world-renowned Westminster Choir College.

» SHOW YOUR SPIRIT Support your fellow Broncs by attending Division I home games.

» GIFT YOURSELF A LIGHTER SPRING Just because winter break lasts six weeks, that doesn’t mean your studies need to take a break too. Heat up some hot cocoa and earn three credits in as many weeks.

Our three-week J-Term winter sessions offer an intensive course format with more interaction with your professors. Plus, you can even gain workplace experience by completing The Shadow Experience (IND 350).

You’ll thank yourself in the spring term, as you’ll have a lighter course load AND still be on pace to graduate on time.

Time to Blossom

SPRING

As the snow melts, the newness of spring brings a glow to our quaint campus. Our many annual traditions include the Student Entertainment Council Concert and 107.7 The Bronc's Eggscellent Egg Hunt. Walk on down to the campus mall for prizes, fun games, delicious food and more!

Discover more campus traditions, activities and student orgs at:

RIDER.EDU/STUDENT-LIFE

As soon as it’s warm enough, grab your books and head

OUR HOME IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY

is central to so much more. The Rider campus is a train ride from Philadelphia and New York City, minutes from historic Princeton and just an hour from the beach.

Small-Town Charm

In the mood for a relaxed pace?

Our county has over 20,000 acres of farms, forests and parklands to explore. Wander through the towns of Princeton, Lambertville and nearby New Hope, P.A., to discover unique cafes, shops, and restaurants. Also, Mercer County is at the epicenter of the American Revolution with an array of historical sites to visit.

City Lights

Lawrenceville is smack in the middle of two of the most historic and happening cities in the country — Philadelphia and New York City. Explore world-renowned museums and city attractions, catch a show on Broadway, enjoy diverse restaurants and stroll the streets.

Sports Galore

Root for one of 17 professional sports franchises that make their home in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

Something for Every Season

SPRING

Paddle down the Delaware and Raritan Canal. Or, bike alongside!

SUMMER

Enjoy ocean breezes from the iconic boardwalks of the Jersey Shore.

FALL

There’s something for everyone. Check out our favorite spots at:

RIDER.EDU/THINGS-TO-DO

Pick apples and savor cider donuts at local orchards.

WINTER

Take to the slopes in Vernon, N.J.

Times Square, New York City

Bushkill Falls, Pocono Mountains

here. begins Your future

WE’RE A VIBRANT, thoughtful bunch, brought here by a shared spirit of discovery. It’s that mindset that pushes us — not just to the finish line of graduation day — but to thrive both personally and professionally. So chase that dream of yours, no matter how wild it might be. Because Broncs are always first out of the gate.

Leverage Your Skill Set

We learn by tackling projects, taking on leadership roles, meeting new people, traveling to unknown places — the possibilities are limitless.

AT RIGHT, FROM TOP:

Accounting major Leila Johnson learned the ins and outs of running a business managing the on-campus Saxbys cafe as its student CEO. Marissa Harding ’25 and Caheil Powell ’25 expanded their horizons by studying at the University of Oxford for a full academic year. Ethan Elkin-Handelman ’25 was more than prepared for his career as an elementary school teacher with teaching experiences beginning his sophomore year.

“ College was really my personal playground where I was able to explore my interests, build lifelong friendships, network with faculty, professionals, and peers, see new countries, and gain lots of valuable work experience that set me up perfectly for success upon graduating. ”

Maddie Caccavale ’23, national events coordinator, iHeartMedia

meets practice. where passion Learn

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IS AT THE HEART OF A RIDER EDUCATION. You’re not just preparing for a job. It's about becoming the person you’re meant to be. Through internships, research, student teaching, performances, and capstone projects tied to your major, you’ll gain real-world experience that builds your skills, confidence, and direction. You’ll also be encouraged to study abroad, lead, serve, and take on challenges that shape who you are beyond the classroom.

Start shaping your future now:

Career Preparation

These experiences help you build your future with real-world skills, professional connections, and a resume that opens doors.

1,200+

internships, co-ops and field placements were completed by Rider students in 2024–25

Internships, Co-ops & Fieldwork

Life Preparation

These experiences shape your values, your perspective, and your voice. They prepare you to live with purpose and contribute in ways that matter.

Study Abroad & Cultural Exploration

Guided Research & Scholarship

Civic & Community Engagement

Arts, Media & Creativity

Leadership & Mentoring

AS A BRONC, YOU’RE ONE OF US.

And to that end, we’ll make sure your time here sets you up for a successful career after graduation. Our Office of Career Development and Success helps you identify your professional interests and career aspirations to match.

» PERSONAL ADVISING Career Development and Success will work with you throughout your studies at Rider. Through workshops and individual appointments with career specialists, you’ll build an academic plan, craft a resume, participate in mock interviews and much more.

» INTERNSHIPS On-campus and off-campus internships are critical opportunities for learning the skills needed in the real world.

» BUILDING CONNECTIONS Networking plays a major role in your future. Here, you’ll participate in activities, events and organizations while gaining valuable face time with seasoned professionals in their fields.

9 in 10

Broncs are employed, in graduate school, volunteering or in the military within one year of graduation

“ Internships played a key role in my time at Rider as they provided me with a broader perspective of what I wanted to pursue after obtaining my degree. ”

Karla Lopez-Rosa ’23

Constituent service representative and field representative for Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman

Where will your journey lead?

CLINTON ASANTE-ADDO ’24

New York Mets, corporate partnerships associate

◼ B.S.B.A. Marketing

» Corporate partnerships intern with the New York Giants through Rider’s partnership with the NFL team.

» Interned with Capital Health’s social media marketing team.

KAYLEE ETTINGER ’22

FOX Sports, graphics editor

◼ B.A. Film and Television

» Won a Sports Emmy Award just one year after graduating.

» Participated in the Semester in Los Angeles program.

» Held numerous internships as a student, where she honed her skills in video production, graphic design and social media content creation.

ANGILEE BLAKE ’25

Bristol Myers Squibb, IT finance analyst

◼ B.S.B.A Finance

» Co-op with Johnson & Johnson and internships with Wiss CFO Advisory and Deloitte Audit & Assurance.

Check out our Career Development and Success resources

» Studied abroad in Ireland.

Next steps

BEFORE you enroll

† Find all you need to know now that you’ve been admitted on the admitted students page

» rider.edu/admitted

† Set up your myRider Portal

» Instructions will be sent to your email and are also available at rider.edu/admitted

» Access the Portal at myRider.rider.edu

† Plan your finances

» rider.edu/finaid

» Set up a meeting with your personal financial aid advisor to build a full financial game plan: onestop@rider.edu

† Meet your classmates on the Rider Class of 2030 Facebook Group

» rider.edu/facebook and Transfer Student GroupMe (Transfer students only)

» groupme.com/join_group/110173127/eVdOrJnZ

» Transfer students only:

† Check the status of your transfer credits

» Go to DegreeWorks, found on myRider.rider.edu

» Schedule an appointment with our transfer credit coordinator, Terri Marriott, if you have any questions: marriott@rider.edu

Go ahead, celebrate!

Download our party pack at rider.edu/partypack

AFTER you enroll

† Begin to use your Rider Email

» Instructions will be sent a few days after you deposit, this will be the formal method of communication with all new students

† Complete your housing application

» myRider.rider.edu

† Sign your Financial Aid Agreement

» myRider.rider.edu

† Attend orientation and complete placement testing

» rider.edu/orientation

† Submit your final official school transcript by August 1, 2026

» admtranscripts@rider.edu

† Submit Health Records

» Submit through the Healthy Broncs Portal at rider.medicatconnect.com

» Freshman students only:

† Submit your test scores to the Office of Admission if you applied test optional, for use in course placement

» Questions? Contact admissions@rider.edu

† Have the college courses evaluated that you might have taken in high school

» Send the official transcript to admtranscripts@rider.edu

» Questions? Contact admissions@rider.edu

» Transfer students only:

† Make an appointment with Jaime Hall in the registrar’s office to register for classes

» jhall@rider.edu

YOUR GOALS ARE WITHIN REACH. The proof is in our alumni who use what they’ve learned to make their unique marks on the world. The proof is in our students, some of whom are first-generation and some who didn’t think college was an option. At Rider, you’ll gain newfound confidence and a determination to create a bright future for yourself.

SO COME FIND YOUR FOOTING WITH US.

EXPLORE WHAT’S OUT THERE AND WHAT’S INSIDE YOUR OWN WILD, UNSTOPPABLE SELF.