"A diverse talent pool is essential to addressing industry goals of solving 21st century problems. For over 40 years, the PREFACE program at Rensselaer has afforded hundreds of aspiring high school students who are underrepresented in the various fields of engineering, a taste of college with this two-week, residential, pre-college program. PREFACE exposes students to the many fields of engineering and applied sciences through faculty-taught classes in engineering design and problem solving. PREFACE truly makes a difference in the students’ futures; participants gain the confidence as leaders to successfully pursue engineering degrees in college." - Cynthia Smith ’96, Director of Pipeline Initiatives and Partnerships

The Mission

Rensselaer has a proven record of success with PREFACE.  According to Robert Cummings ’69, founder of the PREFACE Summer Program Endowment Fund, “The PREFACE program is a very important first step in grooming future graduates of RPI in the sciences and engineering. The students who participate in the program get an invaluable introduction to the opportunities and challenges that an RPI education will present and the program affords numerous insights into what it will take to be successful at RPI. My personal belief is that by contributing to the support of the PREFACE program, I am making a small contribution to RPI’s continuing commitment to creating a diverse and well qualified future corps of engineers and scientists.”

What You're Supporting

RPI PREFACE program prepares diverse students who strengthen our culturally rich community. Fifty percent of students who attend the PREFACE Program apply to Rensselaer in their senior year to study engineering. More than 40 percent of applicants are accepted to attend Rensselaer.

$3,500 supports the cost of student attendance in the PREFACE Program. Your donation will provide financial aid assistance for students to attend the program.

Who We Are

PREFACE is a two-week residential summer experience at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for talented high school sophomores or juniors who will enter the 11th or 12th grade in the Fall of 2019, from groups that have been historically and traditionally underrepresented or underserved in science, engineering, and technological fields, and are interested in pursuing careers in engineering and technological profession. For more information, head to our website!