As one of the world’s leading research universities, Rochester’s mission is to help our students and scholars learn, discover, heal, create, and make the world ever better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability.

As a charter member of the Character Collaborative, we evaluate applicants within the unique context of their environment and their opportunities inside and outside of school. Highly trained admission professionals assess their academic achievement, extracurricular engagement, and ethical character, in order to admit a diverse group of students who will work to make each other, the University, and the world ever better in alignment with Rochester’s mission and values.

Our holistic review process for undergraduate applicants includes, but intentionally goes beyond, numerical representations of academic performance, though we certainly expect strong performance in challenging academic coursework. We hope to understand much more about each applicant than simply their grades and standardized test scores. The students for whom Rochester is the best fit are driven by their intellectual curiosity and seek out opportunities for growth.

Our admission criteria connect directly to our students’ undergraduate experiences and outcomes through the College Competencies, Rochester’s framework for students to tell their story and serve as leaders in our shared future. They were created to ensure Rochester students are prepared with the skills employers and society seek in 21st Century college graduates.

We value the individuality of our students and the ways they have already, or intend to customize their educational experiences to explore broadly AND dig deeply into specific academic areas. As students prepare to apply or interview for admission, we encourage them to consider the following:

• What are you interested in?
• What makes you interesting?
• What are your values?
• How have you improved yourself and your community?
• How will you make the world better?

The Office of Admissions collects both legal and preferred name. Please note that the default name for all communication from the Office of Admissions is preferred name, which includes email, print letters, communication to parents/caregivers, and the MyROC student admissions portal. Should students be admitted and choose to enroll at the University of Rochester, the preferred name will be used on class rosters and many internal resources, while all legal documents (including transcripts and financial aid documents) will use legal name only.

This must be completed as part of the application process. 

The University of Rochester benefactor, entrepreneur, photography pioneer and philanthropist George Eastman said, “The progress of the world depends almost entirely upon education.” In what ways do you envision using the curricular flexibility and co-curricular opportunities at the University of Rochester to promote progress and change within the communities you inhabit? (250 word limit)

While artificial intelligence tools may be helpful in generating essay topic ideas, and in editing or refining students’ writing, the University of Rochester discourages the use of AI to compose application essays or short answer responses. The effect often stifles an applicant’s authentic voice – a key element of what we hope to hear within their personal statement.