Enrollment: 13861
Most Popular Majors: Business/Commerce, General,Information Technology,Photography,
Regular Application Deadline: 02/01
Student Faculty Ratio: 14:1

Undergraduate Receiving Need-Based Financial Aid: 150
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $13,700.00

Best Career Services
Least Beautiful Campus

School Says - General Information
RIT is one of the world's leading career-oriented, technological universities. At RIT, some of the world's most talented, ambitious, and creative students find a remarkable array of academic programs; diverse, talented and accessible faculty; an unusual emphasis on experiential learning; and a vibrant, connected community that is home to students from more than 95 countries. RIT's eight colleges offer more than 90 undergraduate programs in areas such as engineering, computing, information technology, engineering technology, business, hospitality, art, design, science, psychology, public policy, game design and development and biomedical sciences. Regardless of background or academic interest, students find that RIT offers a stimulating environment for intellectual and personal growth.

School Says - Student Body
Clubs and Organizations exist to bring students of similar interest together and provide them with opportunities to become effective leaders. These groups enhance the quality of student life by fostering social interaction, leadership development, school spirit and an affinity to RIT. Clubs and Organizations promote activities, diversity, service and learning outside of the classroom. Currently there are approximately 160 active clubs, 10 Major Student Organizations, and 29 Greek Organizations on campus.

School Says - Academics
Regardless of background or academic interest, students find that RIT offers a stimulating environment for intellectual and personal growth. RIT's eight colleges offer more than 90 undergraduate programs in areas such as engineering, computing, information technology, engineering technology, business, hospitality, art, design, science, psychology, public policy, game design and development and biomedical sciences. Students looking to distinguish themselves from the crowd may want to consider one of the more than 80 minors available at RIT. Students can also complete a master's degree in five years through one of the university's accelerated BS/MS or BS/MBA programs. Other academic enrichments include study abroad, undergraduate research, internships, cooperative education, and double majors.

School Says - Admissions
RIT seeks a diverse and multicultural student body. Entering students come from a variety of geographic, social, cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. Admission to RIT is competitive, but the admission process is a personal one. The university is interested in learning about students' interests, abilities, and goals in order to provide the best information and guidance as they select the college that is right for them. Students applying for freshman admission for the fall quarter (September) may apply through an Early Decision Plan or Regular Decision Plan. The Early Decision Plan is designed for students who consider RIT their first-choice college and wish to make an early commitment regarding admission. Early Decision requires that candidates file their applications and supporting documents by December 1 in order to receive admission notification by January 15. Freshmen who choose not to apply for Early Decision are considered under our Regular Decision Plan. Regular Decision applicants who have provided all required application materials by February 1 will receive admission notification by March 15. Applications received after February 1 will be reviewed on a space-available basis, with notification letters mailed four to six weeks after the application is complete. Students interested in being considered for merit-based (academic and extracurricular) scholarships or the RIT Honors program must apply by February 1. All applications for transfer admission are reviewed as they are received, and notification letters are mailed four to six weeks after the application is complete. Factors considered in our admission decisions include, but are not limited to, past high school and/or college performance (particularly in required academic subjects), admission test scores, competitiveness of high school or previous college, and academic program selected. Recommendations from those familiar with your academic performance and interviews with admissions counselors are often influential. Students applying to RIT choose a specific academic program as part of the admission process. This is important because there are a variety of academic programs, and admission requirements may differ from one program to another. For example, a student applying for admission to our computer science program would present a strong academic record with particular strength in mathematics, while a student applying for a fine art or design major would need to show artistic talent through a required portfolio.

School Says - Campus Life
RIT's 1,300-acre campus is located in the suburbs, about six miles from downtown Rochester, NY. More than 6,800 diverse, creative, ambitious students live on campus in residence halls or apartments, and the self-contained, suburban location gives the campus a safe, residential atmosphere.

Students Say - Academics
Rochester Institute of Technology is a "serious, no-nonsense school" "with amazing facilities" and a "unique" cooperative education program that is "very good" at "preparing you to work in the real world." The "great technical education" is a main draw for students. Other "high-quality programs" include animation, design, and the "renowned" College of Business. The National Technical Institute for the Deaf "makes for a diverse population." "Hard work" and a "fast pace" define academic life. Courses "go by fast" on RIT's "hard-core" 10-week quarter system. "Classes require a lot of outside work," says a junior. One bonus of attending RIT is that "the best employers in the country hold on-campus interviews frequently." Upon graduation, "job placement is really high" thanks to RIT's co-op program that "is required for many majors and encouraged for all." Co-op students graduate with "hands-on" experience at firms across the country. The "very passionate" professors here "come to teach, not to do research." "Academic support" is ubiquitous. "Even the worst professors I've had in lecture have been helpful after class," says an engineering major. "If you don't do well, it's your own fault." The "visible" administration is "fairly helpful." Some students wish administrators would "listen to their students a little bit more," but "the dean of your college is just an e-mail and appointment away."

Students Say - Campus Life
Everything is made of brick here, and the "freezing" winters can be "very hard to walk through every day." "They should put us in a dome," helpfully suggests a first-year student. The weather notwithstanding, "RIT is a place where you come to work hard and make a lot of money when you graduate," explains a senior. The "competitive academic environment" "makes a lot of the students stress out," and students really "have to study." "On weekends, people tend to relax." "If you're looking for a party school," look elsewhere. "Big parties" are sometimes held "off-campus" but "not like the ones that happen at other schools." "Very intense alcohol-free policies" also stifle the party scene, and Greek organizations "are kept on an annoyingly tight leash." "School spirit" is not the highest, but "there are many different types of activities on campus." "Almost anyone who is looking for something to do can find a place to fit in." Engineering clubs "give students hands-on experience and knowledge that they can apply to both their schoolwork and the career world." The campus "is a great venue for influential speakers" and "The College Activities Board does a great job of getting big acts to come perform." There is also "an amazing gym," and "downtown Rochester is close and has a lot" to offer, including "amazing Indian and sushi restaurants."

Students Say - Student Body
RIT students are "very hardworking" and "career-motivated." "Grades are taken very seriously." Students say "super-smart" engineering majors and "crazy science students" are typical, as are "ragtag art students, preppy business students, jocks, [and] hippies." Many students "like to fool around with computers." Some students assert that "RIT is a nerd haven." Others complain that RIT has a "reputation of being a dork school when it really isn't." "There is a stereotype that students here are unsocial and like to sit in their room playing video games," complains a senior. Without question, there are "kids who don't come out of their rooms," but those that do leave their confines "are awesome." "The variety of programs offered draws a very diverse group of students that can in no way fit under one general description," explains a junior. "The interaction of these extremely different groups of students is part of what makes life on campus so interesting." That said, RIT is "predominantly male," and many would like to see the male/female ratio improved.

Clarkson University
Cornell University

More at PrincetonReview.com