Reviews

Part of being a Software Engineering major means spending a year with Computer Science students learning the basics of computer programming. When I first came to RIT, I knew nothing about writing code but the classes challenged and taught me well and now I feel that I am fully prepared to begin my major. RIT does a good job of preparing you for the classes that matter. You'll be able to get your math, liberal arts and sciences out of the way early so that you can get to the good stuff and excel in your major!

A good portion of your tuition goes toward an activities fund which means there is never a dull weekend at RIT. Whether it is barbecuing, concerts, movies on the Greek Lawn or other get-togethers, there is always something going on. You just need the initiative to get out of the dorm! If RIT's activities aren't for you there are also hundreds of clubs you can join that will fit your interests. You can even start your own club!

RIT is very expensive because of the immense amount of things going on. You will feel a bit robbed because most of your money will go towards things you will never use. Talk to your financial aid adviser to learn how you can ease the burden of such costs.

One of the best ways to meet friends and get a jump on your classes is to join a learning community. You will be automatically registered for your classes and you will be with other students for your major.

If you end up with a roommate you just can't live with, don't panic! Just talk to housing and you'll be able to move by the end of the week. (It was one of the best decisions of my life!)

Everybody likes to complain about the food at Gracie's but I think it's delicious! Always eat at Mongo's!

Can't find the energy to wake up for lunch? No problem! Ask your professor if you can eat in his/her class. I saved tons of time by enjoying my food while learning.

If you're having a tough time with your math homework, there is free tutoring always available. A writing lab will also help review your papers and essays as well.

Didn't get the professor you wanted? Just email them! Most professors are willing to overfill their classrooms so that you don't have to suffer through a quarter with a poor teacher.

If you need anything else, just ask your RA, your academic adviser or even President Destler. All of these resources are bound to know how to answer your inquiries.

Finally, stay organized! RIT's quarter system moves fast and if you fall behind, you'll get buried with work in no time. Make friends and work together to get through your classes with A's! (But don't overwork yourself. There is plenty of time for relaxing and spending time doing whatever you want.)

I have seen every kind of student at RIT but as the quarters continue, you'll start to see the slackers disappear. Don't waste your time with RIT if you're here to party every night and skip classes. You'll get kicked out in no time.

RIT is great for just about any major you can dream up. From sciences to arts and from engineering to computer development - RIT has it all.

My current major is Microelectronic Engineering. RIT is the only school in the nation that offers this major. This school is fantastic and has actually challenged me. I was used to getting an A in everything but in this school that's not possible for me. The teachers in general are great and because this is a hands on and co-op school it makes the learning process a lot easier.

The school itself is fantastic; however, the location is a bit blah. It's in the middle of Rochester, NY where it is basically gray all the time. Other than that there is plenty of stuff to do and I find myself busy 110% of the time.

For me it's worth it. I'm paying roughly $40,000 a year, but I am given access to a lab that is priced at $64 million, so I can't complain. Plus it is the only school for my major that allows you to use their cleanroom as an undergraduate student.

Make sure you a prepared to work as this school is not for the faint of heart. If you're in an engineering program it's going to be tough, but completely worth it and you should get a job coming right out of college.

Microelectronic Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Photography
Other (too many to list and I can't possibly know all of them, but this school has received many awards, so check it out!)
Oh this school is also extremely diverse, so if you're looking for an experience go here :)

I stated school at RIT in September, 2008. So far it has been one of the most unexpected learning experiences of my life and I couldn’t be more grateful for the lessons that I am learning. I did very well in high school academically but what make the experience here at RIT are the lessons you learn both inside and out of the classrooms. For example, one of the greatest experiences I think I’ve had so far is to have the opportunity to learn from a whole new community, the Deaf community! In case you didn’t know RIT is a very well known school for its NTID program and exceptionally large portion of deaf students included in its student body population. This is something I didn’t really look into or know before I got here, but it has been a very interesting experience to live around and become friends with students who are from a whole other way of life.

Another example though for inside the classroom, I believe it has been to my benefit this last year to have been a part of a learning community. My learning community was basically my floor and the floor above me in my dorm building, and the catch with these is that for the most part they are the people you are friends with on your first day, they’re the first ones you run into when you’re moving all your stuff in and they’re also the classmates and friends that you go to all your same classes with. I don’t think without having a learning community to study with and brainstorm with outside of the classroom that I would have done as well as I did last year, and I would really highly recommend you try and talk to your academic advisor to have you placed in one.

When I started my college search the two qualifications that I always had to look into before I considered anyplace were the schools academics and their campus. The academics obviously because you want to make sure they provide your major but also the campus because you want to make sure you’re going to be comfortable, happy and safe living there. I really am enjoying my time here because the campus is beautiful, the area is amazing and I feel one hundred percent safe in my dormitory and on the campus itself. Comfort is a big thing for me and so far I haven’t found any reason to complain. I really am enjoying myself here at RIT, the dorms and the people in them are so much fun and friendly and its overall just such a rewarding experience.

Ah, right. There is a twist to its satisfying atmosphere. RIT is a private school and tends to be very expensive. You do find those students and friends who don’t seem to have a problem with the financial burden but for people like me who are about average and need to worry about the financials a lot when attending a private school I would recommend signing up for as many scholarships as possible!! The money is out there you just need to apply yourself. Talk to financial aid! They will always think in your best interest and help you as much as they can, even if it’s suggesting to you what the best websites are for finding scholarships. Also, work study is always a good way to go. Everyone on campus is very friendly and helpful with new students who are just getting a start on working so don’t be afraid to look into it. The RIT website can help a lot with that. If you find this is really the school you want to go to, work something out, there is always a way, even if it means waiting until after graduation day with those loans. After graduation though hopefully it will be less of a burden for you with RIT’s above average rate of helping students to land jobs, sometimes even before graduation!

Tips, Tip number one. Talk to your academic advisor and see what you can do to make it so you’re in a learning community. It makes the first couple weeks a lot more bearable and throughout the year it’s very comforting to know and useful to have people you can talk to about work close by. It’s a big help too with last minute work, you tend to run into a lot of that with these quarter systems because everything winds up flying by so fast.

Tip number two. Keep up with homework, it is all very important and is all on the very large tests you get at the end of each unit. Also, do well on your tests and actually study for them. If you have like three of four of them and you know how you’ve done on each then you pretty much know how you’re doing in that class.

Tip number three. Keep in touch with your academic advisor and up to date on everything academically, financially, look to the future and anticipate things. Even talk to your FYE instructor and other teachers out of the class room on more than one occasion, they know what they’re talking about and have lots of advice to share.

Tip number three. Have fun :) The year is challenging but RIT does such an awesome job of arranging activities for you! I know I had a great time at Brick City and the many hockey games I attended. Those were my favorite, find some time to get out and support the team! Barbeques and fraternity pool parties, blow-up wrestling on the quarter mile and special dinners at Gracies are some of the things I enjoyed my first quarter and it just keeps coming!

Overall, yes this is a great college and you can do well in whatever you chose to do here academically. However, students who want to succeed here also need to be dedicated workers and dedicated to doing well. You can have the best intentions and procrastinate and then go out with your friends more and more frequently but then before you know it you’re one of those students that can’t make it as easy as the other students are. The last thing you want to be your year is to become a slacker and with all of the amazing opportunity that this college provides who would want to waste it!

I am an art major and I was intimidated when I started here. I didn't have experience in all medias and I was afraid that it would leave me behind, but the teachers understand and are willing to take time out of their schedule to help me better understand the media I am using. Students are also willing to help if you ask. The teachers there are great and truly know what they are teaching. I have learned so much just in one quarter, it's amazing. When I started, I had no experience in figure drawing, but now I really understand the body and can pick out what I'm doing wrong and know how to fix it.

College is so much fun. I spend most of my time with my friends in Sol and when were not doing homework, were goofing off! If we can't find something to do on campus- exercise facility, ice rink, weight room, climbing center, dances- there's things off campus that aren't that far away, like the movie theaters, Blue Cross Arena, Dinosaur Barbeque, Strong Museum of Play, etc.

I saw two shows t the Blue Cross Arena, Cirque Du Soleil and the Transiberian Orchestra, both of which I got discounted tickets for being a student.

RIT is pretty pricey, and even though art students don't have books, we do have art supplies (NOT CHEAP). The classes are challenging, even though we get the stereotype of just an art student, and all we have to do is draw pictures. People just don't understand, while you are doing your web-assign, I am spending days on a project for one class. Even with all that work, it's graded on how well the teacher likes it, is it visually appealing? Does it keep interest? Is it too busy? Teachers are tough, but it just gives you the incentive to do better.

Don't be afraid to talk to the teachers. I actually friended one on Facebook! Your teachers don't have to be your enemies. If you are sick, can't make a class, or have personal problems that interfere with a project, just talk to them and they'll understand.

Join clubs also; it's always great to meet new people and try new things. I joined a club called No Voice Zone, and I learned a few signs, so I can have small conversations with the deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Also, don't be afraid to talk to them, even if you don't know ASL, they will be patient and teach you!

Make sure to get the 10 meal plan. I didn't understand in the beginning, but it's 5 meals at Gracie's and 5 meals anywhere else on campus. If you get the 12 or 14 meal plan, it's 5 meals anywhere else and all the rest at Gracie's. Trust me- you will get sick of Gracie's- get the 10 meal plan.

DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doing a project the day before it's due only works so many times, and trust me, all-nighters 3 times a week is no fun. Don't be like me- 12 straight hours on a project due the next day- get your work done ahead of time.

If your have any problems with your roommate, classes, or anything really, you can always talk to your RA and they can help, or at least point you in the right direction.

Make sure to bring warm clothes too!

Anyone who is willing to be innovative, creative, hard-working, and willing to put forth time and effort into all their work. If you don't really care about college, or think high school was easy so you'll do fine, no, it doesn't work that way. If that is your attitude, you won't do well.

At RIT, you learn about your major. Most of the classes are about your major, with some flexibility for other classes. By the time you graduate, you will feel confident with what you have learned.

Many people don't realize how much there is to do at RIT; there are tons and tons of clubs (if there isn't one for you, you can make your own!), sports (we're really big on hockey), intramurals, and events happening all the time.

RIT prepares you for a career, they don't just teach you stuff that you'll never use. Many of the programs have a required (or optional) Co-Op block that you complete before graduation. That opportunity alone often gives students a career straight out of college.

Be aware: RIT is on a quarter system, each one 10 weeks long (plus a week of finals): fall, winter, spring, and summer (although we're not expected to go to classes during the summer, we can). What that means is that if your major requires a co-op, there's opportunity to do that in the summer. It also means that we have a very fast paced, rigorous curriculum - we're squeezing a semester's amount of work into 10 weeks. However, classes are over with faster, it's changing before you get too bored, and because there's so much packed in, you're more or less employable by the end of your second year (depending on your major).

Come and take a tour! Yes, there's a lot (A LOT) of bricks, but check out what will be your building for classes, and the dorms.

Once you're here, get out of the dorms! Go to events, meet the people from your major - those are the people you'll be having class with. Become friends with someone with a car and get off campus (Buffalo Wild Wings - or B Dubs, Chipotle, The Marketplace Mall, Tilt Night Club, Barnes and Noble... they're all right down the street! Take advantage!)

Get a laptop - the entire campus is wireless! You can sit outside your classroom, in the tunnels below the dorms (that's where the laundry rooms, the post office, and a couple convenience stores are), in one of the quads, in class, in your dorm, probably even one of the elevators, and you will have a connection.

Cell phones are also a must. Texting mostly.

Hard-Working, Dedicated, Creative, Motivated

RIT accepts a lot of people, but not many stay.
It's not because the brilliant computer labs, gym, pool, libraries, pleasant dorms and grounds, or the other great amenities are dissatisfying...
It is because RIT is a genuinely challenging, hands-on school that may not be for everyone.

Make sure that this is the school for you!
In other words, make sure that if you go here, that you would be dedicated to staying and giving it your all.
You need to dedicate yourself to RIT; if you don't, you won't get much out of it.

For the first time in my life, classes are truly challenging; it's a bit scary, but the things I am learning far outweigh the challenge.
I'm learning things that I know I will actually employ in my industry, and the professors all have useful real-world experience.
You will only succeed here if you are serious about learning.

The dorms are very updated and quite comfortable; however, on some floors, you will have to struggle for social interaction as most people enjoy spending their time either doing homework or playing the latest video game.
There are plenty of special interest housing arrangements if you are interested.
There are no shortage of friendly people around to help you learn about RIT, but if you're a female you may feel quite alone in the midst of so many males.

Be advised that the campus food is extremely unpopular.
Gracie's, the main place to eat on campus, offers pretty much the same food at all times of the year, and there aren't a lot of palatable vegan or vegetarian options. However, the Corner Store is a great place to shop for frozen meals, fresh produce, or an indulgent snack, and there are some other nice places to eat scattered across campus.

If you're a nerd, then RIT will suit you just fine.
We have over 200 clubs, many of which are nerdy: the Anime Club, Quiddich Club, and Game Designer's Club come to mind.
There are also lots of events on campus, including comedy shows and big-name musical artists that are brought to campus frequently throughout the school year.

I wouldn't choose to go to school anywhere else even though RIT is rather expensive; in this case, you get what you pay for, and what you pay for is very good.
Not only does RIT have a 90% rate of job placement after graduation, but the things you will learn if you apply yourself at this place are awesome.
You can make a lot of friends in high places if you know what you're doing; most of the professors are accomplished professionals in their fields.

There are two weeks during which you will see people running around campus playing Humans Versus Zombies (which I encourage anyone to try, because you'll be able to make friends very easily).

If you're into high-end technology and you have a great dedication and passion for what you're doing, then RIT is right for you. If you don't know what you want to study yet, I wouldn't recommend going to RIT right away as it is rather expensive.

We have over 200 clubs. There's a club for pretty much everything including juggling, improv, playwriting, comedy, game development, Quiddich, martial arts of every type, and much, much more. It's a great way to meet people outside of your major and I encourage everyone to try at least one club.

There are a lot of fraternities on campus, but not as many as other campuses. If you're looking to party a lot in a frat, maybe these ones aren't for you. Most of the Greek groups encourage their members to have a good academic standing and even make you study for your initiation.

We have blue boxes all over campus and an active Public Safety force. They are generally kind and lenient unless someone is in danger. My car needed a jump one night, and with one quick call to Public Safety, an officer came over and helped me jump my car, turning a scary situation into a pleasant experience.

I started at RIT in September of 2008 as an Accounting major. One of the most appealing things about RIT is the co-op program. I am able to take two trimesters off of school without falling behind to intern in my field of study. I am learning so much and can apply everything I learned in the classroom setting to the work I do. The teachers are helpful and understanding, but strict. They oftentimes don't take attendance because they put the responsibility of going to class in your hands. Once you realize going to class is the only effective way to learn, things start becoming a lot easier. I have learned so much and have been able to take classes in many different colleges within RIT.

Although the winters are cold and windy, I wouldn't change a thing. The best way to meet people - get involved! I started out joining the school radio station, then a club or two, then a sorority and now I know so many more people than I could have ever imagined. RIT always has something going on on the weekends, whether it is a carnival (Apple Fest), Spring Fest, Club Fair, Freeze Fest, a concert (We the Kings, Boys Like Girls, Girl Talk), dances, or sports games. If you're a hockey fan, this is the place to be! The RIT Men's Hockey team is amazing and the school spirit at the games is phenomenal!

Although the university is relatively pricey, they offer a lot in merit scholarships and financial aid. Just watch out for deadlines and be sure to apply! The money is put to good use, though. You are getting an outstanding education at a top-notch university, access to a multi-million dollar fitness center, dozens of computer labs, free WiFi, cable, a gorgeous library and brand new student union/campus center, and the experience of a lifetime!

Don't be afraid to ask questions or to see a professor during office hours for extra help. In my experience, the professors like the students who ask questions. It shows that the students truly wants to learn.

Get involved! It is easy to feel lost at this school unless you have something to occupy yourself with on the weekends.

Take advantage of the facilities your tuition money helps pay for! The gym, library, and student union are gorgeous.

Go to class and do your homework. On the fast-paced quarter system, it is easy to fall behind.

Make friends in your major - their knowledge is invaluable.

Anyone looking for a reasonably priced education at a school with approximately 15,000 undergraduate students, a blossoming Greek life, study abroad opportunities, and weekend parties.

R.I.T truly prepares you for your career. I am a Freshman and a Psychology Major. I have only been here for a little over a month but I feel that I have learned so much already. The professors are extremely nice and actually desire to see us grasp everything we can while we're here.

I enjoy campus living to the utmost. There is so much to do and so many clubs. I'll admit it even becomes a little overwhelming when it comes to picking and choosing what you want to do because the reality is you can't do them all. But there is something for everybody. Dorm living is an experience. It may become irritating living with someone else but you get used to it and get to learn about new people and cultures.

You'll definitely get your money's worth. Whatever program you decide to enroll in will be a rewarding experience. Make sure you continue to apply for scholarships. The school also is awarding scholarships to students every quarter in various amounts which helps out with books and any other bills.

Work hard to earn the best grades and test scores as possible as it will put more money in your pocket and eliminate some courses you will otherwise have to take.
Be ready and willing to open up to learning more about people and life. College is a big deal. It opens up so many doors and is truly worth your time.

R.I.T. is honestly great for anyone who is serious about furthering their education, as it is very challenging. I never thought I would attend R.I.T., because of my background and what I like to do. When I arrived, I found that instead of doing something or going somewhere where I'm used to everyone because they are similar to me, it's better to put yourself in a place where no matter what you will be learning about yourself and others constantly.

RIT students have a lot of spirit- the orientation program has many options to choose form so that you can meet like-minded students easily. The campus is very walkable with green space throughout- there is never far to walk to be able to sit down on the grass and hang out. Even though it is a tech oriented school, there are a lot of athletics available.

Try to see the school in the fall or spring. there are more students out and about, during the winter- most of the students use the tunnel system below campus to get around so they don't have to go above ground in the weather- which can be really cold.

The classes are tough- no doubt about it. the instructors are great and there are plenty of support sessions available to help you out. you may end up on a lab section that meets at an inopportune time because there are so many freshman science courses that you have to fit in.

There are many options to choose form in style of dorm. Most of the dorms are located I the central part of the campus. There are several specialty dorms- dorms that allow for floors with a theme such as engineering, female only, floors for the deaf and hard of hearing, special interest such as ecology etc. there are also different style dorms- traditional bathroom down the hall single sex, or suite style with 2-3 rooms sharing one bathroom. Some of the rooms are small- there is not a lot of closet space, so bring things that help you save space- cascading hangers, cubes, extra bins.

The food is pretty good. there are several types of dining halls- one that is an all you can eat for one price, several cafes, and other places like ben and jerry's on campus that you can use your tiger bucks at. if you are a typical girl, I wouldn't buy the 21 meal plan- it's just too much food. if you opt for the 10 or 14 meals per week plan it should be plenty.

There are all sorts of activities that happen on campus- movie nights, events at the field house like concerts, magicians, and sporting events. Hockey is really big here. it's easier to get into Rochester if you have a car, but there are buses from campus that can take you almost anywhere. if you want to hit the shores of Lake Ontario, that is about a 25 minute drive, but really worth it in the nice weather.

There are tons of clubs to explore on almost any topic- foodies, movie lovers, dance, music and intramural sports. There is a rock climbing gym on campus and a boat house nearby on the river for water sports.

I've never been worried walking around on campus. most of the dorms and activity centers like the student union and the gym are all clustered together in the center of the campus. The walkways are well lit and there are always people around. You do have to make sure that you keep you stuff locked up though- I wouldn't go leaving your dorm room unlocked. people know that there are a lot of computers and tech stuff around and may steal it.

Academically amazing. Socially handicapped. You'll find a job.

Definitely consider the school if you're slightly interested in anything technology, design, fine arts, engineering, or even business. There is an increasing presence in the medical field (PA program top ranked, and perhaps newly created biomedical programs).

If you want college to be academically focused, and want a prospective career after graduation, then come here. We have gone up in rankings very quickly in the last 5 years, and we're getting even better.

A top ranked school in the engineering and design field. We're less recognized nationally as we don't offer much phD programs and the school is predominately undergraduate. New programs are quickly added though, and is def going to change within the few years.

As a transfer student, the school's academic rigor is very challenging. There is less focus on liberal arts. Despite having a concentration (similar to a minor, but a class or two less), there is less emphasis on liberal arts and you'll take courses that you're interested in within your field.

Most courses are preparing you to succeed in the real world, and you genuinely use the information you learn from the classroom. Most students here are genuinely focused and enjoy what they're studying.

It used to be even more challenging (during quarter systems), but the recent shift in a semester system gave students a bit more time to catch their breath.

Despite many other sources talking about freshmen dorm housing lacking, the housing at RIT is actually quite amazing for upperclassmen.

Freshmen are required to dorm in the typical dorm styled housing. Although with the recent influx of students, the dorms are over populated, causing students to move into far off-campus housing (there is a bus shuttle though, so not very overbearing).

Once you get pass your first year however, there is a wide range in housing, including townhouses, apartments, studios and even lofts. Global village is beautiful, and there are off campus contractors with apartment complexes that provide luxury housing (for a price not too much more than dorming). Buses shuttle these students as a great amount of RIT students live there.

If money is a problem, the housing market of Rochester is quite affordable, and homes for rent near campus is relatively affordable.

Dining for sure can improve. There are no major chains on campus, which can be a good and bad thing. Freshmens generally eat at the typical college dining hall, and not much options are available.

There are various coffee shops on campus, including Java's, a local chain, and shops that serve Starbucks coffee. There is a local chain serving an alternative to Chipotle, and visiting chefs from local restaurants.

If you're into anything gaming, you will probably absolutely love this school. There are more LAN parties than frat parties. Dota and LoL competitions are king here.

There are various clubs you can join. Intramural sport teams, billiards hall, and an entire building dedicated as a gym with pretty nice facilities. Swimming pool, indoor track, indoor tennis, outdoor tennis, weight rooms and 2 hockey arenas (which means year round iceskating).

RIT is an expensive school. Many students rely on aid and many more go into huge debts. It is def worth the high tuition, as unlike most other college grads, RIT students can pay off their loans.

Graduates are well rewarded, as job placement and demand for RIT grads is relatively high. As an engineering school, many students graduate with 6 figures.

There is a human vs zombie thing going on every year.

Nerds. Geeks. Engineers. Developers. Designers.

What Greek life?

There are Greek if you actively search for them. There are no 'frat bro' jersey shore types like in many schools, but there are tons of professional fraternities.

Campus Police is everywhere. It's hard to get around campus without seeing them actually.

Students are pretty respectful of others, and crime is almost unheard of on campus. The biggest scandal in recent years was a gun scare, which turned out to be a student holding a samarai sword umbrella that someone mistaken for a rifle.

Besides that, nerf guns are everywhere.