Admission to the Honors Program

Each year, RIT admits approximately 150 new students into the Honors Program. These outstanding students represent the top 5% to 8% of RIT's accepted applicants and less than 1% of all students applying for freshman admission to RIT.

Prospective students begin the admission process by submitting RIT's Application for Undergraduate Admission, along with their secondary school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. These application materials must be submitted no later than February 1 (December 1 for early decision Early Decision candidates). This is also the application deadline for RIT's Presidential Scholarship Program. Applications received by February 1 (December 1 for Early Decision) are reviewed by the Undergraduate Admissions Office to select a limited number of candidates who are then invited to join the Honors Program. Students who are selected for admission to the Honors Program will be notified shortly after receiving admission to the university.

 

In selecting students for the RIT Honors Program, the Admissions Committee looks for a combination of characteristics that will support the student in meeting the demands associated with being a member of the Honors Program. These include evidence of ability and motivation to take full advantage of the academic, professional, and experiential opportunities that the program provides. For entering students, this potential is demonstrated largely by high-school grades, test scores, class standing, recommendations and a record of extracurricular activities and personal interests.

 

 

The profile for the 2012 Honors entering freshman class is as follows:

 

           

 

	25th Percentile	75th Percentile
Grade Point Average	96	99
Rank in Class	95%tile	99%tile
SAT Critical Reading	670	740
SAT Math	680	760
SAT Writing	640	720
SAT Total	2030	2170
ACT Composite	30	33

 

There are expectations of honors students and a careful application process will take these into consideration. As an honors student you will be expected to:

• Take honors courses
• Be an active participant in extracurricular (service/leadership) activities
• Complete honors graduation requirements (Note: students who join the Honors Program after their first year are required to complete 9 honors points and not the 12 honors points required of incoming students)

Application Processes

Application with Summer Scholarship Proposal

• Students will submit funding proposals for summer scholarship activities by Friday, February 1, 2013, with awards determined by the end of winter quarter
• See the application and guidelines (PDF).
• See also the Reference Guidance Sheet.
• KGCOE late entry students are selected through the summer research process.
• COS late entry students are selected ONLY through the summer research process.

NOTE: SUMMER HOUSING

Students conducting summer research can select to live in RIT housing for the summer quarter. However, funding for RIT housing is not guaranteed and students may be required to pay for their summer housing costs.

 

Application without summer project

• Applications due by Monday, April 1, 2013
• See the online application
• KGCOE will participate in the regular late entry process if seats are still available after the summer research process.
• COS will not participate in the regular late entry process.

With both processes

• Students will describe their extra-curricular, service, and leadership activities, as well as list any honors courses taken.
• Students will describe how membership in the Honors Program will contribute to their educational, professional, or research goals. These descriptions should be as specific as possible, realizing that 9 honors points must be earned, while recognizing that this is not a binding contract.
• Students will submit a letter from a faculty member describing their academic strengths, extracurricular activities (where applicable), and potential to benefit from and contribute to the Honors Program.

If you have questions or concerns about the Later Entry Application Process, please make an appointment to see the honors advocate in your college or the Honors Program Director.