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Applying For Admission Common Questions

What degree or educational requirements are required to apply to RIT's degree and certificate programs?

All applicants to RIT's graduate programs must hold—or currently be completing—a four year baccalaureate degree, or the U.S. equivalent, granted by an accredited college or university. Applicants to undergraduate degree programs and certificate programs must have a high school degree or the equivalent. Each academic program has specific requirements and prerequisites. Check the program information on the webiste for more details, or contact us using the buttons on the right.

What is the application fee and how can I make my payment?

The application fee is $50 US dollars. You can pay the fee by Check, Bank Draft, Money Order or Traveler's Check. Make your document payable to Rochester Institute of Technology. Funds must be in US dollars and drawn on a US bank. Checks drawn on foreign banks are acceptable if the face of the check shows the US address of an affiliated US bank.

Visa or MasterCard - Required Information
Applicant's full name [no initials]
Date of birth [month, day and year]
16-digit account number
Expiration date [month and year]
Name of cardholder [owner of the account].

Visa or MasterCard - Payment Options: Go to www.rit.edu/grad. Click on 'Apply Online.' Then click on 'Online Payment of Application Fee' and fill in all required fields.

How will I be notified of an admission decision, and when will I be notified?

The Offices of Part-time and Graduate Enrollment Services will contact you to acknowledge receipt of your application, and tell you if any necessary items are missing from your file. As soon as a decision is made you will receive email notification. The length of time will vary by academic department, but once the applcation is complete it typically takes 2 to 6 weeks for a decision to be conveyed to you.

What is the application deadline?

Part-time applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer quarters. That is, as soon as the application is complete the admission committee reviews the application and makes the admission decision. The decisions are communicated 2 to 6 weeks after the application is complete.

How are admissions decisions made?

Decisions are made by the admissions committee in the college offering the program. All applicants will be notified of the admission decision as soon as possible. All credentials are considered in the application decision – transcripts, GPA, official test scores, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. In addition, some programs require portfolios, writing samples, and resumes.

What are the qualifications for entrance? What are my chances of being admitted given my academic background?

Requirements which vary by program and every candidate is different. Contact us in Part-Time Enrollment Services and we can discuss your background and your candidacy with you personally. While We can provide general information, but not an admission decision.

The program I am considering says that it admits students on a "rolling basis" what does that mean?

Applications for the some of RIT's program are accepted on a rolling basis, which means students can be admitted in any of the 4 academic quarters. There are 4 quarters, 10 weeks in length: Fall (Sept); Winter (Nov); Spring (March); Summer (June).

If I am not accepted in my first program choice, can I apply to another program?

Yes. After an admission decision has been on your first program choice, you may request in writing that you have your application reviewed for a second program. We recommend you prepare a second statement of educational objectives prior to this review.

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Costs and Financial Aid

Can I afford RIT?

We feel strongly that no qualified student should refuse to consider RIT because of cost. We offer a full range of traditional financial aid programs and a number of innovative financing plans. Currently, more than 10,000 RIT students receive over $110 million dollars in financial assistance from federal, state, and institutional resources, in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time employment. For more information regarding financial support for graduate students please refer to http://www.rit.edu/~w-ptgrd/financial.html

How much does tuition cost?

Graduate Tuition: $876/credit hour
Undergraduate Part-time Evening/Online Tuition: $432/credit hour
Undergraduate Day Tuition Rate: $641/credit hour

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Coopertive Education and Career Placement

Will I be able to get a good job after RIT?

RIT graduates find that their employment prospects are bright because career-related work experience is built into their academic programs. Work experience is gained through cooperative education, internships, and field experience. RIT attracts over 1,300 co-op employers nationwide and serves more than 2,600 RIT students each year. Learn more about the Office of Cooperative Education and Career Services at www.rit.edu/co-op/careers.

Am I guaranteed an internship, co-op or practical training work experience during my study?

No, however, RIT’s Office of Cooperative Education and Career Services provides job search assistance for all RIT students.

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General Questions about RIT

How big is RIT?

The main campus is about 1,300 acres, and includes 200 buildings spread over 4.8 million sq. ft. It is a coeducational, privately endowed Institute, enrolling more than 15,300 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students preparing for technical and professional careers.

Fall 2003 - 2004
Enrollment 15,334
Undergraduate 12,994
Graduate 2,340
Male 10,290
Female 5,044

Is RIT an accredited institution?

Yes, RIT is chartered by the legislature of the State of New York and accredited by the Commission on Higher Education, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and NY State Education Department, Office of College and University Education.

What's the student-to-faculty ratio?

The student/ faculty ratio is 13:1, and 91 percent of the classes have fewer than 40 students.

What is the difference between a state and a private school?

A state college is public and is primarily funded by the government therefore the cost to the student is lower. On the other hand a private college is funded privately.

What about student diversity?

The RIT student body consists of approximately 10,000 full-time and 2,100 part-time students, including 1,300 international students from 95 different countries. RIT students come from all backgrounds—Whites, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, African Americans and others. RIT is also home to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the world’s first and largest technological college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The presence of more than 1,150 deaf and hard-of-hearing students on campus adds a social dynamic not found at other colleges.

What is the ratio of female/male students?

For the 2003-2004 academic year there were 10,290 male and 5,044 female students.

How old is RIT?

Founded in 1829 as the Rochester Athenaeum, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has been a pioneer in career-oriented education and a leader in cooperative education since 1912.

When can I start classes at RIT?

RIT is on a quarter system (not semesters). There are 4 quarters, 10 weeks in length: Fall (Sept); Winter (Nov); Spring (March); Summer (June).

Can I take classes at RIT without being officially admitted to a degree program?

Yes. To take a class at the graduate level on a non-matric status usually requires permission from the dept. To take a class at the undergraduate level on a non-matric status usually requires completion of any pre-requisite OR a professor's approval. In both cases you must wait for the matriculated students to register for classes and then it is open registration for any non-matriculated students.

To view "Schedule of Courses":

Go to the RIT home page - www.rit.edu. Click on Guest View (lower right hand corner). Click on Info Center - upper bar - far right. Go to Public Folders. Click on Schedule of Courses

How do I sign up for a class as a non-matriculated student?

To sign up/register for an on campus class, see http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/pt_class.html and use the pdf course registration form. To register for online courses - see http://online.rit.edu/

What are my communication options for learning more about RIT programs?

You may email us questions for information about graduate programs to gradinfo@rit.edu. You may email us questions for information about undergraduate part-time programs to opes@rit.edu. You can LIVE CHAT (instant messaging) with us during business hours. Go to www.rit.edu/grad and click on the "LIVE CHAT" button in the upper right hand corner of our web page. You will be connected to our office staff immediately - just like making a phone call, but FREE! You can call us at 585-475-2229 or Toll Free at 866-260-3950.

What are the policies related to the required time to complete your degree? Will I need to reapply?

The policy states that part-time students showing no registration activity within the eight succeeding quarters are considered inactive and must reapply through admissions. There will be no application fee charged. Another consideration is that your program may be out of date. The relevant policy states that no student may graduate under the requirements of a bulletin published more than 7 calendar years prior to the date of graduation. So, you would need to check with the academic department to determine if a different curriculum is currently in place when you are re-accepted into the program.

What are immunization requirements for students?

NY State Public  Health Law 2165 requires students attending colleges and universities in New York State to demonstrate proof of immunity against measles, rubella and  mumps.  All students formally admitted into an academic program at RIT  (matriculated), registered for six (6) or more credit hours and born on or  after January 1, 1957 must provide the RIT Student Health Center with proof of  immunity. If no vaccination, proof of positive titer (blood test) or physician  diagnosis of disease is necessary.  Students who do not comply with these  requirements will be withdrawn from their courses.
Requirements  include:

OR

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