Beyond the Brochure: My First Semester Truths at RIT

As a high school student with decision day approaching, it can be hard to imagine yourself making a decision that will affect the rest of your life. To assure you made the right choice, I compiled a list of things I wish I had known before arriving that would have made me love RIT even more. This is what sealed the deal for me: the responsive faculty and staff, extensive clubs and extracurricular activities, and the benefits of the Honors Program.

As a biomedical sciences student, I have taken 4 science courses, each with its own unique difficulties. The faculty at RIT have been more than willing to meet during office hours or outside of them to accommodate busy schedules. One of my professors became my mentor. In addition to responsive faculty, my advisors have been extremely helpful in navigating my first semester at college. My academic advisor walked me through how to make my spring semester schedule, helped me balance credits with my other interests, like Spanish classes, and helped me get credit for research. My faculty advisor was also helpful in orienting me to the new environment, and I am now working in her research lab in the College of Health Sciences and Technology. From these positive experiences, it’s clear that the faculty and advisors at RIT are not only top-quality, but they are also all willing to work with you as a student and with other faculty to help you succeed. 

As far as clubs and experiences go, the first club I joined was the Tennis Club, which I knew I wanted to do before coming to RIT. The club turned out to be much better than I imagined. Everyone is very welcoming of all skill levels, with courts dedicated to a range of abilities. With the U.S Tennis Association (USTA) players, I have gone to two tournaments so far, which was very new to me but a good team-building experience. 

Best of all, I have made some close friends, which makes playing that much more fun. As a performing arts scholar, I had to pick a club or class that satisfies my requirement to do something instrumental for at least one semester of the year, which is why I joined Wind Symphony. After my audition and acceptance, I played with other trumpeters who are now close friends. With two concerts per semester, we never play the same music for too long.

Another of my favorite clubs is the RIT Beekeeping Club. They are responsible for caring for the RIT bees and raising awareness about their importance in the environment. They regularly have meetings to share information on the bees’ well-being and host hive inspections in the fall and spring. 

As for the community aspect, RIT Ambulance (RITA) serves as the emergency medical services for the RIT community. After an onboarding process, my time with RITA has been very rewarding. Being able to benefit the campus community directly week after week never gets old.

Another aspect of my time at RIT is the Honors program. If chosen, they offer several benefits, such as early access to scheduling and up to 24 credits per semester. My favorite aspect so far has been the numerous off-campus activity opportunities. Additionally, I cannot recommend Honors housing enough. Being in Carlton Gibson Hall this year has elevated my year at RIT in so many ways. It provides a small, tight-knit community of fellow Honors students who have become my best friends. Having this community was also super important to me, coming from a very small town, now facing a 14,000+ undergraduate population. These are a great way to get out and connect with fellow honors students. From Niagara Falls to escape rooms, the trips really capture a wide range of interests. They also provide many community service opportunities. 

A great way to see even more of what RIT has to offer is to attend any events you can, whether another tour, a webinar, or a summer send-off near you! If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask any of the students there. We would love to answer any questions you may have. I hope to see you there if you are admitted to the College of Health Sciences and Technology or the Honors Program, and GO TIGERS!