Hi, I'm Ally Pavlock—RIT Class of 2022, former transfer student, and someone who took the long way to figure out where I belonged. I grew up in a small town on the edge of the Allegheny National Forest in rural Pennsylvania. I wasn’t at the top of my class, and math was always a struggle for me. Like many students, I graduated from high school without a clear plan for the future.
I initially dreamed of becoming a physical therapist, but when I applied to my dream school, my math scores weren’t high enough for the program. I pivoted to construction management—but again, my math grades held me back. After two rejections, I felt stuck and unsure of what direction to take.
At the time, I was working as a manager at a local movie theater, and my mom encouraged me to take a step toward something—anything. I enrolled in a criminal justice program at my local college, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College (NPRC), mostly due to my interest in crime movies and shows. To my surprise, it changed everything. With the help of a dedicated academic advisor, I started working harder than I ever had before—and saw what I was truly capable of.
I also took a leap toward another dream: joining the military. I had tried to enlist in the Marines at 17, but health issues delayed that plan. At 19, I finally joined the U.S. Army Reserves. After a year of college, I left to serve.
Although my military service was cut short due to personal reasons, it pushed me to think bigger. I returned home and completed another semester at NPRC. During that time, I took a sociology class that completely changed my perspective. Coming from a small town, learning about different cultures and communities opened my eyes—and gave me a sense of purpose.
At that point, I knew I wanted to return to the military in an officer role, which meant earning a bachelor’s degree. I began looking for colleges with Air Force ROTC programs—and that’s when I found Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).
From my first visit to RIT, I felt something different. Driving onto campus with my mom, I remember seeing the large RIT flags and feeling this deep sense of belonging. The sun was shining, the air was crisp, and something just clicked: this was where I needed to be.
I attended an info session, applied, and thanks to the strong academic track record I’d built at NPRC, I was accepted as a transfer student.
My Time at RIT
Transferring to RIT in Spring 2020 wasn’t easy. I moved three hours from home, didn’t know anyone, and was adjusting to full-time campus life for the first time. But I reminded myself I was here for a reason—and I wasn’t going to let fear stop me. I had amazing roommates who welcomed me and helped me settle in quickly.
Then, just two months later, the pandemic hit.
RIT closed its campus that spring, and like many students, I had to adjust to online learning and an entirely new college experience. Even when we returned to campus in the fall, it was difficult to connect—masks made it hard to recognize people, and socializing was limited. Still, I pushed through.
As the world slowly opened up, so did my RIT experience. I made meaningful connections, got involved, and began to thrive both personally and academically. One of the most impactful experiences I had was becoming a campus tour guide. Giving tours sparked something new in me: an interest in college admissions and helping prospective students find their place—just like I had.
My final semester was my most intense and rewarding: I took 18 credits, completed an internship, worked in the Admissions Office, played basketball, and raised a new puppy—all at the same time. That semester, I made the Dean’s List for the first time.
In August 2022, I proudly graduated from RIT with two bachelor's degrees: One in sociology and anthropology and one in criminal justice.
Where I Am Now
After graduating, I began working as a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) in local elementary and middle schools. In this role, I supported students throughout the day with emotional regulation, both in the classroom and at home. I worked closely with families to help create more stable and, supportive environments for kids who were struggling emotionally or behaviorally. That job taught me patience, empathy, and how deeply education and mental health are connected.
After almost three years as a BHT, I achieved a full-circle moment: I was offered my dream job—as an Admissions Counselor at Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, the same college that gave me my second chance and helped launch my education journey.
How RIT Shaped Me
RIT played a huge role in getting me here—not just academically, but personally and professionally. My experience as a transfer student, a tour guide, and an engaged member of the campus community helped cultivate my passion for admissions work. RIT gave me the confidence to step into unfamiliar spaces, push past self-doubt, and discover what I was truly capable of achieving.
Transferring to RIT was not just a step forward in my education—it was the turning point that helped shape me into the person I am today.
To Prospective Transfer Students:
If you're thinking about transferring to RIT, know this:
- Your path doesn’t have to be perfect to lead you to something great.
- You are not behind—you are building something unique, step by step.
- RIT has space for people like you, who are still figuring things out but are ready to grow.
- There is purpose in the detours. You don’t need a straight line to find success.
If you’re looking for a school that will challenge you, support you, and help you discover your path, RIT might just be that place—it was for me.
About the author
TigerTalk welcomes members of the RIT community to share their stories, experience, and expertise.
