What's Next for Accepted Students

As an incoming RIT student, there are a number of items you must complete. Jumpstart your RIT journey by checking the following items off your list as soon as possible.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing students should view the RIT/NTID Enrollment Checklist for personalized next steps. Graduate students should view their applicable next-step checklist.

Your First Five Steps

To accept our offer of admission and reserve your place in RIT’s entering class, please complete the online Reply to Offer of Admission form, which can be found on your My Next Steps page in your Admissions Portal. Once this is complete, you should finalize your enrollment intention by submitting your $500 acceptance of admission deposit by the deadline stated in your acceptance letter.

To pay via credit card and to expedite the processing of your enrollment deposit, please log into your Admissions Portal and on the My Next Steps page you can submit your payment using the secure link found under “Payment Due.” If you would like to pay your enrollment deposit by mail, or wire transfer, view details about additional payment methods. Once your deposit is received, please allow 1-2 business days for processing. Your other required enrollment steps (e.g., housing contract) will not be available until your payment has been processed. The enrollment deposit is non-refundable. 

Note: Due to ongoing delays in FAFSA data processing, the deposit deadline for first-year regular decision and transfer applicants who are U.S. Citizens or permanent residents has been extended from May 1 to May 15, 2024.

IMPORTANT: All deposits will be posted with the date of online receipt or mailing postmark. Students submitting the enrollment deposit after the deadline noted in their offer of admission letter may have their deposit returned once enrollment capacity has been reached.

Receiving Your RIT Account Activation Email
After your enrollment deposit has been received and posted to our system, you will receive an RIT Account activation email. Please allow 1-2 business days for deposit payment processing. The RIT Account activation email will go to the email address you supplied on your admissions application.

  • Note that your RIT Account is different from your RIT Admissions Account that you used during the application process. You will use your new RIT Account login to complete other enrollment processes including housing contracts and student health forms, and going forward as an RIT student.

Troubleshooting a Missing Account Activation Email

  1. Check your spam/junk folder if you have not received your account activation email. 
  2. After two business days, if you have not received the account activation email but HAVE paid your deposit, please visit the RIT Service Center, select Guest, and Report an Issue for assistance.

RIT Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
RIT provides Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as an extra layer of security for systems that store sensitive data. MFA is a way of ensuring that only you are able to access your accounts in these applications. In addition to your username and password, MFA requires you to provide an additional verification step to validate your identity. All RIT students are required to enroll in MFA. View instructions on how to enroll and additional information on how MFA works.

View additional account setup checklist items

Once you have created your RIT Account AND your enrollment deposit has been received and processed, your RIT student Gmail account becomes active. At this time your RIT student Gmail account will become your preferred email address in our system. You should check this account on a regular basis. Communication sent to RIT student Gmail accounts will include information from New Student Orientation, Student Financial Services, RIT Housing, Financial Aid & Scholarships, and academic departments.

RIT has partnered with Google to provide RIT Gmail accounts for all students. To access your RIT Gmail account, visit Google Apps at RIT. Additionally, you can set email preferences by visiting start.rit.edu. Your RIT Gmail can also be forwarded to your preferred email account.

RIT Housing provides the best living environment for students who are in pursuit of successful college experiences where they can develop friendships, be inspired to work on creative projects, and engage in new experiences in a safe and residential atmosphere. Every student living in RIT Housing must sign an online housing contract. No additional housing deposit is required. Visit RIT Housing to explore the many living options available to you.

First-Year Housing Contract

All entering first-year students are required to live in one of RIT Housing’s first-year communities for their first academic year, with the exception of those who live within a 30-mile commuting distance with a parent or legal guardian. 

  • First-year students entering in the fall semester will have the opportunity to select their own roommate and residence hall room assignment on a first-come, first-served basis, depending upon 1) the receive date of your enrollment deposit and 2) the receive date of your first-year housing contract.
  • First-year students entering in the spring semester will be assigned to available space by RIT housing.

Entering incoming first-year students are guaranteed housing. RIT first-year student housing includes residence halls and the RIT Inn.

To complete a housing contract, use your RIT Account (username and password) to login to the myLife portal.

Transfer Housing Contract 

Entering transfer students may live in RIT housing or non-RIT housing. Transfer students are assigned RIT housing on a space-available basis, prioritized by 1) the receive date of the enrollment deposit and 2) the receive date of the housing contract. RIT transfer student housing includes residence halls, Global Village, RIT Inn & Conference Center, and a limited number of apartments and suites.

To complete a housing contract, use your RIT Account (username and password) to login to the myLife portal.

Once you have completed this short list, move on to the full list of items that must be completed before your arrival to RIT.

View the Complete New Student Checklist

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Welcome International Students

The information provided in the guide below will help you as you plan for your arrival at RIT.

Request a Deferral

If you are unable to attend RIT in the term you have been admitted, you may be able to defer your admission to a future term. Please contact Undergraduate Admissions at 585-475-6631 or admissions@rit.edu for more information.