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.

The full list of items that must be completed prior to your arrival can be found in the New Student Checklist.

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 Admissions Application Status 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 Application Status page in your Admissions Portal and 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. 

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.

You will receive an account activation email from RIT when your enrollment deposit has been received and posted to our system. Please allow 1-2 business days for deposit payment processing. The account activation email will go to the email address supplied on your admissions application. If after two business days you have not received the account activation email but HAVE paid your deposit, please contact the RIT Service Center for assistance. (Please note that this is different than the RIT Admissions account that you used during the application process. You will use your new RIT computer account login to complete other enrollment processes including housing contracts and student health forms, and going forward as an RIT student.)

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 computer 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 computer 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 computer account (username and password) to login to the myLife portal.

For U.S. citizens and permanent residents seeking need-based financial aid, please complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit it to the federal processor. The RIT school code is 002806.

For international students seeking need-based financial support, please complete the College Board CSS Profile for International StudentsCanadian Student Financial Aid Application, or the RIT International Student Financial Aid Application (RITISFAA) and submit it by uploading it to your admissions portal. When completing the College Board CSS Profile, enter code 2760 on your CSS Profile application to have your Profile information sent to RIT.

If you are seeking fall admission, it is important that you file your financial aid application by our preferred filing dates November 1 (for Early Decision I), January 1 (for Early Decision II), or January 15 (for Regular Decision). Applications received after those dates will receive consideration on a funds availability basis. 

If you have been offered financial aid, your offer should be accepted, modified, or declined in eServices. Please be sure to follow all procedures outlined to ensure proper crediting and disbursement of any financial aid you may have been awarded. You must have an RIT computer account to accept your offer. Questions relating to your offer may be addressed by calling 585-475-2186 or emailing ritaid@rit.edu

All incoming students must complete and submit the required immunization and health history forms online via the RIT Wellness Portal. This includes:

  • Immunization Record
  • Health History
  • Tuberculosis Screening
  • Treatment Authorization
  • Insurance Plan

These forms must be completed and submitted as soon as possible to prevent delays or disruptions to your enrollment. Instructions on how to access and complete the required forms via the RIT Wellness Portal will be sent to your RIT email address separately.

If you have questions, please contact the Student Health Center at 585-475-2255. 

Final Transcript Requirements

High School Students
All entering students should request a FINAL transcript (indicating the date of graduation) be sent to RIT as soon as it becomes available, no later than the start of the fall semester. Registration and potential eligibility to receive financial aid may be delayed until this is received.

Please contact your high school counseling office or school official and request that they send this information in an official electronic format or in a school envelope to:

RIT Undergraduate Admissions Office
60 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623
admissions@rit.edu

Transfer Students 
Please contact the Registrar’s Office at your current or previous college(s) to request that they send your final official college transcript in an official electronic format or in a school envelope to:

RIT Undergraduate Admissions Office
60 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623
admissions@rit.edu

To check the receipt of final transcripts, you can log in to your RIT applicant account to review your checklist at join.rit.edu/status.

Do you have AP, IB or other types of college or exam credit(s) that you have not already submitted to RIT to review for transfer credit?

  • Advanced Placement (AP): Please request an official AP score report be sent from the College Board to RIT Undergraduate Admissions.
  • International Baccalaureate (IB): Please request that IB send your official score report to the RIT Admissions Office and it will be evaluated in order to determine eligible credit. 
  • Dual Enrollment College Credit: Request an official transcript from the college/university awarding the credit be sent to RIT Admissions and it will be reviewed for transfer credit.

For any other college-level test credit, please contact the testing organization directly and request that transcripts/score reports be sent to the RIT Admissions Office.

Class Registration

In late-July, academic departments register students for fall term classes. You will be notified when your preliminary schedule is available to view in the Student Information System (SIS) with your RIT computer account and password.  Please be aware that as official Advanced Placement (AP) scores, official college transcripts, and RIT placement test scores are received, schedules will be adjusted accordingly.  Review Undergraduate Academic Advising FAQs for more information.​

In order to be best prepared for an RIT education, students are strongly encouraged to consider the purchase of a laptop. Most colleges have recommended minimum computer specifications. Students may also take advantage of an educational discount if purchased through RIT’s Digital Den.

Email notifications are sent to students and authorized payers (e.g., parents, guardians, etc.) when bills become available. Student Financial Services has information on fee rates, billing, payment options, loan repayment, and educational tax credit. RIT's online eServices site provides real-time account inquiry and electronic payment for tuition/fees.

You can authorize up to three persons to receive eBill reminder notifications, course schedules, and grades by logging into eServices.

You can add funds to your Dining and Tiger Bucks balances in Tiger Spend.

Fall Incoming Students

RIT Orientation will help you get acclimated as a new student. With online modules that are completed over the summer and a required on-campus program that begins just after move-in, you will get all the guidance and resources you need to successfully start your RIT journey. Important information and details regarding your Orientation experience will be sent to your RIT email address starting in May and will continue over the summer. Visit the RIT Orientation website for more information.

Fall Orientation 2023 Dates:

  • Welcome Days: Sunday, August 20, and Monday, August 21
  • New Student Orientation: Tuesday, August 22 – Sunday, August 27

 

Spring Incoming Students

Spring Orientation for first-year and transfer students has two components – a virtual orientation experience and an on-campus program. Through these combined experiences, you will get connected to services and resources that will support you on your RIT journey. Information about Orientation will be sent to your RIT email address starting in December and will continue through January. Online registration for the on-campus New Student Orientation program is required.

Spring Orientation 2024 dates will be announced in the fall.

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.

international flags

Welcome International Students

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