Graduate Application Instructions and Process

Starting your RIT Graduate application is quick and easy.

Our online application will typically take 15-20 minutes to complete. All you need to get started is to submit the online application and pay the application fee. You may upload other required documents at that time or at a later date in your admissions portal.

Easy Steps to Start Your Application

  1. Find your degree of choice and review the admission requirements.

  2. Create an RIT admissions account to begin your application. All you need is your email, first and last name, and birthdate to get started. Create an account

When to Apply

Determining when to apply is a great first step toward your RIT Graduate degree. When to apply to your degree depends on your start term and the degree's application deadline. Some degrees do not have a deadline and continue to accept applications throughout the year. We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible. If a deadline has passed, do not let that deter you. We still welcome your application and cannot wait to read it.

Apply early for priority consideration for financial aid

Certain programs have limited capacity; we recommend applying by the priority deadline

You can apply up to one year in advance of your desired start date

Application Deadline Definitions

Find a degree's application deadline

Admit Terms (i.e. the semester you start classes)

The term that a degree program admits students for depends on the delivery format (i.e. online, on campus) and whether you plan to pursue the degree part-time or full-time.

Find a degree's admit terms

What You Need to Apply

Application Materials

The RIT online graduate application includes sections that will ask you to provide us with personal/biographical information, contact information, citizenship details, your past or current college/university and major/degree details, and test score data (if required by your degree), in addition to other profile data. If letter(s) of recommendation are required for your degree, you will be able to enter the names and contact information for each recommender. You will also be able to upload any supporting materials to your application. You may upload supporting documents while completing your online application or after you have submitted your application in your admissions portal. RIT prefers all supporting documents be submitted electronically.

1st Choice Program

While completing your application, you will need to select the 1st choice program (i.e. major, degree) you want to apply to.

2nd and 3rd Choice Program

At RIT, you can submit one application and indicate up to 3 program choices. We encourage you to indicate a 2nd and 3rd choice program. If you are not accepted to your 1st choice program, we will automatically facilitate a review for your other choice(s). We will contact you if additional materials are required for 2nd and 3rd choice programs. 

Start Your Application

RIT requires a $65 application fee (excluding current RIT students and alumni). Your application fee can be paid within your admissions portal after you submit your application.

RIT requires transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended, including transcript grading keys. 
 International students should provide transcripts (or mark sheets) and degree certificates from all post-secondary institutions.

To submit your transcript(s) for application review:

  1. Upload copies or official transcript(s) with the submission of your online application, or
  2. Upload your transcript(s) through your admissions portal after you have submitted your application

Upon enrollment at RIT, you will need to contact your prior college or university and request that your official, final records be sent directly to RIT. Documents you upload are not considered official.

All applicants to RIT’s graduate programs must hold—or currently be completing—a four-year baccalaureate degree, or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree, granted by an accredited college or university.

If you have not yet completed your undergraduate coursework, your admission will be contingent upon submission of your final transcript showing the degree granted and the date of the degree.

3-Year Degrees from International Universities
RIT will review applicants with 3-year degrees from international universities. Students with 3-year degrees from India must meet all of the following conditions:

  • The college or university is  WHED recognized, and
  • The college or university is  NAAC accredited with an "A" grade, and
  • You have passed in the 1st Class (or equivalent).

If you do not meet the above requirements, you may request a WES evaluation or you would need to complete (or be in the process of) postgraduate study.

If your 3-year undergraduate degree is currently in progress, you may be admitted contingent upon obtaining your degree in the 1st class or equivalent.

Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) from Nigeria or Ghana
RIT considers Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) from Nigeria or Ghana to be comparable to US bachelor’s degrees under the following conditions: the HND is a 2-year program that followed a 2-year National Diploma (ND) or Ordinary National Diploma (OND) program, for a total of at least 4 years of post-secondary study.

Upload a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to your online application. Your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) should include details about your education, employment, and internship history. Pertinent research experience should be included as well.

Please upload a personal statement describing your educational objectives. The goal of the personal statement is to introduce yourself to the Admissions Committee. There is no minimum or maximum page length or word count.

The format is open-ended, but you may wish to address: 

  • Why you are applying for the program, such as your goals and your passion as it relates to the program of interest
  • How your degree program will relate to your long-range career objectives
  • What personal or “non-academic” qualities you will contribute to the learning environment in your program
  • What prior academic or research experience you have with respect to your chosen program
  • Specifically why you want to attend RIT

Please upload a statement of purpose for research which will allow the Admissions Committee to learn the most about you as a prospective researcher. There is no minimum or maximum page length or word count.

In the statement, we look for*: 

  • your ability to present your thoughts in a clear, concise way
  • evidence of your maturity and commitment to conduct research (you will be making contributions of worldwide impact in projects at the cutting edge of technology),
  • your understanding of what studying for a Ph.D. means,
  • your awareness of technological advancement in the field and your vision for specific areas where you would like to do research

*Applicants to the Business Administration Ph.D. should address the following questions in their statement of purpose:

  • Explain your educational background, life and work experiences, and how it has shaped your interest in the Ph.D. in Business Administration
  • Why are you interested in the Ph.D. program at Saunders College of Business? Please be specific
  • Describe any relevant research experience you have (e.g., master's or honors thesis, research assistantships)
  • Identify any possible areas of research or research questions that interest you given the two areas of specialization: 1) Digital Transformation and 2) Finance and Accounting
  • Tell us about a meaningful challenge or obstacle in your life and your response to it

*Applicants to the Cognitive Science Ph.D. should address these additional following questions in their statement of purpose:

  • Outline the key research question that motivates your proposed research.
  • Provide details about your academic background and preparedness to pursue that line of research.
  • Identify potential faculty advisor(s) from the Ph.D. in Cognitive Science faculty whose research interests suggest that they would be suitable research mentors.

*Applicants to the Physics Ph.D. should address these additional following questions in their statement of purpose:

  • Why are you interested in the Physics Ph.D. program at RIT? Please be specific.
  • Describe any relevant research experiences such as undergraduate Capstone projects, REUs, master's thesis, research assistantships, etc. If circumstances have prevented you from having a research experience, please describe that instead.
  • Identify what research areas you would be interested in if you are admitted to the program. 

One or more letters of recommendation are required for admission to all RIT graduate programs except those offered by the College of Business. Recommendations should come from members of the academic community and/or workplace professionals who know your qualifications for graduate study.

Submit Letter(s) of Recommendation

Within the online application, you are able to enter information for your recommenders and submit an email request for letters. Recommendation letters should be submitted directly to RIT from the referee/person writing the letter for you. 

The preferred method for the submission of recommendation letters is to use the functionality within the online application. If your recommenders are unable to submit their letters using the above method, then letters may be emailed directly by recommenders to gradinfo@rit.edu or sent by postal mail to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services.

Test Score Requirements

Only some degrees require a GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Examination).

Find a degree's test requirements

Submit Test Results

You must arrange for the testing agency to send your test results directly to RIT’s Office of Graduate Enrollment Services. Uploaded copies of your test score reports are not considered official and will not fulfill the application checklist requirement.

RIT's code for ETS reporting is 2760. You may choose any department code. All test scores will be sent to Graduate Enrollment Services in a test score file within 10-14 days regardless of the department code selected.

 Ensure that the email address used for your application matches the email used with your testing agency.

Troubleshooting
Q: I sent my test scores. Why has my application checklist not been updated?
A: If the email address or name used on your application is different than the email address or name on your score report, your test score checklist may not update to “received.” Please email gradinfo@rit.edu with this concern and note the name difference.

You have the option to submit a writing sample as part of your application. View the admissions requirements section on your degree page to determine if a writing sample and/or essay is required by the program to which you seek admission.

Find your degree's page

View the admissions requirements section on your degree page to determine if a portfolio is required by the program to which you seek admission. Find your degree's page

If a portfolio is required, locate your degree on the portfolio requirements page and follow the guidelines for submitting your portfolio.

English Language Test Requirements

An official score report for the TOEFL, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic exam, or RIT English Language Proficiency Test is required of all international applicants who do not meet the requirements outlined in the waiver section below.

  1. View the overall minimum score requirement for your intended program in the graduate admission deadlines and requirements table.
  2. In addition, each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses. For example, a minimum overall score of 88, will require sub-scores of 22 for Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening.
  3. Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers do not need to take the listening and speaking sections for the TOEFL and IELTS. Scores from these sections will not be considered in the review of application materials because the listening/speaking components of the TOEFL and IELTS sections are not relevant for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

Exams Accepted

Exams NOT Accepted

  • Duolingo
  • TOEFL Essentials
  • IELTS General
  • TOEFL MyBest Scores
  • IELTS One Skill Retake
  • Letters from your college or university indicating "English proficiency" or letters indicating courses were taught in English in place of official English language test scores.

Submitting Test Scores
You must arrange for the testing agency to send your test results directly to RIT’s Office of Graduate Enrollment Services. Only official exam results received this way will be considered. Uploaded copies of your test score reports will not update your checklist item to “received.”

RIT's code for ETS (TOEFL) reporting is 2760. You may choose any department code. All test scores will be sent to Graduate Enrollment Services in a test score file within 10-14 days regardless of the department code selected. Allow an additional 3 - 5 days from the date RIT should receive the official scores for processing and checklist updates.

IELTS score reports may be sent to us electronically or in paper format from the testing agency. If you have concerns about your IELTS score report, please email gradinfo@rit.edu.

 Ensure that the email address used for your application matches the email used with your testing agency.

Troubleshooting
Q: I requested my official test scores to be sent to RIT through the testing agency. Why has my application checklist not been updated?
A: If the email address or name used on your application is different than the email address or name on your score report, your test score checklist may not update to “received.” Please email gradinfo@rit.edu with this concern.

English Test Requirement Waivers 

International Applicants may be considered for a waiver of the RIT English Language Proficiency Test, TOEFL, PTE-Academic, or IELTS Academic exams if:

  • They have worked or studied in the U.S. for the last two years, and/or
  • They have completed bachelor’s or master’s degree from an English-medium university from the territories on the list below, and/or
  • They are citizens of the territories below and have completed secondary school at an English-medium school.

RIT has determined those countries/territories to be the following:

  • American Samoa
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Canada
  • Commonwealth Caribbean
  • England
  • Guam
  • Ireland
  • Kenya
  • Mauritius
  • New Zealand
  • Scotland
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Virgin Islands
  • Wales

Deaf or hard-of-hearing students must submit an unaided audiogram to be considered for the reduced tuition rate.

  Your admissions portal provides a checklist to help determine any additional materials you need to complete your application. Your application will be sent for review to the Admissions Committee once all required items have been submitted.

After You Apply

Once the application is received, your graduate admissions counselor will contact you via email to acknowledge receipt of your application—and tell you if any necessary items are missing from your application.

You may log in to your admissions portal at any time to monitor and track the receipt of your application credentials, upload new supporting documents, change your email address or password and follow us on social media! Your admissions portal also hosts a checklist to aid in determining what is needed to complete your application. Log into your admissions portal

If you need changes or updates made to your application after submission, email gradinfo@rit.edu. Please do not submit a second application.

If you did not indicate a 2nd or 3rd choice program on your application, you may contact us to add one.

The Office of Graduate Enrollment and each college's department work closely and carefully to review each application submitted. After you apply, you will be notified by email:

  • Once the application is received by your graduate enrollment counselor. Your counselor will contact you if any necessary items are missing from your application.
  • When your application has been sent to the admissions committee for review. Each graduate department makes its own admission decisions on its own schedule. Typically, the decision process takes a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks. In some cases, the review process may take up to 12 weeks or more.
    • Some programs will not start the review process until after the priority deadline and if this is the case, you will see a “hold for program review deadline” administrative checklist item in your admissions portal. This checklist item keeps your application with the Graduate Admissions office until the priority deadline date. All complete applications will be sent to the admissions committee for review after the priority deadline.
  • Once a decision has been made on your admissions status.

You can log into your admissions portal at any time to monitor your application progress, track the status of your application credentials, receive your admissions decision, and more.

Obtaining an International Student Visa

Our team is here to help you understand the next steps for applying for your student visa. To apply for a student visa, U.S. government regulations require international students to demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to meet the costs of tuition, fees, supplies, and living expenses for at least nine months of full-time study.

Learn next steps for obtaining or maintaining your student visa

Contact Us

Our team is here to help you as you apply to RIT's graduate programs. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need assistance.