Graduate FAQs


Graduate FAQs
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General FAQs addressing the application process, costs and financial aid, and more can be viewed below.
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Fall 2021 Online Tuition Deposits & Visas
Your tuition deposit will be credited to the fall semester tuition. It is not an additional fee.
RIT has extended the graduate deposit deadline from May 1 to May 15 to alleviate pressure on students and families. We have many programs that have limited capacity and waitlists, and will begin going to the waitlists after May 15, so be sure to pay the $500 deposit by May 15 to reserve your place in the program and your merit scholarship.
When you submit the $500, you are committing to joining us in the Fall for on-campus, if possible. If on-campus study is not an option, we will enroll you in the online/remote option
The tuition deposit is refundable only if you apply for and are denied a visa. In this case, you will need to show proof of that denial
No, you need to make your decision and submit the tuition deposit by May 15 in order to reserve your place in the class. If you do not pay by May 15, we cannot guarantee you a place in the class.
Rest assured that RIT has a positive track record and typically sees few visa applications rejected. In the event of difficulty during the application process or an initial denial, we are happy to provide a letter of support for you to take to the consulate, along with your I-20, to assist with your interview.
We are optimistic and confident that few students will be unable to join us for on-campus study in Spring 2022. In the unlikely event you are denied a visa for Spring 2022, RIT will refund 60% of your tuition fees paid from the Fall 2021 semester online study. We will also offer the 60% refund if in-person classes for Spring 2022 are canceled due to COVID-19.
In addition, any student who successfully completes the Fall semester online and is not able to come to campus in Spring 2022 will be able to continue their master's degree program on campus in the next available term. Should this happen we will work with you to develop an individual plan of study once you complete the Fall online semester.
Yes, your admissions counselor will work directly with students beginning on-campus study in Spring 2022 to issue an updated I-20 for that term.
Fall 2021 Deferrals & Scholarships
Due to program demand, we are not entertaining requests for deferrals at this time.
There is a waitlist for many of our programs, and you must pay the tuition deposit by May 15 to reserve your place. When you pay the tuition deposit, you are committing to starting with us for the Fall 2021 term (classes start on August 23), either online or on-campus.
Not at this time. All our applicants were automatically reviewed for scholarship during the admissions review process. Scholarships were awarded based on your academic background and your overall application record, in comparison to the other students who were admitted.
If you pay the $500 by May 15, and are not able to start on campus in Fall because of COVID-19, you will receive an additional 10% scholarship for the fall term if you commit to online/remote study.
If you received a merit scholarship from your department you will get that merit scholarship for the program whether you start on campus or online. In the event you cannot come to campus and start online/remote, you will receive a 10% scholarship (or an additional 10% scholarship if you already received a merit award) for the Fall semester only.
Fall 2021 Online/Remote Classes
Online courses at RIT are the same as our on-campus courses. RIT has a long history of online education, and we currently offer more than 30-degree programs online – most of which are graduate programs. Many of our on-campus students elect to take online courses while they are studying on campus.
The online courses you will take are the courses required for the on-campus program, delivered virtually. They have the same content, including case studies, interactive exercises, projects, research, papers, and exams. They are interactive classes, taught by the same professors that are teaching the on-campus courses. You will collaborate and interact with your classmates in the graduate program and have the same assignments and workload. Remember this is full-time graduate study, so be prepared to work hard. Every program and course is a little bit different, your academic advisor and graduate program director will work with you over the summer to develop your plan of study and register you for the courses you will need.
You’ll each be assigned an advisor (faculty and/or staff) and work with them to plan your program of study, research, and career path. From the time you enroll, you will be connected to faculty and advisors. They will have virtual office hours, online meetings and conferences, workshops, and seminars.
You will also engage and interact regularly, both during and outside of class, with faculty and other students in your program. You will have access to the same technology and resources, including the Wallace Library, Career Services and Cooperative Education staff, resources and support. In addition, there are a variety of academic programs, lectures, seminars, workshops, campus events, and activities that you will be informed of that can take place in a virtual environment. Finally, students will have access to support services and staff including International Student Services, academic advisors, graduate education office, and other resources and support.
English language courses will also be available online for the Fall. RIT also offers a 5-week Intensive Summer English program that will be offered online from June 29 – August 5. See the course list here.
Waiver exams for required bridge courses, which are typically offered on-campus in August, will be offered online instead. All required bridge courses will also be offered online for the Fall semester.
Fall 2021 CPT (Co-op Work Experience)
The Fall semester online will not count towards the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) requirement of two semesters. If you begin your program online, you will be eligible for both CPT and OPT after completing two semesters of on-campus study.
We cannot predict the future during this time of rapid change. However, we know that in the computing/engineering fields, companies are as busy as ever and our graduating students are still finding jobs in the United States. Additionally, if you start your studies now, you will utilize this time while the economy is recovering to get the in-demand skills to enter the job market and be able to hit the ground running when you are ready to seek a job in the US.
Applying For Admission
All applicants to RIT’s graduate programs must hold (or currently be completing) a four-year baccalaureate degree, or the U.S. equivalent, granted by an accredited college or university. View graduate admission deadlines and requirements by degree
RIT requires a $65 application fee for applicants other than RIT alumni and current students within one school year of completing another RIT program. Your application fee can be paid within your admissions portal.
Each graduate department makes its own admission decisions on its own schedule. You will be notified of your admission status, as soon as possible. For information concerning the decision status of your completed application, or for further information about application procedures, contact your Admissions Counselor.
Although you may upload scanned copies of official academic documents to your online application, if you’re admitted, you will need to send official hard copy transcripts/degree certificates to RIT.
Notarized copies are not considered official academic documents. Academic documents (photocopies or originals) must be attested (bearing an original colored stamp and/or signature) by the granting college or university. Unfortunately, we cannot accept notarized documents.
If you feel that your academic credentials are not the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree, we recommend an academic credential evaluation to determine the exact U.S. degree equivalency.
Generally, no, an international credential evaluation is NOT required for admission to graduate programs at RIT. However, our office will conduct a review of your academic documents when received and if we DO NOT believe that your educational background is the equivalent of a 4 year U.S. bachelor's degree, we may suggest that you have your credentials reviewed by one of the agencies listed below.
- International Education Research Foundation Inc.
- World Education Services
- Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute Inc.
- Educational Credentials Evaluators Inc.
For detailed application deadline information about your specific program of interest, please refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements. Many programs accept applications on a rolling basis.
Decisions on graduate selection are made by the college offering the program. All applicants will be notified of the admission decision as soon as possible. All credentials are considered in the application decision – transcripts, GPA, official test scores (English language scores, GMAT, GRE), personal statement, and resume. In addition, some programs require portfolios, writing samples, and letters of recommendation. Work experience is NOT required for most programs. For detailed admissions requirements for your specific program of interest, please refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements and refer to your graduate program web page.
For specific entrance requirements for your particular program of interest, please refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements.
The Office of Graduate Enrollment Admissions Counselors can provide general information, but not an admission decision. Admission decisions are made by the college and an admissions committee for your program.
As soon as you submit your application and we receive and evaluate your complete application packet your application will be sent to the graduate program admissions committee for review and an admission decision. You can contact our Office of Graduate Enrollment Services by email, our online chat, or by phone to discuss your application and background. Again, we can provide general information, but not an admission decision.
The program I am considering says that it admits students on a "rolling basis": what does that mean?
Applications for some of RIT's programs are accepted on a rolling basis, which means applicants are reviewed all year. RIT is on a semester-based calendar. To identify what programs are offered on a rolling basis or are offered for specific terms please refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements.
Minimum TOEFL scores vary by program. Please refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for specific minimum test score requirements. If your TOEFL score falls below the minimum, consider starting English language courses at RIT’s English Language Center.
In addition to meeting the overall minimum total scores, each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses. For example, if the minimum TOEFL score for your program is 88, you would need to score 22 or higher in each of the sub-score categories (listening, reading, writing, speaking) to avoid any English language courses.
Our programs typically do not state a minimum GMAT score. A minimum GMAT score is not the only criterion for admission to the RIT business programs. In evaluating an application, the graduate admissions committee pays careful attention to each individual's undergraduate academic record, GMAT score, and personal statement.
Our programs typically do not state a minimum GRE score. A score range for admitted students is sometimes provided and certainly, will vary by program. Your GRE score is not the only criterion for admission. The admissions committee will consider each individual's academic record, personal statement and all other application credentials submitted along with the application. Not all graduate programs require the GRE for admission - Please refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for specific test score requirements.
Admissions decisions are not made solely on GRE or GMAT scores. The scores provide us with another measure of your academic ability, and also gives us a way to evaluate undergraduate preparation from schools with which we may not be familiar. The test score is just one of several possible assessments and is not a criterion by which we accept or reject applicants. The admissions committee will consider each individual's academic record, personal statement and all other application credentials submitted along with the application.
You may submit ONE application and request to be reviewed for 3 programs. When using our online application, you may select up to three program choices in order of preference. You will be reviewed for your first choice. If admitted, you will not be reviewed for additional program choices except by request. If not admitted to your first choice, your application will be reviewed for your other program choices, sequentially.
Yes. You may submit ONE application and request to be reviewed for 3 programs. When using our online application, you may select up to three program choices in order of preference. You will be reviewed for your first choice. If admitted, you will not be reviewed for additional program choices except by request. If not admitted to your first choice, your application will be reviewed for your other program choices, sequentially. If you wish to be considered for programs that are not listed as choices on your application, please submit any requests for additional review by sending an email to gradinfo@rit.edu. Please include your application number/reference ID.
Yes. Please submit any requests to change your application program choices by sending an email to gradinfo@rit.edu. Please include your application number/reference ID.
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. You will be able to enter information for your referees and submit an email request for letters through the online application. This is the preferred submission method by RIT Admissions Committee members. A letter that is sent directly to RIT and not viewed or sent to RIT by the applicant will be deemed to be more valid and trustworthy. Letters may also be emailed directly by referees to gradinfo@rit.edu or sent by postal mail to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services by the referees.
Typically, two or three 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. Review the Admissions Requirements section of your degree page for specific requirements.
Nine-digit student ID numbers are included in your admission letter. Admission letters are sent to applicants through your Application Portal.
When uploading your supporting documents to the online application, checklists are not automatically updated. All documents must first be verified by our office and then logged on our system, manually. During our peak periods, we receive hundreds of application documents each day, so it takes us a bit longer to update checklists. Please be patient and feel free to check with us by email or LIVE chat for an update.
RIT’s policy for transferring credit from a non-RIT university can be found in section II.B of the University Policies.
Costs and Financial Aid
We feel strongly that no qualified student should refuse to consider RIT because of cost. We offer a full range of traditional financial aid programs and a number of innovative financing plans. Each year, RIT provides more than $33 million in merit scholarships and graduate tuition remission to approximately 2,750 graduate students. For more information regarding financial support for graduate students, please refer to Tuition and Fees.
Information regarding tuition can be found on the Tuition and Fees page.
Graduate scholarships and assistantships are awarded to graduate students in most academic departments. Awards are based on academic excellence. The amount of the award varies by student and department. Both undergrad and grad students may also apply to work part-time on campus once they arrive at RIT. Most students work 10-20 hours per week and earn minimum wage.
No, a separate application is not required to be considered for assistantships or scholarships. Two questions on the Application for Admission allow you to indicate your desire to be considered for assistantships or scholarships.
Living On Campus
Rochester enjoys the beauty of the four seasons. It is usually warm and sunny from June through September, and snowy from November through March. Spring and fall are moderate in temperature. For more information on living in Rochester, visit http://www.visitrochester.com/.
On-campus housing is available for graduate students, however, most graduate students live off-campus. Visit the RIT Housing website for more details.
Most graduate students live off-campus. RIT’s campus housing offers many living options to meet the diverse needs, interests, and backgrounds of RIT students. Matriculated students MUST submit their admission deposit before they can apply for RIT housing.
Yes, you can.
We currently have 300 active clubs, 11 major student organizations, and 30 greek organizations on campus. RIT welcomes and embraces all of its unique, student-operated clubs and organizations. View a list of RIT clubs and organizations
Cooperative Education and Career Placement
RIT graduates find that their employment prospects are bright because career-related work experience is built into their academic programs. Work experience is gained through cooperative education, internships, and field experience. RIT attracts over 1,300 co-op employers nationwide and serves more than 2,600 RIT students each year. Learn more about the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education.
No, you are not placed into an internship, co-op, or practical training position, but rather you apply and go through the same hiring process you would when you look for a job after graduation. RIT’s Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education will help you in any way they can with your search.
General Questions About RIT
RIT continues to be ranked among the top universities by the most notable ranking agencies and organizations. For more detail, view our Rankings and Recognitions.
The main campus is about 1,300 acres, and includes 238 buildings spread over 5.3 million sq. ft. It is a coeducational, privately endowed Institute, enrolling nearly 20,000 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students preparing for technical and professional careers.
Yes, RIT is chartered by the legislature of the State of New York and accredited by the Commission on Higher Education, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and NY State Education Department, Office of College and University Education.
The student/faculty ratio is 13:1, and 91 percent of the classes have fewer than 40 students.
A state college is public and is primarily funded by the government therefore the cost to the student is lower. On the other hand, a private college is funded privately. RIT is a private university.
The RIT student body consists of over 2,600 international students from over 100 different countries. RIT students come from all backgrounds. RIT is also home to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the world's first and largest technological college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The presence of more than 1,200 deaf and hard-of-hearing students on campus adds a social dynamic not found at other colleges.
The 2021-2022 total included 12,838 male students and 6,880 female students.
Founded in 1829 as the Rochester Athenaeum, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has been a pioneer in career-oriented education and a leader in cooperative education since 1912.
Yes. To take a class at the graduate level on a non-matriculated status usually requires permission from the department. To take a class at the undergraduate level on a non-matriculated status usually requires completion of any pre-requisite OR a professor's approval. In both cases, you must wait for the matriculated students to register for classes and then it is open registration for any non-matriculated students. Please contact the Office of the Registrar. *This does NOT apply to international students who would require a visa. To obtain a visa, the applicant must already be admitted and enrolled in a full-time degree program.*
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In order to attend classes and to ensure a healthy student community, New York State Public Health Laws 2165 and 2167 and RIT mandate certain immunizations.
Specific information on immunizations related to COVID-19 can be found at Student Health Center Immunizations and on the RIT Ready website.
All incoming students born on or after January 1, 1957, and enrolled in six or more credit hours must:
- Provide valid proof of immunity against measles, mumps and rubella (in English)
- Read and sign the meningococcal receipt of information section of the immunization form in the RIT Wellness Portal
- Provide valid proof of meningococcal tetravalent vaccination (MCV-ACYW) on or after the student’s 16th birthday
New York State Law mandates that students will be dis-enrolled from classes if this information is not submitted within the allotted time.
Required immunizations need to be submitted no more than 30 days prior to the start of classes in order to avoid a delay in registration or interruption of classes for which you are enrolled. Contact the Student Health Center at (585) 475-2255 with questions. Additional information about immunizations and forms are available from the Student Health Center.