High School Awards Program

RIT is pleased to offer two award programs, the Computing Medal and Scholarship program, and the Innovation and Creativity Award and Scholarship program. These two programs recognize outstanding high school students for their leadership, service, and achievements in computing or creativity and innovation.

Each year, participating high schools may nominate one male and one female student for each of these two awards. Single-gender schools may nominate two students. All approved nominees will have their application fee waived and will receive a $32,000 scholarship ($8,000 annually) if they are admitted and enroll at RIT in the fall immediately following their graduation from high school. Note: Award recipients who qualify for an additional merit-based scholarship will be awarded the scholarship with the highest value.

Computing Medal and Scholarship Program

This program recognizes one male and one female from the junior class who:

• Are pursuing a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum,
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 or higher (4.0 scale), 93 or higher (100 point scale),
• Rank in the top 10 percent of their junior class (schools without an official rank should estimate rank and provide a copy of the student's transcripts),
• Are active and involved members of their school and/or community, and
• Have demonstrated an interest and ability in computing. Evidence of an interest and ability in computing may include:
  • Superior grades in computing-related classes
  • Completion of a school or community project that demonstrates high-level knowledge or experience in computing. For example, hardware construction, software development, Web page development, multimedia presentations, and computer graphics,
  • High-level use of computing in other areas such as business, science, math, art, design, film, animation, or photography.

Innovation and Creativity Award and Scholarship Program

This program recognizes one male and one female from the junior class who:

• Are pursuing a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum,
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 or higher (4.0 scale), 93 or higher (100 point scale),
• Rank in the top 10 percent of their junior class,
• Are active and involved citizens in their school and/or community,
• Demonstrate outstanding achievement in innovation, creativity, or entrepreneurship. Examples include:
  • Innovative use of technology in areas such as business, science, math, art, crafts, design, film, animation, or photography
  • Developing innovative solutions to problems such as starting their own business, innovative community service, or extensive involvement in activities related to sustainability and the environment
  • Creation of a new or unique project in art, crafts, design, film, animation, or photography using divergent thinking, imagination, and/or risk-taking