Fall 2025 - UG - TR - New Student Newsletter 2 - May 27, 2025

Your experience as a transfer student means you're bringing a dynamic blend of academic insights and proven abilities to RIT, ready to contribute to our vibrant learning community.

An aerial view shows a common area with brick floors and bright lime green modular sofas. Several students are seated on the sofas, mostly using laptops. A person walks on the left, looking at a phone. To the right, a large digital display is visible.

It's normal to feel a bit nervous about your transition, but remember you're not alone. Resources and support are readily available; your success depends on actively engaging with them and making connections. Don't be afraid to ask–help is always available.

Hot topic: How do I get my fall course schedule?

If you haven't already received your first-semester course schedule, don't worry - your primary academic advisor will create it for you. You can expect to view your schedule, which is designed to fill general education and program requirements, in our Student Information System (SIS) by early August.

To build your first-semester schedule, your primary academic advisor will need you to complete all necessary academic items on the New Student Checklist by Monday, June 30.

If your primary academic advisor has questions related to planning and placement for fall courses, they will contact you. Please check your RIT email regularly, as communications may be time-sensitive.

Who's Who: Your Primary Academic Advisor

Your primary academic advisor is here to be a key partner in your success, helping you navigate your unique academic background and make informed decisions about your academic path, from course selection to understanding graduation requirements. Your advisor will reach out if they need anything from you this summer; otherwise, look forward to meeting them in August!

Review the academic calendar now to set yourself up for success this fall. It's more than just a list of dates; it's a valuable resource for planning ahead. Knowing when classes begin (Monday, August 25), when breaks occur, and when finals are scheduled helps you manage your time proactively and stay organized throughout the semester.

Check out the RIT academic calendar >

Course Materials and Computer Recommendations

Course Materials

We recommend waiting to purchase course materials until early August when your preliminary course schedule is available.

When it’s time to order, we’ve teamed up with a trusted vendor to help you get your books at the lowest possible price. You can order everything online, and it will be shipped straight to your desired mailing address.

Computer Recommendations

Physics students are successful with a wide array of laptops, but there are certainly laptop features that you should consider before purchasing a new computer. To help you make your decision, please review our recommendations. These are suggestions, not requirements, but we hope this information will help guide you through your options.

A close-up shot shows a person's hands typing on a silver laptop keyboard. The person's forearms, clad in a red long-sleeved shirt, are visible as their fingers rest over the black keys of the laptop.

If you have any questions about technology or the RIT Physics program, please reach out to Becky Day.

While you will want to wait until your first-semester course schedule is available (early August) to purchase course materials through our online bookstore, you can begin purchasing computer equipment now.

View computer recommendations by college >

Computers can be purchased directly from the RIT Campus Store, an Apple® Authorized Campus Store that offers education pricing with savings of up to $200. Dell PCs, software, photo equipment, and computer accessories are also available. Shop online or visit the Campus Store.