• Prepare Your Student
  • Move-In Appointment Times
  • Academic Requirements 
  • Off-Campus and Commuter Students
• Today’s Parent Tips
  • Health Resources
  • Packing Lists
  • Fridges and Microwaves
• Ask Your Student About...

Move-In Appointment Times
All new students living on campus are required to select a move-in appointment time prior to arriving on campus. Students will receive an email on Friday, June 30 with instructions on how to select their move-in appointment.

Move-In will take place during Welcome Days: 

• Sunday, Aug. 20, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Monday, Aug. 21, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. 

Please visit the RIT Housing website for more information about Move-In. As a reminder, family programming will take place on your student's Welcome Day. We offer identical programming on each Welcome Day so everyone receives the same experience. 

Academic Requirements
As a reminder, students' first-semester class schedules will be built by their academic advisor in early August. In order to do so, students need to complete all necessary academic items on the New Student Checklist by Friday, June 30.

• Send official transcripts and test scores to RIT
• Take the Math Placement Exam (if applicable)
• Take the Language Placement Exam (if applicable)
• Complete the College Survey (incoming first-year students only)

Students will have an opportunity to meet their primary academic advisor to discuss any questions or concerns they have about their schedules during Academic Day at Orientation.

Off-Campus and Commuter Students
Even if your student is not living in an on-campus residence during their first year, starting at RIT will still be a transition for your family. Here are some tips to pass along to your commuter student on how to prepare:

• Know the best route to campus—and alternates! It may be a familiar drive, but make sure you know what traffic will be like during the time you are heading to class. If you will be taking the bus, familiarize yourself with the bus schedule, including alternative routes.
• Register your vehicle and purchase a parking permit through the MyParking Portal. This is required for all vehicles that will be parked on campus. Learn more about commuter parking permits on the Parking and Transportation website.
• Consider getting a commuter meal plan for those long days on campus.
• Check out the RIT Off-Campus Commuter Services website and learn about the support resources available to commuter students on campus. 

Commuter students will participate in RIT Orientation. There is not a separate orientation for off-campus and commuter students. All students will check into Orientation during Welcome Days (Aug. 20 or Aug. 21) and attend the Resources Fair and other informational sessions.

Health Resources
RIT has many resources to help our students be healthy. It is important, however, to understand the scope of care RIT provides in order to ensure that all students find the care they need on or off campus. 

• The Student Health Center provides primary and urgent care services for all RIT students. For chronic health needs and conditions that are beyond the Student Health Center’s scope of practice, students should work with a primary care provider from home or a specialist in the Rochester community.
• Counseling and Psychological Services mental health providers understand the complexities of student life and support students’ mental health needs through short-term, goal-focused individual therapy, group therapy, and crisis support in an open, safe, and confidential environment. Students who are currently, regularly seeing a professional for counseling or need long-term or specialized treatment should continue treatment with their provider or connect with our Case Management team for off-campus options.
• NTID Counseling and Academic Advising Services counselors provide personal, social, career and academic counseling services to all deaf and hard-of-hearing students at RIT.
• Case Management is available to assist students in connecting to resources on and off campus, as well as helping students navigate complex personal problems such as insurance, hospitalizations, financial issues, and housing/food insecurity.

Packing Lists
What to bring checklists are available as you help your student prepare for life at RIT:

• What to bring: Residence Halls
• What to bring: RIT Inn

Be sure they pack required forms of identification—students are required to provide a photo ID to obtain a bank account, University ID Card, and Employment Eligibility Card.

While it’s good to prepare early, don’t panic if you don’t have everything your student needs right away! Not only is there a lot of retail just down the road from RIT for last-minute shopping, but students will have opportunities during Orientation to pick up needed items.

Fridges and Microwaves
A micro-fridge (microwave/refrigerator/freezer) will be provided in all residence hall and RIT Inn rooms to allow students to prepare and warm their food. Students are not allowed to bring their own refrigerators.