RIT/NTID Freshman Undergraduate Application

Apply to RIT

We give every application comprehensive consideration and seek diverse applicants who demonstrate character, resilience, and problem-solving skills.

For Fall 2024, RIT is Test Optional.
Learn more about what this means for your application >

Ways to Apply


Statement on Ethical and Fair Admissions Practices
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions continues to put students first in the admissions process. We continue to use fair and ethical practices as we recruit, review applications and counsel our prospective students and their families. Our admissions officers support and promote ethical responsibility with our colleagues in the admission profession.

Manage Application

Whichever method you choose to apply, we invite you to create an RIT Admissions account to monitor your application, track the status of your application credentials, receive your admissions decision, and more.

Application Timeline

You may submit your application starting on August 1. Spring Semester or Summer Term applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

If RIT is your first choice school, there are many benefits to applying with one of our Friendly Early Decision plans. They come in many different forms and are designed to be flexible. Learn more about Friendly Early Decision Benefits >

Timeline

Early Decision I Early Decision II Regular Decision
Application Deadline November 1st January 1st January 15th
Early Decision Financial Aid Estimate Application Recommended Deadline November 1st January 1st Not Applicable
Recommended FAFSA Submission Recommended Deadline March 1st March 1st January 15th
Decision Notification Mid-December Mid-January Mid-March
$500 Deposit Deadline - Pay Deposit January 15th February 15th May 1st

Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis.

Early Decision

Graphic text that says Why wait? Act sooner. Know earlier.

Is RIT your 1st choice school?

Consider one of RIT's Friendly Early Decision Plans. You will receive an Admissions decision and Financial Aid estimate earlier than other applicants.

Early Decision I Application Deadline: November 1
Early Decision II Application Deadline: January 1

Learn more about Early Decision

Academic Preparation and Requirements

Most deaf and hard-of-hearing students applying to RIT choose a specific major as part of the admission process. In addition, all colleges offer exploration programs if you're unsure which major best fits your career goals. Given the variety of majors, admission requirements and entrance exam score ranges will vary from one major to another.

Learn more about the variety of academic opportunities available to deaf and hard-of-hearing students at RIT.

Most students applying to RIT choose a specific major as part of the admission process. In addition, undecided career exploration programs are available to explore major options, and the School of Individualized Study can help you design a major around your interests if they don’t fit into a single degree program or college. Given the variety of majors, admission requirements and entrance exam score ranges will vary from one major to another.

Degree Specific Admissions Requirements (including SAT and ACT mid 50% range)

Application Checklist

Use the list below to make sure you don't miss a step!

 

Admission to RIT is competitive, but our admission process is a personal one. Each application is reviewed holistically for strength of academic preparation, performance on standardized tests, counselor recommendations, and your personal career interests. We seek applicants from a variety of geographic, social, cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.

Instructions on how to submit your $65 fee are included with your application. Visit the RIT campus or attend an RIT summer camp and your application fee will be waived.

All applicants must submit a high school transcript showing academic work through the junior year and senior year courses. First quarter/semester senior year grades are highly recommended. Contact your high school guidance office and ask your counselor to send an official high school transcript to: Rochester Institute of Technology, NTID Office of Admissions, 52 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623. Transcripts are acceptable if they are faxed, but must include a cover sheet that clearly shows that it came directly from the high school. Transcripts can be faxed to 585-475-2696. An electronic high school transcript will be accepted if it is sent through Parchment Exchange or the Common Application.

Provide official or self-reported test results from the SAT or ACT.

For Fall 2023 and beyond: RIT is "Test Optional" for all undergraduate programs. Applicants may choose whether to report test scores to be considered with their application. SAT/ACT score results will be required for consideration in the RIT/SUNY Upstate Medical University Accelerated Scholars Program.

If you choose to send scores, you can send scores in the following ways:

  • On your application for admission
  • Via email to NTIDadmissions@rit.edu
  • From your school/college counselor via mail or email

If you plan to submit official test scores directly to RIT from the SAT or ACT Testing Centers, please use college code 2760 (SAT) or 2870 (ACT). Students who complete the ACT may submit scores with or without the optional writing section. To send scores from the testing centers, please use www.collegeboard.org for the SAT, and use www.ACT.org for the ACT.

RIT reviews its applicant pool using a holistic review process. Each applicant is reviewed individually taking all classes, rigor of high school coursework, grade point average, rank, final exams, portfolio, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and many other factors into the final decision on admission to their RIT major. For those not submitting scores, our admissions officers will consider with increased weighting on their “additional information”, looking for important qualities and characteristics along with academic and personal accomplishments.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants need to submit one recommendation. Ask the individual writing the letter to complete the recommendation section on the secondary school transcript request form in the RIT Undergraduate Application. Or, if you prefer, the letter can be sent separately on an official letterhead. The author of the letter should be someone who is familiar with your work in school, for example, a school counselor, a teacher or a coach.

The personal essay helps us to become acquainted with you as a person and student, apart from courses, grades, test scores and other objective data. It will also demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself. The essay questions are included in the application.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants, including those with cochlear implants, need to submit an audiogram as part of the application process. The audiogram should include all hearing test results and etiology, along with the requisite provider signature. Uploaded files should be in PDF format, and we cannot accept photographed copies. Audiograms can also emailed to NTIDAdmissions@rit.edu or faxed to 585-475-2696.

Every deaf and hard-of-hearing student is an RIT student. Some study in associate degree programs within the College of NTID at RIT and some in bachelor's degree programs at one of RIT's eight other colleges. In all cases, RIT/NTID receives funding from the federal government for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. An audiogram is needed to determine eligibility for the reduced tuition rate. The audiogram has no role in determining academic admissibility.

If you are applying for a bachelor-level degree program in the School of Art, School of Design, and School of Film and Animation, a portfolio is required.

Test Optional Information

For Fall 2024, RIT will be "Test Optional". This means submitting SAT or ACT scores as part of your application is not required. You can choose whether or not you'd like to submit them. It's entirely up to you! On the Common App or RIT Application, you'll have the option to include test scores. If you do not include them as part of your application, RIT will not see your scores (even if you've taken a test). 

Wondering how RIT will make admissions decisions without requiring test scores?

RIT will continue to review applications with a holistic approach, taking all of the applicant’s credentials into account.  For applicants requesting to be reviewed without test scores, the admissions committee will continue to look at all factors of a student's application including grades earned in academic coursework; performance in honors, IB/AP courses; regents coursework and exams (for NYS residents), essay/personal statement; letters or recommendation, involvement in activities; and other achievements, along with a portfolio for those students applying to one of RIT’s BFA degrees in the Schools of Art & Design and Film & Animation. In the absence test scores, more weight will be placed upon the overall grade performance and other items mentioned above.

*SAT/ACT score results will be required for consideration in the RIT/SUNY Upstate Medical University Accelerated Scholars Program. The deadline to apply is November 15.

Contact Admissions


If you have questions regarding your application, we're here to help.


585-475-6700 (voice)
866-644-6843 (toll free in the U.S. and Canada)
585-743-1366 (videophone)