Early Decision

If RIT is your 1st choice college, apply Early Decision to bring some certainty to your plans.

Why Apply Early Decision?

Get notified sooner in the admissions process

You’ll be notified in advance of Regular Decision applicants. While Early Decision is binding, students hear about their decision and get the necessary information about affordability, prior to making a final commitment to RIT.

Receive early notification of your merit and financial aid award

Have all the facts before you make your college decision. You’ll have merit scholarship and financial aid information from RIT before submitting your enrollment deposit.

Stand out from the crowd

Admission acceptance rates tend to be higher in Early Decision since there is a smaller pool of applicants

Change your mind? Our early decision plans are friendly.

If you apply for Early Decision and determine we are not affordable, you can request to be moved from the Early Decision plan.

Start Your Application

Early Decision Application Deadlines

Early Decision I

Application Deadline: November 1
Recommended FAFSA Submission Deadline: November 1
Decision Notification: Mid-December
Deposit Deadline: January 15

Early Decision II

Application Deadline: January 1
Recommended FAFSA Submission Deadline: January 1
Decision Notification: Mid-January
Deposit Deadline: February 15

"I was confident in identifying RIT as my first-choice college. I was attracted to the sense of community and a culture that accepts everyone for who they are. I was sold on the amazing co-op opportunities; having a place where I could continue to develop my interests in art, coding, and robotics; and the reduced tuition for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

I didn’t consider Early Decision until I met with my admissions counselor, and I’m so glad I took her advice. Once I got my Early Decision acceptance, I felt a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I enjoyed the rest of my senior year a lot more knowing that I didn’t have to worry about where I’d be going to college.

I’m so glad I applied Early Decision. I’ve had the opportunity to meet more deaf people than I have in my entire life, and because of the access services I get I can follow and understand what’s being said in the classroom. It’s been such a positive experience."

Cleo Cheng
Human-Centered Computing

Our Early Decision Policy

Early Decision plans differ from school to school so it is important to understand the differences before you make a decision on how to apply.

Our early decision plans are “friendly”

While they are binding, you can change your application from Early Decision to Regular Decision or vice versa. For example, if your top choice school changes, you can change which applicant pool at RIT you’d like to be considered for.

You’re automatically considered for merit-based aid

Admitted Early Decision applicants will automatically be reviewed for merit-based scholarships and those who file a FAFSA, will be reviewed for need-based financial aid prior to the enrollment deposit deadline.

Your family is encouraged to work with your assigned Financial Aid Counselor to assist you through the financial aid process. If you and your family determine that RIT is not an affordable choice, you should contact the RIT/NTID Admissions Office so you may be released from the Early Decision plan.

Upon committing to RIT, you’ll need to withdraw other applications

Once you decide to accept RIT’s offer of admission, you should submit your $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit on or before the deadline to confirm your intention to enroll. At this time, you will be expected to withdraw your applications with all other colleges/universities.

If you’re not accepted through Early Decision or to your first choice program, there are other options

If you are not accepted through Early Decision, in most cases, you will be asked to submit mid-year senior grades and will be reviewed a second time with applicants in the Regular Decision plan. Early Decision applicants who are accepted to an alternate (second or third-choice) program of study may request to be released from the conditions of Early Decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I applied Regular Decision, can I switch to Early Decision?

You may switch from Regular Decision to Early Decision as long as the deadline for the early decision plan you intend to switch to has not passed.

What is the difference between Early Decision I and Early Decision II?

While the timelines to apply and commit are different, the other benefits and policies are the same. Early Decision II applicants typically select this option because they discover RIT is their top choice university after the November 1 deadline for Early Decision I has passed.

If I apply Early Decision, when will I receive my admissions decision?

Early Decision I applicants are notified by mid-December. Early Decision II applicants are notified by mid-January.