RIT/NTID Interpreting Application
How to Apply
Interpreting Students
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 Your Application
With an RIT admissions account, you can monitor your application, submit a portfolio (if required), apply for the Performing Arts Scholarship, receive your admissions decision, and more.
If you need to change your submitted application, do not submit a new application. Please email ntidadmissions@rit.edu with your request (e.g. change academic program choices, switch to Early Decision, change your term, withdraw application, etc).
Application Timeline
You may submit your application starting on August 1.
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 1 | January 1 | January 15 |
| RIT's Financial Aid Application Recommended Deadline | November 1 | January 7 | As soon as possible |
| FAFSA Submission Recommended Deadline | March 1 | March 1 | As soon as possible |
| Decision Notification | Mid-December | Mid-January | Mid-March |
| $500 Deposit Deadline - Pay Deposit | January 15 | February 15 | May 1 |
Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
Early Decision
Is RIT your 1st choice school?
Consider one of RIT's Friendly Early Decision Plans, so you receive Admissions and Financial Aid decisions earlier than other applicants. Our Friendly Early Decision plans are different than many other schools, offering special benefits to students who know what they want to do and what they need to get there.
Early Decision I Application Deadline: November 1
Early Decision II Application Deadline: January 1
Academic Preparation and Requirements
To become an interpreter, students must develop competency in both English and ASL. The more adept students become in the grammar and the linguistic structure the more comfortable they will be at interpreting.
To succeed in this program, students need to commit to spending significant time outside of class to record videos, meet with deaf people for feedback, and immerse themselves in ASL and Deaf culture by attending community events.
Students interested in pursuing ASL-English interpreting as a career should take into consideration this additional aspect of time commitment before applying to the program.
Other skills needed to be a successful interpreter:
- A solid foundation in spoken and written English
- Basic computer skills
- Ability to clearly hear the speech of another person (even if the person is behind you or the speech is recorded, and you are listening through headphones)
- Ability to speak clearly, so others can understand
- Ability to concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task over a period of time
- An interest in different cultures
- An interest in working with people
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.
Application Checklist for students in the American Sign Language-English Interpretation program:
Test Optional Information
For Fall 2024, RIT is "Test Optional". This means that you can decide whether you would like SAT or ACT scores to be considered as part of your application. It's entirely up to you! On the Common Application 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. In the absence of test scores, more weight will be placed upon the overall grade performance and other items mentioned above.