The Right Fit

I used to attend a mainstream school when I was young until my father found out about deaf schools and made the decision to transfer me to a school for the deaf. It was there that I began to become outgoing, but it was at RIT that I became a social butterfly. I chose RIT because I knew I wanted a school where I could be successful and be myself. RIT is known for technology and innovation, and also creativity, art, and design. This was the perfect place for me as a graphic design major. The best things about RIT are the experiences and opportunities I get. I am involved with the Asian Deaf Club, Explore Your Future summer program, Alpha Xi Delta sorority, and Doves Club. I also like the hands-on experiences I get through RIT’s cooperative education. My co-op as a social media assistant will translate directly to helping me find a job after I graduate.

As a Deaf person, accessibility to communication and being with other students like me were the key factors why I chose RIT. Having access to captioning, notetaking, and interpreting services has been instrumental to my academic success. Very few universities provide the range of accommodations that RIT offers. Also, being in a community that is aware and accepting of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and who share common goals of academic achievement was important to me. Here I can surround myself with like-minded people who give me a sense of belonging and inspire me to do my best.

I attended a school for the deaf and had a great high school experience. I was outgoing and participated in many school activities. I knew to be successful in college I needed to find a place where I would be comfortable and accepted. That’s what I found at RIT/NTID. It’s a diverse community and I found many other people just like me. I don’t feel out of place here, and the resources available for deaf and hard-of-hearing students are helping me to successfully navigate through college and prepare for my career. I’m a social media specialist with the NTID Student Life Team, a lab assistant in the NTID Business Studies Department, and a member of the Ebony Club. RIT/NTID is unique, and there is no place like it in the world.

I grew up in a hearing family. I was mainstreamed in a private high school, and was the only deaf student in my whole district. I wouldn’t say that I am shy, but because of my deafness I was more isolated in high school. I’d only hang out with a few people at a time instead of large groups because it was easier for me to communicate.
 
The highlight of my high school years was attending events for deaf students, including RIT/NTID’s EYF summer program. Making friends at these events was easy because I could relate to them in many ways that I couldn’t relate to my hearing friends in high school.
 
When searching for a college I had two non-negotiables, a college with a large Deaf community and ease to access services. I didn’t want to have to fight for access in college like I did in high school. RIT/NTID fulfilled both of my requirements, plus I’m surrounded by a hearing community who accepts me.
 
RIT/NTID truly is one of a kind, and there’s no other place like it on Earth. Everything we need as a deaf or hard-of-hearing person is here, and I feel like I am home.

After attending RIT’s Explore Your Future summer camp program, I realized RIT was perfect for me. I met friends so easily and had communication access. These were important factors to me when choosing a college. As a student here I feel comfortable and prepared for success with the resources RIT has for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. My teachers, professors, and peers are always supporting me and giving me opportunities to understand and learn. At RIT, I have found the perfect place for me—my own community where I can fit in and be myself.

Given the immense pressure to go to a “top-tier” school, applying to college was incredibly stressful. I applied to 14 colleges, but when I set foot on RIT’s campus I immediately felt at home. I’d never seen so many deaf people in my life. 

Growing up isolated in an oral mainstream environment, I never realized that deafness wasn’t an “impairment,” nor did I realize that the Deaf community existed. After visiting RIT, I realized how badly I wanted to learn sign language and be part of a culture that celebrated my deafness without forcing me to wear hearing aids.

At RIT, I am blown away by the computing program, the amenities, the affordability, the dedicated support services, and the inclusive community. The access services I get here are unparalleled, and it’s amazing to be at a place where I belong and am valued as part of the community. 

I grew up attending a school for the deaf since elementary school, so I knew RIT/NTID would be a good fit for me. I wanted a large Deaf community so I could continue to connect with other students like me, top-notch access services, and a college that was affordable. I fit in perfectly at RIT. The college has so many opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and I’ve met many of my lifelong friends here. I could not imagine being anywhere else. I know I will be ready for a job when I graduate because RIT is preparing me well.

As a hard-of-hearing student, it was important that the college I attend had the access services I needed to succeed in my major. Since I was mainstreamed growing up, I also was interested in engaging in a community with other hard-of-hearing students, and having the opportunity to take ASL classes. I found this at RIT. 

RIT has allowed me to flourish much more than any other college would have. While other colleges say they have access services in place, nothing compares to the breadth of access and support services offered at RIT. I am able to participate fully in and out of the classroom, and the acceptance I get here is second to none. The community you’ll find here is diverse, supportive, and inclusive.  No matter how strongly you identify with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community or how you identify yourself on that spectrum, there are other students like you at RIT. 

I chose RIT because it offered something different than the other colleges I looked at. More than 1,000 deaf and hard-of-hearing students attend RIT, and that intrigued me. There weren’t many deaf people where I grew up, so the opportunity to immerse myself into a Deaf community strongly influenced my decision to apply to RIT. The college also provided the access services I needed, so I knew I could be successful in my major. RIT has been the perfect fit. I love the sense of community and shared understanding no matter your background or how you communicate.

Since I grew up mainstreamed, I was used to being the only deaf or hard-of-hearing individual in my school. All my life I felt like I didn’t belong. I told myself that I could never be fully involved in either the deaf or the hearing community because I lacked the signing skills and the hearing capabilities. That all changed when I enrolled at RIT. I have the ability here to immerse myself in both communities. Now, I finally feel like I belong. I realize it is possible to be a part of both communities. I truly feel like RIT provides students with the best of both worlds. There are so many people at RIT who I can relate to, and I’m making professional and personal connections that seemed unimaginable to me just a few years ago.

I went to a mainstream school and was the only deaf student with a sign language interpreter. I was quiet for the most part, but I would be more outgoing and social with my group of friends. When I started looking for colleges, I did as much research as possible, and took what previous students said into consideration. I chose RIT for four reasons: accessibility, location of the campus, good education, and safety. The accessibility at RIT is unbelievable. It is deaf-friendly, and all types of communication are welcome here. Diversity is embraced here, and I fit right in and got involved right away. I play on the RIT women’s basketball team, and participate in most events that the sports teams put together.

I am fluent in ASL and identify myself as Deaf. When I was searching for a college I wanted someplace where I could feel a sense of belonging. I attended a school for the deaf for high school, but I knew that the real world would be very different from what I was accustomed to growing up. I chose RIT because it bridges the deaf world to the hearing world and I could experience both worlds. RIT has a vibrant and diverse Deaf community, and amazing opportunities in terms of academics, post-college employment, and extracurriculars. I can connect with the Deaf community and explore new things at the same time. I have a mixture of both deaf and hearing friends for which I am grateful. My confidence has increased and now I feel comfortable approaching anyone regardless of communication modes. I’m actively involved with student government, intramurals, Greek life, and many clubs. RIT has been the perfect place for my personal growth and career preparation.