Summer Vestibule Program

Contact

MaryEllen Graham
Director, Summer Vestibule Program

ntidsvp@rit.edu
585-831-7225 (text)
585-286-1821 (text)

Congratulations on your decision to join us at RIT!

We look forward to welcoming you to campus in August.

Welcome Letter

NTID Welcome Guide

NTID Welcome Guide

The NTID Welcome Guide is your go‑to resource for getting started at RIT/NTID. The guide provides a clear overview of what to expect during the summer, key steps to complete before arriving on campus, and important dates to keep you on track.

The Summer Vestibule Program is required for all deaf and hard-of-hearing incoming first-year and transfer students who are entering into an associate degree program, associate+bachelor's degree program, pre-baccalaureate program, or in career exploration studies in the College of NTID.

During SVP you’ll:

  • Begin building relationships with other incoming deaf and hard-of-hearing students, faculty, and staff
  • Participate in interactive sessions, small group activities, and recreational events
  • Meet current deaf and hard-of-hearing RIT/NTID students

SVP Dates:

SVP for students admitted for the fall is scheduled for August 9- 22, 2026.

Move-in Day: Sunday, August 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.*
Check-in first at the Housing Office in Grace Watson Hall to pick up your keys.

* Please note that your move-in date may differ from others, depending on your orientation schedule and/or optional pre-orientation program.

SVP Cost:

The cost for attending the Summer Vestibule Program (SVP) is $1,500. Please note that this is in addition to the RIT Orientation fee. 

For international students, the cost for SVP is $3,000.

Things to Do Prior to SVP Orientation

Required items to complete:

Schedule 2026

Sunday, August 9
SVP Move-In Day!
Check-in first at the Housing Office in Grace Watson Hall to pick up your keys
9:00 am to 1:00 pm *

Monday, August 10
Parent & Family Orientation
Opening & Welcome Address
Introduction of Staff & Faculty
Introduction of Summer Vestibule Program Team
9:00 am to 10:00 am
Parent & Family Workshop
10:00 am to 10:30 am
Academic Affairs Panel + Q & A
10:45 am to 12:00 pm
Service Fair & Lunch
12:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Student Affairs Panel + Q & A
2:45 pm to 4:00 pm
Review of Student Expectations/Plan for Tuesday, August 11
4:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Lemonade Social
4:30 pm to 6:00 pm

* Schedule Subject to Change

* Students will receive their full SVP schedule upon arrival at SVP

FAQs

First complete these steps to get you started.

Then all students should complete the Virtual Orientation and complete the NTID Accepted Student Checklist. You will receive an email to set up a 1:1 meeting with the SVP director and she will review the accepted student checklist, explain the required placement testing, and set up a time for you to take the exams. It’s important that you check your RIT email each day because this is how we will be communicating with you.

The checklist items will help prepare you for your arrival on campus.

You will attend SVP if you are a freshman or transfer student who has been accepted into:

  • An associate degree program
  • An associate+bachelor’s degree program
  • A pre-baccalaureate program
  • Career exploration studies program

You will attend RIT’s New Student Orientation if you have been accepted into a bachelor’s degree program.

If you have any questions, please email mkgvsp@rit.edu or ntidsvp@rit.edu.

Yes, attending orientation is required! College is an amazing journey, but we want to make sure you have the information you need BEFORE starting your first semester. We want to ensure that you’re connected to the appropriate people, so you’re not overwhelmed with the information that’s out there.

Transfer students who are entering into an associate degree program, associate+bachelor's degree program, pre-baccalaureate program, or in career exploration studies in the College of NTID are required to attend SVP. We want to make sure you’re aware of all of the resources RIT/NTID has to offer and get connected with faculty/staff, so you'll be off to a great start when the academic year begins. Plus, use this time to meet other students and make new friends!

You must attend orientation even if you are a commuter student.

We are planning a fabulous program for you! A detailed schedule will be provided to you upon arrival at SVP.

 

You will have Dining Dollars loaded onto your RIT ID card each semester. You eat on campus and swipe your ID card to “pay” for your meals. Make sure you budget your dollars to last you through the semester. If you run out, you can add money to your account.

For more detailed information about your dining options on campus, please visit https://www.rit.edu/fa/diningservices

We encourage you to reach out to the RIT Financial Aid office for assistance.

If you have Vocational Rehabilitation questions, contact Denise Hampton.

Check out this video on VR that may be helpful for you:

VR: https://youtu.be/yjhKn3fXhTM

Yes, your VR counselor should be aware that SVP is a required program. SVP is a mandatory program for first-year and transfer deaf and hard-of-hearing students entering an associate degree program, an associate+bachelor’s degree program, a pre-baccalaureate program, or career exploration studies program in the College of NTID. The program fee is $1,500. VR service providers nationwide are provided with a cost packet to ensure they are informed of RIT/NTID tuition, fees, and program expenses. You may share this documentation with them if they did not receive it.