Parent Polls

Current Poll

Will or did your student attend the Spring Career Fair on March 6, 2024?

  • Yes 40%
  • No 45%
  • I don't know 15%

Previous Polls

What is the most important thing your student looks for in an RIT education?

  • Acquisition of real-world marketable skills 61%
  • A first-rate academic experience 25%
  • Affordability 2%
  • A safe environment to learn and grow 7%
  • Opportunities to engage outside the classroom 4%

What is your student most looking forward to in spring semester?

  • Getting back to classes 36%
  • Seeing friends 33%
  • Starting a new co-op or on-campus job 10%
  • Studying abroad 1%
  • A club, sport, or activity 13%
  • Spring events (e.g., FreezeFest, Imagine RIT, Commencement) 6%

What most helped your student choose RIT?

  • Touring campus 47%
  • Attending events/open houses 29%
  • Connecting with current students 6%
  • Connecting with faculty/staff 7%
  • Reading about RIT's academic and social scene 12%

What topic is most difficult for you to discuss with your student?

  • Academics 6%
  • Finances 8%
  • Career/Co-op 6%
  • Romantic relationships 48%
  • Mental health/wellness 19%
  • Future plans 14%

Where does most of your student’s spending money (for non-academic expenses) come from?

  • I provide it 20%
  • They save from a summer job 46%
  • They work during the academic year 23%
  • Gifts and savings 11%
  • I don't know 0%

Does your student have a job?

  • Yes, on campus 27%
  • Yes, off campus 11%
  • Yes, both on and off campus 4%
  • No, but they are looking 18%
  • No, my student doesn't work during the semester 40%

What makes RIT unique to your family?

  • Academic reputation 28%
  • Co-op experience 54%
  • Involvement opportunities 4%
  • Location 4%
  • School spirit 1%
  • Size and diversity 4%
  • NTID 4%

What is the primary thing you look for when visiting the RIT parent website?

  • Communications and/or contact information 25%
  • Information on health and safety on-campus 1%
  • Campus event information 29%
  • Resources to support my student’s academic or social life 34%
  • The Parent Poll 10%

How will your student spend the summer?

  • Working a summer job or co-op/internship 76%
  • Taking classes 5%
  • Studying abroad/traveling 4%
  • Relaxing 11%
  • Other 5%

What is the primary reason your student chose RIT?

  • Academic program 60%
  • Co-op experience 26%
  • Involvement opportunities 1%
  • Athletics 1%
  • The community or feel 9%
  • Proximity to home 2%

What does your student primarily do for self-care?

  • Spend time with friends 33%
  • Exercise 23%
  • Do yoga or meditate 0%
  • Cook 4%
  • Work on a hobby 12%
  • Play video games 28%

What is the most important thing a student should do to prepare for the upcoming Career Fair?

  • Write/revise their resume 39%
  • Write/revise their cover letter 1%
  • Meet with their career service coordinator 29%
  • Practice their elevator pitch 27%
  • Iron their dress clothes 4%

Has your student joined a club or organization?

  • Yes, several 17%
  • Yes, one or two 55%
  • No 24%
  • I don't know 4%

What is your student most looking forward to in spring semester?

  • Getting back to classes 36%
  • Seeing friends 35%
  • Starting a new co-op or on-campus job 10%
  • Studying abroad 1%
  • A club, sport, or activity 11%
  • Spring events (e.g., FreezeFest, Imagine RIT, Commencement) 6%

When your student has academic concerns, who is typically their first point of contact?

  • Academic advisor 20%
  • Classmate/friend 11%
  • Parent 19%
  • Professor 31%
  • Other RIT staff/office 0%
  • I don't know 19%

How important is it to you that your student engage with a religious/spiritual community?

  • Very important 13%
  • Somewhat important 29%
  • Not at all important 57%

What do you like to do when you visit RIT?

  • Hang out on campus 15%
  • Grab a meal in Henrietta 21%
  • Grab a meal in Rochester 22%
  • Run errands with my student 31%
  • Visit a Rochester museum/attraction 10%

Has you student granted you third-party access on eServices?

  • Yes, and I use it 72%
  • Yes, but I never use it 16%
  • No, I use my student's personal log-in to find information 3%
  • No, it's my student's responsibility to handle their account 9%

What is your biggest concern regarding your student’s upcoming year at RIT?

  • Academics 12%
  • Career/co-op planning 23%
  • Finances 9%
  • Involvement opportunities 7%
  • Mental health/wellness 20%
  • Physical health 3%
  • Roommate or housing issue 5%
  • Safety 2%
  • Time management/study skills 19%

Would you be supportive of your student joining a fraternity or sorority during their time at RIT?

  • Yes 33%
  • No 33%
  • Unsure, I need more information 28%
  • My student is already involved in a fraternity or sorority 6%

During this academic year, on what topic did you personally contact RIT?

  • Academics 4%
  • Billing 16%
  • Career/co-op planning 2%
  • Financial aid 19%
  • Involvement opportunities 1%
  • Mental health/wellness 3%
  • Physical health 2%
  • Roommate or housing concern 5%
  • Safety 0%
  • Time management/study skills 1%
  • I did not contact RIT 47%

How likely do you think it is that your student will live at home, at least for a while, after graduation?

  • I'm sure of it 10%
  • Very likely 22%
  • Somewhat likely 47%
  • Not a chance 21%

For what life skill does your student currently need the most guidance?

  • Cooking 12%
  • Financial management 18%
  • Health/wellness management 11%
  • Home maintenance 10%
  • Organizational skills 7%
  • Relationship/social skills 20%
  • Street smarts 12%
  • Time management 10%

How important is it to you that your student gets volunteer or service experience while in college?

  • Very important 29%
  • Somewhat important 48%
  • Not at all important 23%