The Rochester Institute of Technology

What I have to say about RIT is it is NOT a place to go if you aren't sure of what you want to do. The trimester system makes transfering in, like I did, and out, like I'm going to do, tricky as well. They do have decent/good CS, Engineering and Design schools, but for everything else I recommend a cheaper school (I'm trying to transfer to a SUNY school myself right now for Liberal Arts - Math).

Techinical School is a very good word for this school. Lots of classes are alot of busywork and just teach skills, theres not that much freedom to it. I wanted to explore, be creative, but RIT teaches how to work certain programs or do certain problems. Its not a well-rounded education, its teaching you a job, but if you have a passion for this job, or just want something that makes you money, I think you will be better off than I was.

Socially it really is what you make of it, though I would say its a little harder to "make of it" than most schools (place is a bit of a spirit killer).

Its too expensive, I don't mind the food, and housing is annoying.I really can't badmouth it that much because it just isn't the place for me, but the most important thing to remember (so much so that I have to say it twice): This school isn't about finding yourself, it isn't about being well-rounded, its about following what you really want to do, and if you're sure of it, than I say go for it, though I would look at RPI as well if I were you.

1st Year Male -- Class 2008

Campus Maintenance: A-, Innovation: D

I was a freshman at RIT in the ad. photo program this year, and just took a leave of absence, most likely for good. There were a lot of different reasons as to why i didnt finish out the school year, but basically i was miserable and was planning on leaving after this quarter ended.

rit isnt a party campus. for me that was alright at first, but after the first few weeks you'll find yourself asking "now what?". 90% of the students there are some type of computer or engineering major, so they all like to sit in their rooms and play dungeons and dragons or world of warcraft... like, to the point where ive walked in on strategy meetings in some of the lounges and was kicked out incase i was a spy... yeahhh.... so for the other 10% there really isnt a whole lot to do, which is why they go and get high out in the woods or apartment buildings. don't get me wrong, i have friends that like to smoke and theyre a lot of fun to hang out with, but thats not my scene every night of the week.

this school is also known for the amount of stress the students face, mostly because of the quarter system and how the course work is so condensed. this is prolly one of the biggest reasons as to why there is a good amount of drugs at the school, but also a fair suicidal rate. the night i came home i got a phone call at 1 in the morning about a possibly armed suicidal student who was tasered in front of my old dorm building. not cool. the school isnt going to go out and tell you about these kinds of things, but its in the fine print when they tell you the students are usually under a lot of pressure.

another thing that they try to make seem all wonderful and perfect is NTID (school for the deaf and hearing impared). i think it's great that these resources are offered to people who have trouble hearing, but to say that the campus isnt segregated is completely not true. my first dorm room in the first quarter was on a hearing/deaf floor. there was nothing going on and so it was hard to meet people, or i would hear loud noises and crashes at 3 in the morning from the deaf neighbors who didnt know they were being really loud. also, for the most part the deaf students dont really try to socialize with the hearing students after awhile because they get impatient with the communication barrier.

i moved to photo house after my first quarter because of the lack of social life, trying to give rit another chance in that matter, and it was a great choice. photo house has its issues with some drama, but hey, we're artists what do you expect? i loved how most of us had the same classes and could learn from each other and help with projects. what i realized though was that after my freshman year was over, there would be new incoming freshman and this social situation wasn't going to last for the next 4 years.

and im the kind of person who loves to go out and just find something to do with ppl, whether that be seeing a movie, partying, going to the hookah lounge, seeing a concert, whatever. but rit pretty much didnt let me get to experience any of those things, the things that youre supposed to in college. this was because of the lack of ways to get from there to some other place. unless you had a car, or a friend who would drive you anytime you wanted, it was impossible to go anywhere besides barnes and noble or the local strip mall. the bus transportation sucks, and so youre stranded on campus, especially in the winter. for photo majors you're required to take shots off of the campus, which obviously is nearly impossible.

the photo department has a high reputation for helpful staff, which it does, and its equipment, which is amazing. as long as you have a camera and tripod youre good to go pretty much. it definatly helps to have an apple laptlop and harddrive as well. what i didnt like was 1) how your first year doesnt focus on core classes like 2d design, drawing, etc like most other schools do, so its hard to transfer credits now, and 2) how technical the teaching style is; it's important to learn the basics of your craft, but i never felt like they were trying to help me develope as an artist and further explore my style as an individual, but instead told me what to shoot and how to shoot it if i wanted an A.

lastly, im a girl. there aren't many there, so all the boys take the chance to hit on a girl whenever they get the chance and think they're hot shit. that's false. theyre mostly socially awkward dudes, which if youre into that then great, youll find your man here. i however, have a high school sweetheart, and he wasnt exactly crazy about the idea of tons of odd guys hitting on me at "parties". my first dorm (with the deaf kids) i was one of 3 hearing girls, the other 2 ive never seen. all of my friends that i hung out with from there were 9 guys, who im still really close friends with and i love them to death, but im lucky that they all ended up being like my older brothers and not a bunch of guys looking for a little somethinsomethin. my advice as a girl would be to make some really close guy friends, because i know that if i ever was in trouble mine would have my back, and i know my bf was glad that i had them too.so basically if youre a person who keeps to themselves, loves to work hard, and is ok with not much to do other than computer games and smoke/drink with a few people, then this is youre place to go. :)

1st Year Female -- Class 2013

Useful Schoolwork: A, University Resource Use/ spending: F

To go to RIT it takes a special kind of person, as other reviews have said. RIT is definitely an academic school, and thus most things are focused around that. The social life is great if you are in with other socialites. If you want to go out and go to parties and have fun, you need to find people who like to as well. There are actually a lot of on campus parties, but for the most part they're "closed" meaning they invite their friends, and friends of friends but not everyone. So like I said find people who like to do that and you will have parties, dinner outings, ect. However, there are usually parties on Barton St. or in the Highland drive area as well if you're looking for open parties and willing to pay $5.

Academics here are very good. RIT is known all over the world for it's programs, and is often considered having some of the top programs. You'll get a job because of this. So you can thank RIT later.

Many people complain that you don't get a true college experince and that the people on campus are rude, snotty, and introverted. But did they ever stop to think maybe they are the same way? I have been yes, many a times annoyed by fellow students, who hit you with the large backpacks because theyre not paying attention, or who wear headphones with music blasting from them so other people can hear. But for the most part, people are friendly. They'll hold doors, and help you out in class. I work a very high-traffic job on RIT's campus and meet many students through it and I find most of the current RIT students are pleasant and easy to deal with...it's the incoming students and their parents who are often the rude ones.

The winters are cold yes, so get a good coat, some warm gloves and a pair of boots. People who complain about the winter are one's who don't dress properly. I see so many kids in light weight jackets freezing because they dont want to look dumb in a puffy coat. I grew up in the warm south and was never exposed to winters like these, and they don't bother me at all.

The professors are generally nice, there are some yes who don't speak english well and are hard to understand. RIT has a thing called office hours for each professor, where they allot a certain portion of their day to being in their office and being available to help students. the rest of the time professors are generally unavailable. This sucks because more often than not, their office hours are during popular class times.

Since RIT is so academic based, most of the professors assume you can and will read the textbooks, and for the most part teach yourself, with some guidance from them....It takes again, a certain kind of person, to learn this way. Almost all of my class have been this way. It's a lot harder to make it through the science courses because of this-- physics, chemistry, bio...and A LOT of kids end up taking those courses at MCC (community college about 5 min away) because they simply can't pass it at RIT.

RIT has a lot of resources, for tutoring as well as personal issues, roommate issues, legal issues. just about any kind of issue you can have. the KEY is you have to LOOK to find them. Most of the time they are not jumping out at you, and RIT really doesnt advertise them.

There are multiple tutoring centers for every subject, as well as most departments have specialize tutoring times as well. RIT has a lawyer, psychiatrist, nutritionist and counselors available for student use as well.

In terms of clubs, and sports, you'll definitely want to look at those before deciding you want to come to RIT. Not many are really offered, and the ones that are and generally geared towards a specific race, like the asian deaf club, or towards hearing or deaf.

So if clubs and sports are something you really want to get into check out the website before coming here. I was really disappointed that I hadn't before I got to RIT, I figured there was something for everyone, but i've gone to the club fair both of my years here and have been disappointed in the selection available...though supposedly that is to start changing...

Food on campus is decent. a Quizno's is on campus for you quizno lovers. McD's BK, IHOP and others are a short drive. Commons or Crossroads is where I like to go. Though once you have an apartment you have a kitchen and are free to cook whatever you like!!

Housing is something most people complain about...but i've never had a problem. I got an apartment my second year through the lottery, and im fine with it. I know people get stuck in the RIT INN but again the people that complain about it are the ones who complain about RIT in general. It's not that bad I stayed there when i was visiting RIT when i was in high school. I mean at the INN they clean your room and do linens for you!! whats so bad about that?

One thing I'd complain about is RIT's snow removable, theres been many a times ive slipped or come close because snow and ice isnt properly removed, or salted. and PARKING! wow does parking suck. a lot of people resort to using the handicap and vistor parking and risk getting a ticket because theres no where to park...especially when RIT has events and blocks of parking lots and tells students to "plan accordingly" or when there is an open house and prospective students take up the spaces.

RIT also costs a lot, but most kids here mommy and daddy pay for anyhting and everything so they dont care. Im paying my way through RIT and luckily i got a scholarship, and am only about $16,000 in debt right now (after 2 years) YES that is a lot. but I like RIT and its worth it to me.So basically don't listen to people who complain. I've found in my 2 years here, through talking to and meeting people, the people who complain about RIT are the ones who make no effort to do anything in terms of friends, going out, or making use of resources.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2010

Education Quality: A, Useful Schoolwork: F