The Rochester Institute of Technology

I would not go to this college until after they switch over to the semester system(scheduled for the start of the 2012-2013 year) I would even wait a year or two so they can get the kinks out of the new system.

Otherwise, this college overall has been great for me. I will say that my first 2 years at RIT were fairly painful because I had a hard time building my social circle. RIT is not a place you go to if the social life is your main priority but for a tech school it has a fairly strong and friendly feel to it; you just need to look in the right spots. RIT is a dry campus so you wont find any parties in the dorms but you can easily find them in the on campus apartments. There is a large number of clubs on campus and all of the ones I have participated in were/are amazing. Even with a large number of activities there are unfortunately a small percentage of students who are active in some of the clubs and sports but with around 14,000 students there are plenty of great people to meet and hang out with. Most of my fellow CS majors hide away in their "caves" in the dorms and will probably never talk to you so if you want to meet people you have to leave your Dorm and meet people at other places.The co-op program for this school is amazing and will definitely help you find a job when you graduate.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2012

Individual Value: A, Useful Schoolwork: C-

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 have read a lot of complaints about tech schools from people majoring in business/management, humanities, social sciences, arts, and even sciences and engineering.

Here's my advice to ANYONE considering a tech school:

1. Do not expect a big party scene. Tech schools are NOT THE PLACE FOR PARTIES. You're here to study most of the time because science and engineering degrees are some of the most challenging degrees to obtain. You want parties, GO TO A STATE COLLEGE OR BIG UNIVERSITY.

2. Most students at tech schools are nerds. Get over it. And stop complaining about the girls at tech schools. I'm a girl at a tech school, and I am not ugly or androgynous in any way. I am very offended by these comments about girls at tech schools. You want more girls at tech schools, why don't you show some more respect b******s! They are here for the same reason as you males. They are here for a quality education. If you want bimbo girls, GO TO A STATE COLLEGE OR BIG UNIVERSITY.

3. It's called a TECH school for a reason. The strongest programs are going to be engineering, computers, and electronic arts. Sciences are usually decent, but everything else is not going be as top notch as it would be at a liberal arts college. If you're looking for a quality education in humanities, social sciences, etc, GO TO LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE.

4. Tech schools are not very flexible for indecisive students. If you don't know what you want to do, DON'T GO TO A TECH SCHOOL.

5. Academics are challenging. Welcome to technical/science degrees. Get over it. If you can't handle it, you're in the wrong school.

6. Social life is what you make of it. Get up and talk to people. Try new things. Actively seek activities. If you sit in your dorm all day, that explains your misery.I realize I'm being very audacious in my advice, but it's the truth. Visit schools, read as much as you can, and talk to students before consenting to attend any school. All this misery can be prevented if you do your research.

1st Year Female -- Class 2013

Innovation: A+, Social Life: C+