The Rochester Institute of Technology

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

RIT is a great place if you can keep up with the work and get into a good group of friends. I am a networking and system admin major and academics here are the best but if you fall behind in your work you are dead. I see tons of people drop out from falling behind in thier work. Many professors, classes, and labs have been great experiances to me. The majority of my professors teach very well and care a lot about if you are learning the subject. Getting good instructors is pot luck if you dont use some sort of site such as ratemyprofessor.com or know which teachers are good. However if you do get a good teacher you will love your classes (so long as your interested in your major). Social life can be dull but if you can get into an on campus apartment (of which there are tons) you will see and find partys all over. If your after alcohol the apartments are an easy place to find some. Having an apartment usually means your own room and roommates you like so it can be a lot of fun. It boils down to this, if your goal is a good job come here and work hard, it will pay off. If your goal is a mix between social life and academics you need to be outgoing but get your work down before social events, DO NOT go out to the apartments and drink if you have a test or project due in a few days. If your goal is just a good social life you are far better suited going else where.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2011

Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: D

Hey all. I posted on this site just about around a year ago. I went to RIT and have since transferred. Im sorry, but socially, my life has since blossomed alot more and I dont regret it one bit. I felt way too sheltered at RIT and just coudnt take it, i guess I just didnt fit it. I always wanted to go out and do stuff and I would have to really pressure people to come with me. I guess Counterstrike was more important. Anyhow, not to make this too long I have two things to share. 1). This website is funny and, surprisingly, hits the target quite well. it is http://mbsrules.com/RIT.htm. Its a song somebody made about the school lifestyle, check it out. 2). Me and my friends that I made would go out and have fires all the time at this certain secret spot all the time when the weather was nice enough. The spot is behind gracies but no one can see it at night so you dont have to worry about being caught. (considering the school wont let you even have a microwave in your dorm, they prolly wouldnt look kindly to people having bon fires.) Anyhow, I am being dead serious about this. Go to the corner store buy some hotdogs and go have a fire at this place, maybe even throw a few back while there, I certainly did. It is hard for me to accurately describe how to get there but start at gracies looking east, walk past c lot and hang a right onto whatever road that is. Follow it for a short distance until you get to a clearing on your right. go into that clearing, (for some reasong i remember big rocks near where you should go). go up the clearing until you get to the part where it is no longer a clearing but turns to brush. find a way down into the ravine you should see and, if you look around, dont venture too far, you should see a stack of bricks for a fire pit and some cinder blocks to sit on. Believe me. This fire pit is def. my best memory of RIT and I wish I had thrown a party there. If you are feeling down about the place, this will certain spark some spiRIT. Good luck and god bless.

1st Year Male -- Class 2009

Campus Maintenance: A+, Surrounding City: D+