The Rochester Institute of Technology

I am hard-of-hearing and know the basics of American Sign Language. However, I'd just come out of a dry spell of having little to no interaction with people of the Deaf community for three years. So I was unable to feel completely comfortable conversing with Deaf people. The main reason I came to RIT was to have more interaction with Deaf people, but the experience was difficult for me because I could not just 'jump in' to any conversations. I did take ASL 1 my second semester, but by then it was too late to really get to know anyone better because they'd all made their social groups and weren't really looking for new members.

That's not to say Deaf people weren't generally polite to me. The vast majority were friendly to me and allowed me to sign and didn't interrupt me. However, my interactions with them were limited to 'hi, how are you' and I quickly became frustrated.

My hearing classmates were actually worse with interaction. At least with Deaf people I could hold a short conversation - with hearing people the moment they realized I had hearing loss, they tended to suddenly find other people to talk to. The exception was the interpreting majors. Other hearing people tended to not know what to do with me. Not that I was surprised by that, it was just rather sad that a school with so many Deaf people tends to be segregated into hearing and Deaf with not much of a middle ground.

I should add that it took me a while to realize that just because I wasn't having much success with making friends, didn't mean I had to ignore all opportunities on campus. I volunteered for a couple of events in the spring semester which were a lot of fun and made me feel like an actual person. You don't have to have friends to volunteer, you just need to show up and be polite and friendly. Another thing that kept me sane was Ballroom Dance Club. I was the only one with hearing loss in the club, but I enjoyed the dancing, which was something I'd always wanted to learn but hadn't had a chance to until then. However, the club tended to give me weird looks when I spoke up in club and it was very hard for me to have a conversation with them. But I was there for the dancing so I tried not to let it bother me too much.

Unfortunately, I never did find a 'group' where I fit in. That left a lot of emotional scarring. I was only majoring in Communications because it sort of had something to do with what I want to get into (publishing). But because I neither had friends nor a stimulating academic program, I will be transferring in the fall to a state school.If you are of a liberal arts mindset, I strongly encourage you to look elsewhere for a degree. I learned that tech school is really not the place to be if you have any interest in liberal arts, unless you are in the NTID program. The Communications major should only be considered if you know what it is exactly and know what you would do with it. Otherwise, look elsewhere for a degree. This is coming from a person with an associate's in English Literature. I plan to transfer to a state school to get my Bachelor's in English Literature, because I failed at RIT to get either a stimulating major or a social circle. The courses I took in the spring semester can be transferred to an English Literature major because they do have to offer some English Literature classes for general education. But the classes were not at the level that an English Literature major would find very stimulating.

1st Year Female -- Class 2017

Scholastic Success: A+, Education Quality: F

If you have ADHD or any learning disability and having a hard time at or with Rochester Institute of Technology send us an email at If you have any of the above do not go to RIT they are not ready for your talents.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2018

Campus Aesthetics: A, Education Quality: F

1. The switch from quarters to semesters was extremely badly executed. Students were promised that they would not be impacted by the change, however 75% of students are having to stay an extra semester, or take over 20 credits in order to keep on track. Academic advising in the art department is virtually useless, they are inaccessible and unhelpful. Professors have no idea how to teach a semester long course, so it is just as fast paced as the quarters, but lasts 5 weeks longer.

2. On campus housing ranges from $450 -$1500 per month. Do not live in the on campus apartments, especially Park Point. They rob you on average $750 per month, and then add other surprise fees just for giggles.

3. RIT IS NOT IN ROCHESTER. YOU CANNOT WALK DOWNTOWN. The campus is in Henrietta, 20 min outside the city. so to go out, you need a friend who has a car and enjoys DDing. Really, you need a car to do anything, as there is no public transport in Henrietta.

4. RIT uses your money to build useless new buildings. They ignore the renovating and updates that need to be done, and instead build a new hockey stadium. The art building is the most ignored in terms of renovating. Avoid the bathrooms.

5. As an art student, professors will expect you to spend A LOT of money on supplies and studio fees. There is no mercy. Expect to spend an extra 1,000 per year on these types of expenses, on top of tuition.

6. It used to be free to park in the farthest lot, about half a mile from campus. It is a very unpleasant walk in the winter. As of this year you now have to pay $100 for this luxury.

7. Student Financial Services, if I may, is the most incompetent office you will ever step foot in during your life time. They hate their jobs, and they hate you for asking them to do their jobs.

8.Each semester you have to pay an extra fee of $246, but no matter who you ask, no one will tell you what this fee is for.

9. In summary, RIT will rob you and your family of a great deal of money, and you will not have that great of an experience. At the end of it you will be writing something just like this. Go somewhere else, just do.

4th Year Female -- Class 2014

Perceived Campus Safety: A, University Resource Use/ spending: F