The Rochester Institute of Technology

Overall, this school gets mixed reviews and many seem to give it a bad reputation in areas where it doesn't deserve any. Like almost any place you will go, you will find that what you get out of a school is what you put in.

The Male:Female Ratio:

Okay, this is beyond a doubt my biggest peeve with RIT's students. Everyone complains about the lack of women but the numbers barely show much of a difference anymore. Perhaps 4-5 years ago there was a huge issue with it, but my freshman class came in with a near 50-50 mix and subsequent classes have also. The issue is that the mix does not follow through when it comes to majors. A majority of the technology majors are filled by mostly men, thus why these people say that there are few girls in the school. These people also most likely rarely go to the events that do occur on campus, which are not as rare as you would be led to believe.

Social Life
This really revolves around who you make friends with. It is impossible to compare any aspects of the general social atmosphere to a school, but I shall try as many others have. There are plenty of on-campus parties and only a few actual get broken up by campus safety. Typically this happens when people are being too loud or get into fights outside the apartment. If partying isn't your scene there's still plenty to do. There's an on-campus movie theatre that typically shows something every week. There's poetry readings for those so inclined and plays every so often that are really quite good.

If sports events are your venue, then RIT might not be so forgiving. The hockey team is usually great and fun to watch. The games are also fairly inexpensive for students. I haven't been to any of the other official sports games so I can't speak to them. However, the intramural teams on campus are alot of fun and open to everyone. Its easy to get on team. All you have to do is find out when it is and show up. Like most intramurals, its more about having fun and making friends than competition. Also, Rochester has amazing wind at winter. If you like to kite or snowkite than there are plenty of places in the area. There are concerts every so often on campus too although not too many. However, these are usually top notch bands even if I don't like some of the music that they play. Many of them are mainstream and fairly popular.

4th Year Male -- Class 2009

Useful Schoolwork: A+, Individual Value: C

I think RIT gets a bad rep because people think it cool to trash things that aren't perfect. Wake up, there isn't a "perfect" college.

On that note, my goal going into college was to get a job. I have 9 months to graduate, and myself and 4 friends have already accepted offers. Thats saying something. And the faculty can't be beat- they want you to succeed. If you make an effort and go to every class, they know your name. And not for just that class, for the next 5 years.

As far as tutoring, I have never had a problem going to a professor's office hours for help. Actually, most of the time it isn't their office hours I go, its when I'm free. There is 2 engineering tutors from 8am to 9pm every weekday in the engineering building. There is Academic Support for math and science, and math tutors all the time in the math building. Don't expect everything to be told to you 10x and laid out exactly. You are in college. Once or twice being told there is help should suffice. (In terms of material comprehension and where to get help)

Oh, and I don't expect a college to baby me and keep me entertained. I can do that by myself, whether its going out with friends or hitting up the coffee shop for live music and a board game. If you want to party, there are enough bars and frat houses around, just don't expect Animal House. Don't close yourself in your room and whine "no one invites me anywhere" and you'll find there is plenty to do at RIT and the surrouding areas. In fact, we have more crazy stories because we keep ourselves entertained.

Overall, I like it. I don't have school spirit, but I also know that I'm getting a damn good education. Social life is what you make of it. As far as diversity, I don't know what they are talking about "not being diverse". Every single class I have ever been in has a good percentage of minorities, and RIT has a huge staff of minority professors. You probably don't see them because they are being active somewhere else instead of walking to class. Which is about all you see "touring" the campus. If you don't want to be babied and have everything handed to you, check it out. You will without a doubt learn a lot about yourself and your discipline. Good luck, quarters are tough, but take responsibility for your work and you'll do fine.

4th Year Female -- Class 2009

Friendliness: A+, Faculty Accessibility: F

I received my BS in Information Technology is 2004. RIT is an outstanding place to get an education. I would not trade the experience for anything.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2004

Collaboration/Competitive: A+, Education Quality: A-