Undergraduate Admissions FAQs
Undergraduate Admissions FAQs
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Visiting RIT
We’re safely welcoming families to campus for small group in-person campus tours and information sessions.
For options on how to connect with admissions, please visit here.
Application Process
The application deadline for first-year students for Fall 2021 has passed, however, transfer students are still being considered on a rolling basis. The recommended deadline for Spring 2022 for first-year and transfer students is Nov 1, 2021. Merit scholarships and financial aid are still available for all terms.
RIT adopted an SAT/ACT optional policy in May 2020. Students interested in being reviewed without SAT or ACT test scores should indicate this on the application for admission
The Admissions Committee will be understanding of academic disruption caused by the pandemic. Applicants will not be disadvantaged by “pass” grades on transcripts or cancelled Regents Exams.
Log into your admissions portal (which you created when you applied for admission) at join.rit.edu/status to check on your status
Yes, for more details please refer to our Friendly Early Decision policy.
Homeschooled Students
Required academic coursework varies by your major of interest. Please visit page 2 from our Academic Profile Guide to make sure you have satisfied the expected academic coursework for admission consideration and contact us at [email protected] with any questions.
Required documentation for admission consideration:
- An official homeschool transcript signed by your home school counselor/supervisor, including a detailed list of academic coursework and addendum with syllabi or course descriptions
In addition, please provide one or more of the following (all that are available):
- A transcript from a recognized homeschool clearing house program
- A transcript from a traditional high school program you attended for part of your high school career
- Official high school equivalency results, such as GED, HiSET, or TASC
- Documentation from your local school district indicating the student has met or is making progress towards high school graduation
- An official college transcript
Once you have confirmed your intent to enroll at RIT, all students, including home schooled students, must also provide proof of graduation or equivalency before the start of classes. Those seeking and applying for financial aid must meet Ability-to-Benefit guidelines (click on “High School Diploma or Equivalent” section for additional details) in order to qualify for state and federal financial aid.
Honors Program
Our holistic review process gives every application comprehensive consideration and Honors Program selection is included in this process. Approximately 1% of applicants are invited to the Honors Program, so the selection is extremely competitive.
- You are automatically considered just by completing an application for admission.
- There are no supplemental essays required for consideration.
- Only invited candidates will be notified of admission to the program.
Only candidates who have been invited to the program will be notified. Invitations are sent 2-3 weeks prior to the enrollment deadline for your decision plan.
- If you applied Early Decision 1, you will be notified 2-3 weeks prior to January 15.
- If you applied Early Decision 2, you will be notified 2-3 weeks prior to February 15.
- If you applied Regular Decision, you will be notified 2-3 weeks prior to May 1.
Visit the Honors Program website for detailed information about the program and feel free to contact [email protected] with questions about the selection process.
Enrolling at RIT
If you will not be taking 4 or more college courses during your deferral (gap) year or semester, then your scholarship award will remain the same. A FAFSA submission is required again for need-based financial aid consideration, but if your financial situation remains similar, you can expect a similar financial aid award next year.
If you are enrolling at another college for a year, this is not considered a deferral and you will need to be reconsidered for admission, scholarship and financial aid as a transfer student.
Your academic advisor will be registering you for classes in late July/early August.
Students beginning in the spring semester should complete their residence hall contract no later than January 2nd. For fall semester students, it is strongly recommended you complete your residence hall contract by May 1. Additional details can be found at mylife.rit.edu.
You will need to complete student health forms and send us your final high school transcript over the summer. Find complete information about next steps
The math placement exam (MPE) is used to place BS (Bachelor of Science) students in the appropriate initial mathematics and or statistics course(s). Spring enrollees will be contacted by your academic advisor. For fall semester students, please find more MPE information here.
You will be contacted by your academic advisor. Find more information
High School Courses and Standardized Tests (Including AP/IB)
RIT is pleased to review your AP coursework for possible transfer credit. In order to receive credit for the courses, official AP test scores must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions from the College Board. An exam score of 3 or higher is necessary to be considered for credit. In many cases, however, a minimum score of 4 is required to obtain credit for specific college courses. Each department will determine the specific amount of credit to be awarded. View the AP Credit Policy
RIT recognizes IB level work. Credit may be awarded for higher level examinations completed with a score of 5 or higher. Credit is awarded on a course-by-course basis and in the context of the student’s intended program at RIT. Each department will determine the specific amount of credit to be awarded. Students are requested to forward IB transcripts to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. View the IB Credit Policy
Transfer credit will be considered for relevant coursework where a grade of C or better was earned at a regionally accredited college or university. Official transcripts must be submitted and will be reviewed on a course-by-course basis. RIT also reviews work performed in courses and training programs evaluated by the American Council on Education (e.g., CLEP, DANTES, etc.). Each department will determine the specific amount of credit to be awarded. A partial database of currently established transfer credit rules from various universities and colleges is available.
College Courses
In consideration of the alternate grading options being offered at many institutions of higher education in response to the pandemic, RIT will award transfer credit for any coursework taken between Spring 2020-Summer 2021 that is graded with a C or higher, Pass, or Satisfactory (or it's equivalent) grade from other regionally accredited colleges or universities and specific armed services course work. RIT will award credit for all Pass and Satisfactory grades regardless of the external school's determination of equivalent letter grades.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
You are welcome to appeal your financial aid award to see if RIT can offer additional funding.
RIT offers a payment plan where a semester bill can be spread out over a 4 month period. There is a $42 fee for this service and you can find more information here.
Yes. RIT will continue to review all students for merit scholarships regardless if they have submitted test scores.