Thanks @2kidsinky !
Yes, I forgot to mention he was ED.
@TheatreMom74, congrats. Our Tiger (a first year) also picked RIT over Pitt and VA Tech after an accepted candidates visit last spring. He’s a MechE/Aerospace major, but his roommate is in GDD and really likes the program.
Welcome…
Accepted to RIT on 12/9, Electrical Engineering with a $10k scholarship!
I was surprised by the 10 day turnaround time.
(Int’l applicant from India)
Congratulations @animays !
Hi all, I am a former RIT student. Just wanted to give you all some insight. RIT is an amazing school, the co-op program is fantastic, and most of the professors offer a lot of help outside of class. That being said, it is not a good choice for those who are unsure of their major. I applied and got accepted as Engineering Exploration. I was told all throughout high school that I should major in engineering. I also received a scholarship through my high school, so RIT was added to my list. The Engineering Exploration program is fantastic, you take tours of the different departments and the head of each department lectures you about why their department is best. However the career counselors aren’t the best when it comes to individual attention. I declared Chemical Engineering after my first semester. However halfway into the second semester, I realized I did not like my Chemical Engineering class. I went to my adviser to get help, and it seemed like she did not know much about other programs. I asked about majoring in Chemistry since I really liked sciencey classes, and she seemed ready to sign the paperwork for change of major right there, without me looking more in to it. I went to the Chem department to get more information. No one really asked or tried to figure out my interests and abilities. They just tried to “sell” me on the chemistry major. Also with the co-op program, your classes are set in stone in terms of when you take them. There isn’t much room for flexibility for people who change their majors. That is why most RIT students take longer than five years to graduate. If RIT was cheaper, I’d say it would be easier to change majors and find out what field best suits you. I ended up leaving RIT because I was unhappy with my program and wanted to take gen ed classes at a cheaper school. I am attending UB now. I chose RIT over UB(local school) because I wanted to dorm. Also for some reason the idea of a state school turned me away. Honestly if there is a state school near you that even barely makes it onto the Princeton Review list, go there. You will get the same education at a decent state school as RIT or other mid line tech schools.
Feel free to ask me any questions about RIT or UB!
@jellocello67, thanks for the info – it’s always great to hear what actual students have to say about a school. I’m sorry RIT didn’t work out for you in your situation – hope you are enjoying UB.
I don’t think my D will have an issue with changing majors. Her HS has an engineering program all four years and she decided freshman year she wanted to be an EE working in renewable energy. The plan hasn’t changed yet so I think it’s about as solid as possible for a HS senior.
Assuming changing majors won’t be a problem, do you think RIT has a good bit more going for it than a local public (one of her other options)? RIT is her #1 choice right now. She really wants to co-op and is an introverted nerdy girl. She likes the idea of a campus culture that would be more focused on people like her. It seems like the overall vibe would be better for her than a big state school. What are your thoughts on the culture/vibe there?
@snoozn, the first response in this thread sums it up pretty well
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/rochester-institute-technology/1951882-rit-for-me-campus-culture.html#latest
@IamINTP did your scholarship include need based(loans or grants) for just merit scholarship?
I am current undergraduate at RIT in the EE program. Since I don’t know the public school you are talking about, I can’t help you there. Speaking about the RIT EE program, it is a tough program but definitely doable. I think the co-ops are a big plus and speaking from personal experience, the co-op is really good as it helps you get ready for the industry. You can definitely do internships at other schools but due to the established co-op program, it is more helpful in getting an internship. RIT does have a nerdy feel to it but honestly, you can find all kinds of people at RIT. Hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Can someone tell me more about what the campus is like? Have a 16 almost 17 yo who wants mech. eng/aerospace…he’s adhd and will need some help…wondering if he could be successful there because he’s been rather sheltered here in SC…
@Carolina71, my S is a first year MechE/Aero major, and so far, is very happy with the school.
RIT was not on his radar at all, and only applied after his first choice/early decision school didn’t work out.
He was originally dead set against it even before our accepted candidates day visit because he wanted to continue with marching band which they don’t offer. He stepped on campus and pretty much knew he’d found his place and after his other two top potentials (VTech and UPitt) wound up not being the right fit he was sold.
I’d say if at all possible, visit the school, and spend some time researching they’re supporting services. The sense I get is that if kids are willing to put in some effort on their own behalf the school will be helpful. My S isn’t ADHD, but he is eligible for support from NTID (of which he is currently not taking advantage of) due to which we had a couple of issues during orientation last August. They seemed to be receptive to our feedback.
He’s found a great group of friends, and is, for the most part enjoying his classes. I think second semester will be even better because, obviously, they can choose their own schedule.
This thread has some great campus vibe stuff in it
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/rochester-institute-technology/1951882-rit-for-me-campus-culture.html#latest
Is anyone’s kid going to either of the Accepted Student’s Open Houses in April?
My DS decided on 4/1 because he has a mission trip to Mexico the next weekend. I’d love my DS to connect with a few other prospective students before he goes. He did say there was a good Reddit thread for RIT. I’ll get the link from him and post it here.
@TheatreMom74, we won’t know about acceptance until March. We did visit and RIT is #1 on her list right now. If she gets in with enough merit we might go to the accepted students day or she might just go ahead and enroll. It will probably depend on how their merit compares with Gonzaga, her close second choice (yep, really different schools). Of course she hasn’t even gotten in yet so I’ll try not to put the cart before the horse!
@dbjs70, thanks for the helpful info.
@snoozn We did the ED non-binding but he wants to go to RIT so we only applied to 2 other schools (VA Tech and Pitt), which were rolling admissions (VAtech was because of a minority engineering program he’s been in since sophomore year). He got into 1(Pitt) and deferred on the other(VTech) until they see the mid-year report. I ran the NPC and neither will be as affordable as RIT’s FA, which gave us generous grants. We’re still waiting to find out if he gets any merit aid from RIT.
Any other schools besides Gonzaga?
@TheatreMom74, I wish I’d known VA Tech was rolling – D’s only just now working on the app. Oh well.
We’ve tossed a few acceptances because they weren’t affordable. That leaves her with CO State U, Western Washington U, and Michigan Tech. She’s in at Rose-Hulman but no scholarship info yet. Her RD schools are VA Tech and Clarkson U.
That’s great RIT was generous with FA. Hope you’ll see some nice merit as well.
No @snoozn it’s not for most applicants. Sorry for the confusion. He had an opportunity to apply via a program he’s been in and it wouldn’t be considered ED but would get him a decision when we went to visit in early November. It was a 1st choice but he was deferred until they see his mid-year report. It worked out because now he wants to go to RIT.
Am I wrong to feel like the merit offer would’ve been in the ED acceptance letter? I’m wondering if he will get any more $ but crossing my fingers.
Congrats on all of the acceptances! I have to admit it is a relief to not have to wait a few more months. Now I can start the planning.
DS accepted ED for Fall 2017 in CS program. Thinking of going to accepted students open house, but since we have already visited, not sure they’ll be much new…just might make him feel more comfortable as he’s on the shy side. Wish they had given more money…definitely not meeting 100% of need, Received a 7K Merit and 8K need-based grant, some subsidized and unsubsidized student loans…but still 31K due! Haven’t sent deposit in yet, but will probably do so next week.
@DianenowinPA, my S didn’t see RIT until we went to the accepted candidates day. It wound up being the clincher for him on a school he hadn’t really seriously considered prior to the visit. We found the day to be educational; if he’s at all on the fence and you can make the trip I’d say go.
@DianenowinPA Did the merit offer of 7K come in the acceptance materials or separately? My son was also accepted ED. We saw info from FA on the grants but not any merit $. They still met about 75% of our need so the EFC is attainable.He is still applying for some other scholarships to help offset costs.