RIT is the only place i’m looking outside of tiny liberal art schools, and i’m just looking for some advice on the campus culture here.
I’m applying to the college of imaging sciences for fine art photography, and am worried about the largeness, frat life, and large percentage of male students at RIT. I’m definitely leftist (self-defined anarchist) and am heavily interested in humanities but am considering putting this aside to pursue my passion of fine art photography, for which RIT has the top program in the country.
RIT seems like a great place, but I’m worried I wouldn’t be able to fit in with the campus culture. What do you guys think?
Hey, I’m a 5th year student at RIT and can definitely give you some insight.
I would say the overarching culture at the school is nerd-chic. It’s pretty unique due to the combination of engineering and arts programs. However the campus is big enough where you can meet pretty much any type of person imaginable, which isn’t always the case at smaller schools. I’ve seen people from all over the country and world and from all different backgrounds and I’ve never found other students to be anything other than accepting or at the very least respectful to other people. Clubs are definitely significant and numerous, but Greek life less so. While only a small number of people participate in fraternities and sororities, they are generally respected among the general population.
As for the gender ratio, it’s true that the school overall leans around 60/40 male, you’ll find the opposite to be true in the arts departments. Fine art photo is an amazing program I’m sure you’d do well in.
Good luck in your search and let me know if you have any other questions!
My son is a first year and @b1c497a’s comments reflect what I believe he’s experienced so far (after his first semester). From what I’ve seen in our visits “nerd-chic” pretty much hits it as far as culture goes, and I think that’s a positive thing.
Also, many degree programs at RIT are 5 years due to mandatory co-op requirements lest anyone wonder why @b1c497a didn’t graduate in the typical 4 years.
There is a huge variety of people on campus. I personally am someone who never thought I’d go Greek, but am now in the process of possibly joining a sorority here. I’m in a computing major. You’ll find nerds, jocks, introverts, extroverts, and everything in between here.