<p>My D is scheduled for an interview for one of RIT's more select programs (Physician Assistant). On a student review website the place gets slammed by apparently present day and former students. In fact, it is the MOST reviewed college on the website, I believe it is studentreview.com Complaints are widespread involving everything from Profs who can barely speak English, to the torturous "quarter system" to the staff's acute lack of concern for the student's welfare, and most especially ... "there is almost nothing to do on campus" I've checked the frosh retention rate and it is 89% which is pretty good. Do any of you folks have any knowledge as to RIT? I know many of the complaints may have to do with disgruntled students who have a particular ax to grind.. it's just the volume of complaints and venom found in them is alarming..</p>
<p>A friends daughter graduated from RIT in the Spring. She loved it and found the geeky atmosphere fun. She participated in a not very popular sport. </p>
<p>A college close to me, DeSales University, has a good physicians assistant program if RIT doesn't feel quite right to your daughter.</p>
<p>I know of one current freshman at RIT who is extremely happy with the school, but she is a top student and is treated accordingly. I'm afraid I don't know anything more specific about her experience there except that she is interested in statistics.</p>
<p>My sister went there back in the 70s -- for photography -- and she left after two years for reasons similar to the ones you have encountered on the website. Judging from what the parents of the above described freshman have said about RIT, I had thought the school had re-invented itself, but maybe not.</p>
<p>My S's close friend, a smart kid but not top student, is studying computer science and doing music on the side there and loves it. He was a classic underachiever in HS, found himself lucky to have gotten into RIT, and has thrived there. He and his family are thrilled with it.</p>
<p>DS almost attended RIT. </p>
<p>As for ESL professors, better get an ear for heavy accents now rather than latter. DS undergrad advisor, Japanese. DS undergrad mentor, Japanese, and national teacher/research winner, Grad school advisor, Indian. Intern undergrad, supervisor, Chinese. Intern grad supervisor, Japanese, in Benguluru, India. High School physics teacher, part Indian, national award winner. </p>
<p>DS also was a TA in Canada to freshman exchange students who were from Korea. </p>
<p>Flat Earth.</p>
<p>Nightingale:</p>
<p>I posted a thread before complaining about the Profs/TAs who could barely speak English. Both of my Ds are CS majors - one at UCLA and the other at UCSD and they've both run into this problem. The consensus on the thread was that this issue is commonplace now - especially in math/science classes. It sounds as if RIT has the same problem (and I do think it's a problem) but it might also be a problem at your D's other school choices.</p>
<p>Best professor I had in college had a heavy Austrian accent. I had a hard time understanding him the first day, but thankfully I stuck with it. He ended up being my thesis adviser.</p>
<p>You might want to read my in-depth review of RIT found on their forum. The thread is entitled, "Overview of my visit to RIT." </p>
<p>I have also posted information about my visit and tour of RIT in the "College Visit" forum.</p>
<p>I have a friend whose son is there and loves it. He is in some sort of computer science program. As far as things to do on campus, even though the campus is suburban there are plenty of things to do in that area given the city being so close by. My friend's son is, however, a typical nerdy type who is happy to watch DVDs and play video games in his dorm room (he is sophomore in an apartment style dorm this year) and have the occasional poker night with his friends so his idea of a good time may be different than yours.</p>
<p>As far as the physician's assistant program goes, do they also have one at U of R? Only asking bc it might be nice to explore the options considering what you are saying.</p>
<p>I live in Rochester and have two friends at RIT. Both of them are satisfied with their programs, especially the opportunities given to them by the school. One is a transfer student from my school and they accomodated her so she'd graduate on time given that she lost a lot of ciredts in the process (coming from a LAC with a core curriculum). Another is extremely happy with his co-op and study abroad opportunities- led him to a co-op in Germany for 3 months. But both do complain that RIT forced them to be adults already as there aren't many things to do on campus and they are finding that they're leading real adult lives... living off campus (terrible housing system), doing much of their entertainment downtown Rochester, own cooking, etc. So different strokes for different folks.</p>
<p>Just get ready for crazy winters and your kid's going to pretty much need a car. Wegmans (the major supermarket here) isn't exactly a walking distance from the cloesst apartments close to the campus...</p>
<p>My dd is a 3rd yr Graphic Design major. She values the education she's gettting there but finds the weather dreary. But then again, my son complains that Providence is too cold. My dd has plenty to do and sometimes chooses to stay in on a weekend and do nothing, watch a movie with her roommates. She's not nerdy in the least, nor are any of her friends (not that that's a bad thing, just not her thing). Many of her friends (girls and guys) are athletes there, although she is not. She has close to a 4.0 and usually works 1 or 2 on campus jobs. </p>
<p>Her freshman dorm was good, but not her roommate situation. She changed to an ON Campus apt (3 bedroom townhouse) for sophomore yr and will probably stay in that apt until she graduates. If you move into an on campus apt, you can keep it as long as you want. You can also move at any time to another open slot so it pays to get out there and meet people. As someone leaves to go on coop, or moves, they can "sign you in" as a roommate. Once you get a slot, you can keep it. All her friends got apts in their 2nd yr by finding "open slots", although some have switched around to get better units. Her apt costs less than the dorm and she has her own washer and dryer in her basement. She prefers to cook since she eats healthy. She even has a full size gas grill in her backyard (and has a fairly large backyard which allows her to have outdoor parties). She had her own car and was thrilled that RIT allows freshman to bring cars and parking is free.</p>
<p>THe quarter system is fast paced. Skipping a week for vacation or illness really sets you back. This is not a school for slackers. She does feel stressed at times, but that's her personality. Kids who succeed at RIT don't need a lot of hand holding; they are focused and self-motivated. The kids who complain the most seem to have trouble socializing, but I suspect they would have the same problems elsewhere. There is plenty to do but first one must leave their dorm rooms. Some don't. My d had the opposite problem. Many of her friends are in sororities (different ones) and while my dd would have liked the benefits of the greek system, she didn't think she could keep up with all the social demands that are required. There's actually TOO much to do (most of it sounding fun but still time consuming). Many of her friends are top students who take full advantage of all that RIT offers. Some have had great coop situations.</p>
<p>As for the language problems, I had those same concerns back in my day as a bio major. I think this situation occurs at many schools, esp in science/math depts. My dad said the same about his classes at Stevens Institute of Technology and we know kids at MIT who have trouble. Tech majors have a more focused curriculum. Kids must show up knowing what they want to major in and be ready to go. You need to be at RIT since many students begin taking courses in their majors from the get go - unlike LACs where you're doing mostly introductory liberal arts classes to begin. RIT students mostly take classes with others in their major. This can be good or bad - depends on your thinking. My dd finds this a bit stifling, but she has a communications minor (6 classes) so many of the kids in those classes are not in the design school so she's still meeting new kids. </p>
<p>She did a study abroad last summer in Italy and she took a couple gen ed classes at home one summer, so she finds herself ahead of her graduation requirements. She could take it easy and just take 4 classes per qtr (which she's never done) but instead she's talking about completing another minor in the business dept. She speaks highly of many of her professors. Classes are small and personal relationships develop easily. Teachers email her all the time. Professors definitely know her by name and she's had no difficulty getting rec letters written. </p>
<p>I will say she has complained that she sometimes has trouble getting kids to GO DO something off campus. She'd like the campus to be more active - like kids out rollerblading, biking, playing ball, but it seems that's not the type of kid who chooses a tech school. In her view, too many kids sit in their rooms playing video games - something she and her friends don't do. BUT that doesn't matter in the end, because you only need so many firends and she hasn't had trouble finding like minded friends. She has said the apts aren't as openly friendly as she expected, that it's not one big party. But she seems to always have more party invitations than she can attend and still get her work done. I heard she skipped Friday's Hockey game to get some work done (midterms) because she wanted to go to Saturday's Hockey game. Hockey is big there (Div 1 - tied for 1st place currently).</p>
<p>We've only had good experiences with RIT staff (her dept, billing, housing, financial aid, advising...). She's never had a problem with security. Perhaps she's been lucky. Tons of stores and restaurants nearby (but not within walking distance). Now if she could just get the sun to shine more often and get the wind to die down...</p>
<p>I have noticed a difference from my son's school where there are many more plays, concerts and academic talks on a regular basis. I'm sure RIT has some of these but I haven't heard much about them.</p>
<p>In case some of you haven’t noticed…RIT is a technical institute, NOT a liberal arts college. Obviously, the atmosphere is going to be a little more “nerdy.” If that’s not for you, then don’t go there. That’s fine. I personally would call myself a nerd. My sister, my boyfriend, and my sister’s boyfriend and I absolutely love to play video games, computer games, and other such “nerdy” games. I’m also content with just staying in and reading. I don’t party and I don’t need to go out and socialize all the time. I also live 30 minutes away from RIT so I’m used to the “dreary” weather. Hey, it’s Rochester! The weather changes every 15 minutes! All in all, I personally love RIT. I hope to start there next fall :)</p>