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The best thing about RIT is the number of opportunities. There are hundreds of clubs, activities every day. There are so many things to experience and if there isn't something going on you like you have plenty of opportunities to start something new. This can often be attributed to the size of RIT. Its the perfect size because no one group takes over, there is a little bit of everything. The size also helps the college over a wide variety of classes too. When I tell people I go to RIT they are impressed. Its not an easy school to stay in. The quarter system is intense. Its worth the work in the end though because your degree is that much more valuable because people are impressed with the school. One thing I will always remember about RIT is the people I met here. I met more international students and people from different backgrounds than I would have at most other schools. I have learned so much from these people. They have definitely opened my eyes, given me great experiences and will be something I always remember positively.
Amanda Senior
When I tell people I go to RIT, I get mixed reactions. Some people say, "Oh, cool! I had a [friend/relative] go there!" Others say, "Oh, where's that?" Once I say "...Institute of Technology" they assume I'm a tech person or an engineer. I'm technically an artist. I personally like the campus. Other students are tired of all the brick and like other campuses better, but I like the enclosed campus we have. Everything is together on one campus. If you live on campus you don't have to drive to class. I spend most of the time in the library, the labs, or the gym. If the weather is ever nice, I'll sit outside. I have a lot of friends, and sometimes we'll just sit around and discuss whatever.
Daniella Senior
RIT's name carries a lot of weight because people see it as a "great school" or one that is "hard to get into". It impresses people when I say I go here, but I'm not sure that I like the quarter system that much. RIT's not too big where you might get confused as to where you are, but it's not tiny either. You typically run into a lot of the same students everyday depending on your major and where your classes usually are, but there are a lot of people on campus that I've never seen before or have never talked to before. I don't spend much of my time on the academic side of campus, the majority of it is spent either in class or back at my on-campus apartment either doing work or trying to get away from the never-ending pile of bricks that is "campus". There really isn't much of a "college town" yet. MacGreggor's is right around the corner and we like to refer to it as Building 0 because it's the most common place for students to go relax and have a few drinks. There is some construction going on now that is supposed to change that whole aspect of RIT by adding some new places to go that are on campus, yet pretty far away from the dorms and the academic side. The biggest recent controversy on campus is that for graduation this year we get the pleasure of hearing our own provost speak, instead of a more famous person, like a senator, or, like last year, a former president (Bill Clinton). There are rumors going around that this is because we were supposed to have Elliot Spitzer speak... but due to the recent allegations, we decided to cancel that.
David Senior
The best thing about RIT is that everyone is friendly and warm. Its the nicest group of people I've ever been around, as well as the most helpful. I would like to change the student outlook on the school. For many people, its the place that everyone loves to hate. and the more you hate it, the more other people hate it. And when everyone talks negatively about RIT, its not going to help anyone. The people with school pride are fierce. They have extreme loyalty. Though, these people are few in number. It really goes back to how people react and feel about RIT in general. The school is rather huge, but everyone finds their niche in their department or a club. A big school doesn't always equal a little fish in a big pond scenario. When I tell people I go to RIT, I often get a blank look. Honestly, though, educated individuals who are doctors, lawyers and engineers know RIT, but average people don't. And when they do know, I'm usually asked if I'm an engineer. The art program is phenomenal, but few people know it exists. College town is being build right now. People stay on campus a lot, because there is always something to do. The administration is undergoing a process of change due to a new president. I haven't had much contact with them. The old president, and the new president have a forum online where students can ask questions, and both times I've asked, I've gotten a response from the president himself. Its a great way he makes himself available to us. People say the campus is ugly, but i think its beautiful, honestly. There's never any trash or garbage, but at the same time, you never see maintenance cleaning it up. I swear there are invisible elves.
MeliMidland Sophomore
Sometimes I get the impression that RIT is a next-to-Ivy-League school, and sometimes I feel like we're not doing as well as we could. I tell people I'm attending RIT and I get responses like, "Oh, wow, you must be brilliant." However, some of my teachers have been mediocre - the ones integral to my major, incidentally. What I like most about RIT is that it's easy to become a leader in extracurriculars. While RIT doesn't have an official music program and its arts are limited, there's a lot to do in the city of Rochester. All you need is a car and an interest, and you'll be endlessly entertained. For instance, last night I went to a swing dance downtown for the first time, and had a great time. Afterwards everyone was invited to the swing instructor's house for some more dancing. It was fantastic. Also, a lot of touring companies for Broadway shows come to Rochester. This year we had The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Avenue Q, Wicked, among others. There's a good amount of community theater to get involved in, including the RIT Players, RIT's biggest theater group. This year we did a musical: On The Twentieth Century. Our tech crew is fabulous, as one would expect from a technical institute.
Cassie Freshman
The best thing about RIT is its facilities, between the gym and from personal experience as a former photography major - RIT has it all! One thing I would change about RIT is the parking. I feel that there should be less reserved parking, and that parking passes should not cost as much as it does. I feel that the school is neither too big nor too small, it's just right like "baby bear." I feel that there are plenty of people and types of personalities where you can never get bored and you have the ability to make a new friend every day. When I tell people that I go to RIT their immediate reaction is either, "Good school," or "You must be pretty smart," which helps boost the confidence. I spend most of my time on campus pretty evenly between the library, the liberal arts building, the Student Alumni Union, and the RITZone (an eatery under the SAU). We are in the process of building a college town. I'm torn on the issue of RIT's administration - the issue of money is always brought up with any and every RIT student. I can't remember the biggest and most recent controversy, but last year we had a student that ended up in the news because he had a weapon in his room at the RIT Inn, and it was directly after the Virginia Tech shooting. School pride is evident on campus when there are sporting events or competitions, such as the Ranger Challenges that the Army ROTC cadets participate in every year. I don't feel that there is anything especially unusual about RIT, but I believe its diversity is something that other schools don't have when I compare colleges with my friends and family members. My number one, favorite experience I will ALWAYS remember is meeting my fiance. He and I were both considering other colleges, and RIT won us both over for other reasons, but we were both the cherries on top of our decisions! The most frequent complaints are tuition prices, the lack of non-reserved parking spaces, and the two-week break at Thanksgiving, instead of adding that second week onto Christmas break.
Courtney Junior
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