Choosing RIT was one of the best decisions I could have ever made. I'll be honest. RIT was not even on my radar when I was looking for schools. Why? Part of the reason is that I am a local Rochesterian, and wanted to go out of state. Another reason was my desire to attend an art school in NYC.
So, how did I choose RIT? Well, after receiving acceptance letters, I did some serious research. I compared financial aid from all the schools I applied to. I also looked into each program and tried to gather as much information about the programs as possible - like internships, what graduates are doing now, how the program is run, how well it is developed, etc.
After comparing all of the things I was concerned about, I came to realize that RIT was my best shot. This decision was not based on the co-op/internship opportunities, nor the financial aid. Believe it or not, RIT not only has some of the best engineering programs, but RIT also has some of the best design programs in the nation! I was stunned to find this out. RIT having one of the top ten design schools in the nation was crazy because all I heard about the college was engineering this and engineering that. Who would have thought I landed a school where I could pursue science and math if I chose to do so.
The culture was another selling point for me. Before you make any rash judgments, though, hear me out! I had never been on a campus where students are challenged to do more, to innovate, to create, to do almost anything they imagine. We even have an innovation and creativity festival, ImagineRIT, each spring. Anyway, in every class I have taken, professors challenge your thinking, they ask you questions that you don't know how to answer. Eventually, it gives you a new perspective that you could have never pieced together until that very moment.
We also have one of the number one think tanks in the nation within RIT's Simon Center for Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It is a place where magic happens! Seriously. Students have the opportunity to start up businesses while at school, be it through an entrepreneurship class or through competitions like Tiger Tank. Whatever idea you may have or prototype you may have created, head on down and make your business a reality. I am not kidding when I say students graduate with an up and running company. I remember the first time I stepped foot into the Simon Center and was stunned by how so many companies had started within those walls. You could feel the creative energy oozing from the place. Like I said: Magic!
And that brings me to the students. The students I have met while attending RIT are spectacular human beings. They either have these enormous dreams that they plan on making reality, or they have achieved the improbable. At RIT, students start businesses; they have exhibits for their artwork; they invest their time in research; they present at national conferences. They amaze me with their accomplishments and it only pushes me to do something just as amazing.
Sometimes I reflect on my journey to where I am today. Honestly, if I could do it all over again, I would choose RIT. Even though RIT was not the top choice for me when I was looking at colleges, I am happy with my decision to come here.