Graduate FAQs

All applicants to RIT’s graduate programs must hold (or currently be completing) a four-year baccalaureate degree, or the U.S. equivalent, granted by an accredited college or university. View graduate admission deadlines and requirements by degree

RIT requires a $65 application fee for applicants other than RIT alumni and current students within one school year of completing another RIT program. Your application fee can be paid within your admissions portal.

Each graduate department makes its own admission decisions on its own schedule. You will be notified of your admission status, as soon as possible. For information concerning the decision status of your completed application, or for further information about application procedures, contact your Admissions Counselor.

Although you may upload scanned copies of official academic documents to your online application, if you’re admitted, you will need to send official hard copy transcripts/degree certificates to RIT.

Notarized copies are not considered official academic documents. Academic documents (photocopies or originals) must be attested (bearing an original colored stamp and/or signature) by the granting college or university. Unfortunately, we cannot accept notarized documents.

View graduate application instructions and requirements

If you feel that your academic credentials are not the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree, we recommend an academic credential evaluation to determine the exact U.S. degree equivalency.

Generally, no, an international credential evaluation is NOT required for admission to graduate programs at RIT. However, our office will conduct a review of your academic documents when received and if we DO NOT believe that your educational background is the equivalent of a 4 year U.S. bachelor's degree, we may suggest that you have your credentials reviewed by one of the agencies listed below.

• International Education Research Foundation Inc.
• World Education Services
• Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute Inc.
• Educational Credentials Evaluators Inc.

For detailed application deadline information about your specific program of interest, please refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements. Many programs accept applications on a rolling basis.

Decisions on graduate selection are made by the college offering the program. All applicants will be notified of the admission decision as soon as possible. All credentials are considered in the application decision – transcripts, GPA, official test scores (English language scores, GMAT, GRE), personal statement, and resume. In addition, some programs require portfolios, writing samples, and letters of recommendation. Work experience is NOT required for most programs.  For detailed admissions requirements for your specific program of interest, please refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements and refer to your graduate program web page.

For specific entrance requirements for your particular program of interest, please refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements.

The Office of Graduate Enrollment Admissions Counselors can provide general information, but not an admission decision.  Admission decisions are made by the college and an admissions committee for your program.

As soon as you submit your application and we receive and evaluate your complete application packet your application will be sent to the graduate program admissions committee for review and an admission decision. You can contact our Office of Graduate Enrollment Services by email, our online chat, or by phone to discuss your application and background. Again, we can provide general information, but not an admission decision.

Applications for some of RIT's programs are accepted on a rolling basis, which means applicants are reviewed all year.  RIT is on a semester-based calendar.  To identify what programs are offered on a rolling basis or are offered for specific terms please refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements.

Minimum TOEFL scores vary by program. Please refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for specific minimum test score requirements. If your TOEFL score falls below the minimum, consider starting English language courses at RIT’s English Language Center. 

Additional information about test scores including exams accepted, how to submit scores, test requirement waivers, and more can be found in the English Language Test Scores section of Application Materials.

In addition to meeting the overall minimum total scores, each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses. For example, if the minimum TOEFL score for your program is 88, you would need to score 22 or higher in each of the sub-score categories (listening, reading, writing, speaking) to avoid any English language courses.

Our programs typically do not state a minimum GMAT score. A minimum GMAT score is not the only criterion for admission to the RIT business programs. In evaluating an application, the graduate admissions committee pays careful attention to each individual's undergraduate academic record, GMAT score, and personal statement.

Our programs typically do not state a minimum GRE score.  A score range for admitted students is sometimes provided and certainly, will vary by program. Your GRE score is not the only criterion for admission. The admissions committee will consider each individual's academic record, personal statement and all other application credentials submitted along with the application. Not all graduate programs require the GRE for admission - Please refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for specific test score requirements.

Admissions decisions are not made solely on GRE or GMAT scores. The scores provide us with another measure of your academic ability, and also gives us a way to evaluate undergraduate preparation from schools with which we may not be familiar. The test score is just one of several possible assessments and is not a criterion by which we accept or reject applicants. The admissions committee will consider each individual's academic record, personal statement and all other application credentials submitted along with the application.

You may submit ONE application and request to be reviewed for 3 programs. When using our online application, you may select up to three program choices in order of preference. You will be reviewed for your first choice. If admitted, you will not be reviewed for additional program choices except by request. If not admitted to your first choice, your application will be reviewed for your other program choices, sequentially.

Yes. You may submit ONE application and request to be reviewed for 3 programs. When using our online application, you may select up to three program choices in order of preference. You will be reviewed for your first choice. If admitted, you will not be reviewed for additional program choices except by request. If not admitted to your first choice, your application will be reviewed for your other program choices, sequentially.  If you wish to be considered for programs that are not listed as choices on your application, please submit any requests for additional review by sending an email to gradinfo@rit.edu.  Please include your application number/reference ID.

Yes. Please submit any requests to change your application program choices by sending an email to gradinfo@rit.edu.  Please include your application number/reference ID.

Recommendation letters should be submitted directly to RIT from the referee/person writing the letter for you. The preferred method for the submission of recommendation letters is to use the functionality within the online application. You will be able to enter information for your referees and submit an email request for letters through the online application. This is the preferred submission method by RIT Admissions Committee members. A letter that is sent directly to RIT and not viewed or sent to RIT by the applicant will be deemed to be more valid and trustworthy. Letters may also be emailed directly by referees to gradinfo@rit.edu or sent by postal mail to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services by the referees.

Typically, two or three letters of recommendation are required for admission to all RIT graduate programs except those offered by the College of Business. Recommendations should come from members of the academic community and/or workplace professionals who know your qualifications for graduate study. Review the Admissions Requirements section of your degree page for specific requirements.

Nine-digit student ID numbers are included in your admission letter. Admission letters are sent to applicants through your Application Portal.

When uploading your supporting documents to the online application, checklists are not automatically updated. All documents must first be verified by our office and then logged on our system, manually. During our peak periods, we receive hundreds of application documents each day, so it takes us a bit longer to update checklists. Please be patient and feel free to check with us by email or LIVE chat for an update.

RIT’s policy for transferring credit from a non-RIT university can be found in section II.B of the University Policies.

If, due to unusual circumstances, you are unable to attend RIT in the term you have been admitted, you may be able to defer your admission to a future term. Admitted students may defer their offer of admission one time and may request a deferral for up to one year. Defers will require that the student has confirmed their enrollment indicating they have accepted the offer of admission and paid the tuition deposit, when applicable. Approval for the deferral of the admission also requires the approval of the Graduate Program Director. Email Graduate Admissions at gradinfo@rit.edu, if you have additional questions.