Overview
Overview
Who We Are
The Honors Program helps students live into their potential, and prepare for a life with purpose
The RIT Honors Program is dedicated to providing educational richness that promotes an enterprising spirit and creative approaches to modern challenges by combining professional development at a high-tech university with attention to the impact that decisions have on our shared society and individual humanity. We position students to meet the nuanced problems of a rapidly changing and complex world as responsible citizens, dynamic professionals, and positive leaders.
Honors students enjoy learning, and take pride in their work. They often harbor a restive curiosity and a creative flair, and thrive in a high-caliber academic environment. They share a common sense that community is important, and a desire to contribute to the betterment of people.
The Honors Program wants you to learn, excel, and give back. We ask that our students do at least one honors-level academic activity each year and accumulate at least 15 Honors points by graduation, complete 20 hours of Complementary Learning annually, and maintain a strong GPA.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions issues invitations to a small fraction of accepted students. Current RIT students may be eligible to be invited to apply for admission to the Honors Program as Internal Admit students.
Learn more about the admissions process >
How We Help
Students in the Honors Program prepare themselves to launch into the future, and we want to help. Here are some of the ways we do.
Early Registration
Students in the Honors Program register for classes one day in advance of their peers. That helps you design your schedule around honors courses that you want to take, and get into preferred sections of other courses you want.
Free Course Overloads
Students in the Honors Program can register for up to 24 credits per semester without any additional charge. This helps them to finish quicker, and do more. Students in the Honors Program often complete a second minor, or even a second major!
Grants
The Honors Program supports study abroad, research, conference attendance, and projects by providing each student in the Honors Program with a $500 grant (whether used in small chunks, or all at once).
Research and Professional Development
The Honors Program offers students the opportunity to work directly with faculty on applied and interdisciplinary research projects and supports cooperative education experiences and internships for Honors students.
Honors Advising
The Honors Program office and each college have experienced staff and faculty members dedicated to serving as advisors and advocates for students in the Honors Program. They work with students one-on-one, advising them as they develop plans for courses and schedules as well as professional and experiential learning opportunities. Learn more about Honors staff and advocates respectively.
Honors Housing
Living in Honors housing allows students to build a close-knit community and bond with other students in the Program. Honors students are guaranteed housing in Carleton Gibson Hall for their entire time at RIT. In addition to the perks of living among other students in the Honors Program, a number of Honors events are held in Gibson, making living here very convenient.
The Honors community is my favorite part of the program. I love being able to surround myself with other hard-working and dedicated students and campus leaders.
Xander Rohring
New Media Marketing major
Connections
People want to meet RIT Honors students, and the Honors Program works to facilitate those meetings. The Honors Advocates in each college plan professional development trips and networking events, we connect students with nationally known speakers, and many of our alumni have stayed connected to the Honors Program. They provide mentoring, and are eager to "give back" by talking with students who are moving through co-op or entering the permanent workforce.
Saunders Graduate Program Scholarship
RIT Honors students applying to Saunders College of Business graduate programs can now qualify for a 50% scholarship and apply for a GMAT/GRE waiver. This applies to all applicants who successfully complete the requirements of the RIT Honors Program upon certification and are accepted into Saunders College. If you are interested in learning more about the scholarship and GMAT/GRE waiver incentives for RIT Honors students, set up an appointment with Matt Cornwell, Assistant Director of Student Services and Outreach, or attend a Graduate Information Session.
