Early Decision

Act Sooner. Know Earlier.

If RIT is your 1st choice university, apply Early Decision to bring some certainty to your plans.

Get notified sooner in the admissions process

You’ll be notified earlier than Early Action and Regular Decision applicants. While Early Decision is binding, students hear about their decision and get the necessary information about affordability before making a final commitment to RIT.

Receive early notification of your merit and financial aid offer

Have all the facts before you make your college decision. You’ll have merit scholarship and financial aid information from RIT before submitting your enrollment deposit.

Stand out from the crowd

Admission acceptance rates tend to be higher in Early Decision since there is a smaller pool of applicants.

Change your mind? Our early decision plans are friendly.

If you apply for Early Decision and determine we are not affordable, you can request to be moved from the Early Decision plan. Learn more about our policy

Start Your Application
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students Start Your Application
Interpreting Students

View All 9 Reasons to Apply

Early Decision Application Deadlines

Early Decision I

Application Deadline: November 1
RIT Financial Aid Application Priority Filing Date (Application opens October 1): November 1
Decision Notification: Mid-December
FAFSA Priority Filing Date (Application opens December 1): January 15
Deposit Deadline: January 15

Early Decision II

Application Deadline: January 1
RIT Financial Aid Application Priority Filing Date (Application opens October 1): January 1
FAFSA Priority Filing Date (Application opens December 1): January 15
Decision Notification: Mid-January
Deposit Deadline: February 15

"I was confident in identifying RIT as my first-choice college. I was attracted to the sense of community and a culture that accepts everyone for who they are. I was sold on the amazing co-op opportunities; having a place where I could continue to develop my interests in art, coding, and robotics; and the reduced tuition for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

I didn’t consider Early Decision until I met with my admissions counselor, and I’m so glad I took her advice. Once I got my Early Decision acceptance, I felt a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I enjoyed the rest of my senior year a lot more knowing that I didn’t have to worry about where I’d be going to college.

I’m so glad I applied Early Decision. I’ve had the opportunity to meet more deaf people than I have in my entire life, and because of the access services I get I can follow and understand what’s being said in the classroom. It’s been such a positive experience."

Cleo Cheng
Human-Centered Computing

9 Reasons to Apply Early Decision

It shows RIT you’re serious about joining our community
You’ll stand out in a smaller applicant pool
There’s no financial risk – you’ll review your scholarship and financial aid offer before making a final decision
It’s advantageous for students interested in highly competitive majors such as Computing, Engineering, Gaming, Physician Assistant, and Film and Animation
You’ll receive earlier notification about eligibility for exclusive opportunities including Honors Program, Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees, Performing Arts Scholars, ArtEx, and more
You’ll receive priority selection for campus housing
Get exclusive events invites – there’s a VIP event just for Early Decision accepted students
Receive your accepted student swag early and show your Tiger pride
You’ll be in good company – each year, about one-third of our entering class trusts and commits to RIT through Early Decision

Receiving an Aid Assessment

The 2025-26 FAFSA is not available until December 1. Due to this delay, the RIT Financial Aid Application will need to be completed for Early Decision students seeking need-based aid.

You’re automatically considered for merit-based aid.

Admitted Early Decision applicants will automatically be reviewed for merit-based scholarships. Those who file an RIT Financial Aid Application will also be reviewed for need-based financial aid before the enrollment deposit deadline.
Early Decision applicants interested in need-based funding from RIT can receive a financial aid assessment before submitting their enrollment deposit.
To receive a financial aid assessment, applicants are required to submit RIT’s Financial Aid Application by November 1 for Early Decision I applicants and by January 1 for Early Decision II applicants. Early Decision students will receive their financial aid assessment shortly after if they are admitted and the application is received. RIT’s Financial Aid Application will be available for applicants to complete in their admissions portal starting October 1.

When the 2025-26 FAFSA opens on December 1, Early Decision students will have until January 15 to complete the FAFSA and receive a confirmed financial aid offer. In most cases if the information on the FAFSA and the RIT Financial Aid Application is similar, aid eligibility will remain the same. In exceptional cases where the information is not similar, differences will be indicated.

The RIT Financial Aid Application opens October 1.
A link will be provided at this time.

Your family is encouraged to work with your assigned Financial Aid Counselor to assist you through the financial aid process. If you and your family determine that RIT is not an affordable choice, you should contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office so you may be released from the Early Decision plan.

Our Early Decision Policy

Early Decision plans differ from school to school so it is important to understand the differences before you make a decision on how to apply.

Our early decision plans are “friendly”

Early Decision is binding. However, if after reviewing your aid offer you determine that RIT isn't financially feasible, you can request to be released from the Early Decision agreement. We're committed to ensuring that RIT is the right fit for you, both academically and financially.

Upon committing to RIT, you’ll need to withdraw other applications

Once you decide to accept RIT’s offer of admission, you should submit your $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit on or before the deadline to confirm your intention to enroll. At this time, you should withdraw your applications from all other colleges/universities.

If you’re not accepted through Early Decision or to your first choice program, there are other options

If you are not accepted through Early Decision, in most cases, you will be asked to submit mid-year senior grades and will be reviewed a second time with applicants in the Regular Decision plan. Early Decision applicants who are accepted to an alternate (second or third-choice) program of study may request to be released from the conditions of Early Decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I applied Regular Decision, can I switch to Early Decision?

You may switch from Regular Decision to Early Decision as long as the deadline for the early decision plan you intend to switch to has not passed.

What is the difference between Early Decision I and Early Decision II?

While the timelines to apply and commit are different, the other benefits and policies are the same. Early Decision II applicants typically select this option because they discover RIT is their top choice university after the November 1 deadline for Early Decision I has passed.

What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action?

Early Decision I and II are for students who are certain RIT is their top choice and can apply by November 1 or January 1. Early Action is for students who are excited about RIT, ready to apply early, and want to hear back sooner but want more time to make their final decision. Early Action is non-binding. If accepted, students can still consider other schools until May 1. This option shows your strong interest in RIT while keeping your options open.

If I apply Early Decision, when will I receive my admissions decision?

Early Decision I applicants are notified by mid-December. Early Decision II applicants are notified by mid-January.

Is RIT Early Decision binding?

Early Decision is binding. However, if after reviewing your aid offer you determine that RIT isn't financially feasible, you can request to be released from the Early Decision agreement. We're committed to ensuring that RIT is the right fit for you, both academically and financially. Once you accept our offer and pay your enrollment deposit, you should withdraw your applications from other colleges.