The Rochester Institute of Technology

My major is Information Technology at RIT. It is perhaps one of the best colleges in the US for the computer sciences. However, being a technical school, RIT so far has not taught how to create or innovate. So far all I have seen is them teaching us how to jump through hoops like throughout high school. In some departments, the faculty is great and can really help out with any questions you may have. Other times, the professor is just horrible and can't speak english well enough to teach or gives a ridiculous amount of busywork.

Social atmosphere is pretty bad. The campus is realitively closed off unless you have a car and even then, the city of Rochester and the surrounding areas of RIT don't provide much help. There are a couple of restaurants and some strip malls but that's about it. Parties happen every weekend and are generally open... but you really have to know the right people to know about them and the only thing to do at most RIT parties is binge drink. The rest of the time you'll see people just sitting in front of the computers or in their dorms because there is really nothing else to do. Many of the students are close-minded and more concerned about concentrating on their small areas of life than looking at the bigger picture. Being from NYC, I found myself much more in tune with the international students who were more open-minded to the world in general.

Most of the students are disheartened and the place really is a drain on your spirit. I found myself wanting to continue only to finish the class and go on break back home. If you live only for your work and want to major in one of the computing sciences, RIT is for you. Otherwise apply elsewhere or transfer as I plan on doing once I can find another college in the Northeast that has something similar to Information Technology.

1st Year Male -- Class 2006

Education Quality: A, Innovation: F

My 2.25 years here have been absolutely miserable. In fact, I hate it so much I'm transferring after this quarter. People here live for their computers. They live glued to their computers. Computers are life. Combine the unhealthy computer obsessions with the crap weather and it's a wonder if you have any human interaction on campus at all. This place is basically a glorified trade school; students and teachers alike focus on getting a degree so you can get a job, ignoring any attempt at getting a well-rounded education. Trust me, man, don't come here. Unless, of course, you REALLY love your computer.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2004

Collaboration/Competitive: B+, Useful Schoolwork: F