Advising

Your counselor/academic advisor will provide guidance in meeting your program requirements, selecting electives, and help you answer questions or find solutions to any problems you may have related to your academic progress.

If you experience any problems related to your course work, remember that the best time to see your counselor/academic advisor is before problems get too big so that the two of you can decide on a course of action to solve them while they are more easily manageable.

Each semester, you should plan to meet with your counselor/advisor during the 5th week, before your Shopping Cart opens.

Your counselor/academic advisor has posted office hours each semester when she will be available to meet with you. To schedule an appointment, access your Starfish Home page by logging in to SIS or myCourses and clicking on the Starfish icon.

Advising is one of the most important services for students. Advising offers a wealth of knowledge that can help you navigate the RIT system. Your counselor/academic advisor assists you by collaborating with you to identify, plan for, and achieve your personal, academic, and career goals. Your advisor is well informed about the RIT resources available to you and provides you with accurate and timely information. Advising is a team effort:   your advisor will provide the support and information you need to make decisions about your education and promote your taking responsibility for your academic success.

Advisors do more than help students register for classes. Your advisor cares about you as a whole person and is here to guide you, to listen, and to motivate you when you need some extra encouragement. In many ways, the counselor/academic advisor is a teacher and facilitator. Your advisor assists you in planning your educational career, in learning the skills needed for academic success, and in learning how to access the resources and services that are available to you on the RIT campus.

Advisors are resources who serve as guides through academic choices, policies, and requirements. During the advising session, you will discuss upcoming courses and degree requirements based on your current coursework, your commitments outside of RIT, and your intended educational goals. Your advisor may make recommendations, but the ultimate decision rests with you.

What will your counselor/academic advisor do to assist you in achieving your goals?

• Create and maintain an interactive environment that encourages mutual trust and open communication

• Listen to your concerns and respect your individual values and choices

• Help you learn about RIT

• Assist with the transition from high school to college, from workforce to college, or in transferring from another college

• Provide current academic information

• Clearly explain academic major, General Education, and graduation requirements

• Suggest courses, minors, and concentrations based on your interests and career goals

• Support you in the development of a plan of study

• Let you make final decisions about your course of study

• Encourage you

• Assist you in developing decision-making, time management, and study skills

• Help you develop a plan for a balanced and realistic schedule

• Help you resolve problems and deal with confidential situations (whether in or outside of the classroom)

• Empower you to take responsibility for your academic success

• Offer referrals to relevant resources on campus and in the community

• Help you develop and implement plans to improve academic performance

• Monitor your progress toward graduation

• Answer your questions!

We strongly encourage you to visit your advisor each semester. Your advisor is pleased to meet with you at any time to assist you in navigating RIT’s student services, to discuss your successes, doubts, struggles, and future goals, and to refer you to the proper professionals whenever you can benefit from their assistance.

• Clarify personal values and goals, and provide your advisor with accurate information regarding your interests and abilities.

• Identify achievable academic goals.

• Read and re-read available academic materials.

• Check your RIT email account daily.

• Schedule appointments with your advisor at least once a semester—and keep them.

• Communicate openly and honestly with your academic advisor regarding issues that affect your educational goals and academic performance.

• Take responsibility for your academic success by utilizing the tools provided, including the undergraduate catalogue, RIT and Interpreting program web sites, Student Progress Report Form, Interpreting Program Plan of Study, and the RIT academic calendar.

• Become knowledgeable about your degree requirements, department policies, and University deadlines.

• Keep your Student Progress Report Form up to date and file it in your orange advising folder.

• Organize official documents in your orange advising folder in a way that enables you to access them when needed.

• Always bring your orange advising folder with you when meeting with your advisor.

• Tell your advisor about successes and problems in courses; discuss academic issues before they become problems.

• Be open and willing to consider advice from your advisor.

• Ask questions. Ask! Ask! Ask!

My Commitment to Success:

As an RIT student, I have the potential to achieve success and avoid failure. I can succeed if I have the will to succeed. I will accomplish my goals and fulfill my dreams. The only limits I face are the limits of my own efforts. To realize my full potential and accomplish all that I am capable of, I will:

•    Use my time effectively

•    Ask for help when I need it

•    Accept responsibility for my own actions

•    Remember that "Success doesn't come to you—you go to it."

I will succeed at RIT because my future depends on it. Earning a university degree will enhance the quality of my life and enable me to improve the lives of others.

Practicum & Seminar

Student Bill of Rights

Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution

Welcome to the Class of 2028!

The start of your first semester at RIT is a very exciting time, but it may also seem a bit overwhelming. Most students experience a jolt—sometimes exhilarating, sometimes shattering—in making the transition between high school and college. No doubt you are experiencing many emotions ranging from excitement to confusion. It will take you a little while to adjust to your courses, your professors, and your new living accommodations.

Your counselor/academic advisor is here to help you with this transition. Make an effort to meet with your advisor sometime during your first semester.

As you move further into the semester, you will realize the expectation of your instructors is different than it was in high school. You will also find that the expectations you have of yourself will begin to change. With the selection of courses now available to you, your interests will broaden. You will become a more independent thinker. Embrace the opportunity to learn new things. You are responsible for making educated choices. Obtain accurate information and make the most of this wonderful learning opportunity.

If this is your first year, use this page to start learning about what to do next.

Freshman Student Checklist

• Attend the ASL-English Interpretation Program New Student Orientation.

• New Student Checklist (information about housing, RIT computer accounts, registering your vehicle, and obtaining an RIT ID card)

• For scholarship or financial aid information, contact the RIT Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

• Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor.

AP Credit

Students who have taken advanced placement (AP) courses in high school may receive college credit for courses if their AP exam score is 3 or above. To view Transfer Credit Equivalencies, click here. To request AP credit for courses taken in high school, request that a copy of your AP scores be sent to:

Rochester Institute of Technology

Office of the Registrar

27 Lomb Memorial Drive

Rochester, NY 14623-5603

Early Alert

By the fifth week of the semester, your instructor will have enough information to inform you of your academic progress. If you are in academic difficulty, an evaluation is emailed directly to you; this is called an "Early Alert." An Early Alert identifies the problem and offers a possible solution. Frequently, it is suggested that you meet with your instructor and your academic advisor as soon as possible. This email is automatically copied to your Year One coach, academic advisor, and the ASLIE department chair.

Communication

NTID is a Deaf environment. In order for everyone to have open access to communication, every student, faculty, and staff member is expected show their respect by communicating in sign language to the best of their abilities in all public places, including the LBJ building and the CSD Student Development Center.

Tips for Student Success:

• Attend your classes. Remember, in the words of Woody Allen, "Seventy percent of success in life is showing up."

• Know your faculty. Make sure you know who your teachers are, when their office hours are, and how to contact them.

• Make sure the faculty know you. Sit in the front of the classroom. Participate in class discussions. Consult with your teachers during office hours.

• Start studying as soon as classes begin. Don’t fall behind on assignments. Plan to spend at least two hours studying for every one hour in class. Remember: ASL and interpreting course assignments may require more time than your other classes; check with your instructor in the beginning of the semester to learn how much time you will need to complete your homework.

• Use a daily planner. Note the dates of exams, assignments, and term papers. Do not make travel plans during final exam week.

• Be organized. Prioritize your responsibilities. Manage your time. Remember: everyone has the same 168 hours a week, only some of us use them better than others.

• Know your campus resources. Become familiar with the Wallace Library, the ASL Learning Center, the NTID Learning Center, and other resource centers.

• Take care of your health. Get enough sleep. Eat well-balanced meals. Exercise regularly. Make informed and mature decisions about alcohol, sex, and drugs. Visit the Student Health Center as needed.

• Work only as necessary. Be aware that some of your homework for your ASL and interpreting courses may require that you meet with a tutor or attend events in the local Deaf community. Attend the first class and find out the time required for homework assignments (including watching and recording videos) and the tutor schedule before you decide on your work schedule. Apply for financial aid and loans if you need them. Manage your expenses very carefully.

• Get involved in campus activities. As an involved member of the RIT community, you can:

  • Meet new people and make friends

  • Spread Tiger spirit

  • Connect with faculty and staff

  • Gain real-life experience

  • Learn valuable leadership and social skills

  • Create college memories

  • Make a difference at RIT

• Keep your eyes on the prize. Clarify your goals. Know why you are in college in the first place. Visualize your success on a daily basis.

Welcome to the BSI program! We’re glad you’ve chosen to study with us. If you are transferring from outside RIT, you should first consult the Undergraduate Admissions Office with particular attention to information for accepted students. Any questions concerning class standing should be directed to the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

All new transfer students are required to meet with the BSI program academic advisor and attend an orientation session before they can register for their first semester at RIT. Classes at RIT can fill quickly! Don't delay meeting with your advisor and attending an orientation, or the classes you want to take may be full.

Transfer Credit Evaluation

Courses taken at a regionally accredited college or university may be eligible for transfer credit to RIT. Students must have earned a "C" grade or better in the course and the course and the grade must appear on an official transcript. Students are required to send an official transcript to the RIT Registrar at:

Rochester Institute of Technology

Office of the Registrar

27 Lomb Memorial Drive

Rochester, NY 14623-5603

Note: if your transcript does not include grades for the most recent courses taken, you may have to ask your previous college to send the RIT Office of the Registrar an updated transcript after final grades have been posted.

Transfer Student Checklist

• New Student Checklist (information about housing, RIT computer accounts, registering your vehicle, and obtaining an RIT ID card)

• For scholarship or financial aid information, contact the RIT Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

• Schedule an appointment with your counselor/academic advisor.

• Request final transcript to be sent from your transferring college to the Office of the Registrar.

• Start studying as soon as classes begin. Don’t fall behind on assignments. Plan to spend at least two hours studying for every one hour in class.
  
  Remember:  ASL and interpreting course assignments may require more time than your other classes; check with your instructor in the beginning of the semester to learn how much time you will need to complete your homework.

• Work only as necessary. Be aware that some of your homework for your ASL and interpreting courses may require you to meet with a tutor or attend events in the local Deaf community. Attend the first class and find out the time required for homework assignments (including watching and recording videos) and the tutor schedule before you decide on your work schedule.

Meet With Your Academic Advisor

After submitting your transcript to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, make an appointment with the Interpretation program counselor/academic advisor. Your advisor will:

• Work with you to schedule your ASL and/or interpreting skill assessment before classes begin.

• Review transfer credit awarded

• Explain degree and graduation requirements

• Assist you in developing your plan of study and project your tentative course progression through graduation

• Register you for your first semester courses and show you how to use the RIT online registration system

• Provide you with information on RIT online and campus resources

Early Alert

By the fifth week of the semester, your instructor will have enough information to inform you of your academic progress. If you are in academic difficulty, an evaluation is emailed directly to you; this is called an "Early Alert." An Early Alert identifies the problem and offers a possible solution. Frequently, it is suggested that you meet with your instructor and your academic advisor as soon as possible. This email is automatically copied to your academic advisor and the ASLIE department chair.

Communication

NTID is a Deaf environment. In order for everyone to have open access to communication, every student, faculty, and staff member is expected show their respect by communicating in sign language to the best of their abilities in all public places, including the LBJ building and the CSD Student Development Center.

Congratulations on your progress thus far! As you continue your interpreting education, there are several resources on campus to help you achieve success. Your academic advisor can answer many of your questions and can also refer you to a multitude of offices and services across campus.

Transfer Credit

If you are considering taking courses at another college or university during summer and transferring that course to RIT, you must meet with your academic advisor and obtain confirmation that the courses will fit into your program and be accepted for transfer credit. Your academic advisor approves math, science, and department courses. The Liberal Arts Student Services Office, on the second floor of the Liberal Arts Building, approves Liberal Arts courses.

Second- and Third-Year Student Checklist

• Begin thinking about your future career goals so you can make relevant choices in your General Education courses and your Liberal Arts minor/concentration.

• Regularly record course grades on your Student Progress Report Form.

• Update your personal information in the SIS system.

• Review your Financial Aid and Scholarship awards.

• Before registering for classes, check SIS for any holds.

• Meet with your Counselor/Academic Advisor at least once a semester. This is especially important for third-year students, who need to make sure they are on track to complete their degrees.

• Meet with your Counselor/Academic Advisor to discuss your Liberal Arts minor or concentration.

• During Fall semester, fill out the FAFSA application for next year.

• Meet with the BSI Practicum Coordinator to discuss practicum placement (third-year students only).

• Consider participating in a Study Abroad program.

• Consider developing your leadership skills by participating in RIT Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement workshops, courses, or certificate programs.

Welcome to your senior year at RIT! The senior year can be one of your busiest years, but is exciting as you complete your coursework, present your poster session for the Issues in Interpreting class, get a taste of the working world in your practicum, register for the NIC Knowledge Test, and apply to graduate school or look for a job.

The Commencement website provides a schedule of events and information to help you and your family plan to celebrate your achievement.

Senior Checklist

• Think about what you want to do after graduation. Do you want to look for a job or apply directly to graduate school? Maybe you would like to take some time off and travel or do volunteer work. Whatever decision you make, a significant part of your time this year will be devoted to preparing for "life after RIT." Your decision may also affect which courses you choose or how heavy of a course load you take each semester. Your academic advisor will be glad to assist you in making plans.

• Check your Student Progress Report to see what graduation requirements remain to be completed. Make your course selections accordingly.

• Update your personal information in the SIS system.

• Review your Financial Aid and Scholarship awards.

• Before registering for classes, check SIS for any holds.

• Early in Spring semester, order your cap and gown.

• Visit Info for Grads for information on applying for graduation, obtaining cap and gown, and ordering class rings and diploma frames.

• Familiarize yourself with the many benefits and services that are available to RIT alumni. We especially recommend the RIT alumni email forwarding address that is available as part of the Online Community.

• Complete the ASLIE Senior Satisfaction Survey.

• Provide your personal email address to your academic advisor so the department can stay connected with you.