What Students Say
Likes
- Amazing Campus
- Good connectivity to the city
- Course is very detailed and perfectly made
Dislikes
- Rochester is a little isolated no social life
- All about studying
- Connectivity to other cities is very bad
Course Curriculum
- The Packaging Science curriculum at RIT balances theory and practical learning, with a moderate to challenging difficulty level. Classes focus on real-world skills, enhanced by labs, projects, and experienced faculty.
- With 15-30 students per class and about 20-30% Indian students, it fosters diversity. Classes run 8 AM-5 PM, 2-3 daily. Positives include industry relevance and facilities; negatives involve an intense pace.
Admission Experience
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I just wanted to do a major in a very niche course. My options were Michigan state university, Clemson University and Rochester Institute of technology.
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I applied only at Rochester Institute of Technology and the main factors were the industrial tie ups and the placement scenarios.
Research opportunities were also an important consideration for me.
So I went ahead with RIT and only applied to that college -
I chose RIT as I had a waiver on GRE. They just required an IELTS score of more than 7 and decent experience in the field of packaging.
main factors were the industrial tie ups and the placement scenarios.
Research opportunities were also an important consideration for me.
So I went ahead with RIT and only applied to that college.
Admission process was very smooth, they had counsellors and student reps assigned at every step and also had orientations when we reached the campus. -
I applied to the Fall 2024 intake. I wanted to leave as soon as I finished my undergraduate so I went with fall 2024. From applying till the decision all this took around 1 month and then I had my decision letter sent on the uni portal.
Application was very easy. They asked about all the exams, language proficiency, LoRs, SOPs, Resume and other documents.
After initial review, decision was made and sent through portals
Faculty
- RIT’s 13:1 faculty-to-student ratio ensures personalized attention, fostering strong faculty-student interactions.
- Teaching blends theory, labs, and projects, preparing students for jobs. Faculty often assist with job placements through industry connections.
- Professors like Chris Donnelley, Changfeng Ge stand out for integrating real-world practices, enhancing career readiness and learning.
Campus Life
- RIT has one main campus in Rochester, NY. Facilities include a vast library, sports arenas, fitness centers, and medical services.
- Key events include Imagine RIT and Brick City Weekend.
- Popular clubs cover robotics, dance, and cultural groups. Extracurriculars span intramural sports, art workshops, and student organizations, offering vibrant social and cultural engagement.
Part Time Jobs
- Most students at RIT secure TA, RA, GA, or other on-campus jobs. TA/RA/GA roles pay $15-$18/hour, while other jobs, like dining, library, or tech support, offer similar rates. Students can work up to 20 hours weekly.
- Jobs are competitive but accessible with early applications and networking. The abundance of opportunities ensures almost everyone finds a position.
- Most Indian students at RIT prefer working in dining services or as TAs, GAs, or RAs. Hourly wages range from $15 to $18, depending on the role. Securing part-time work is competitive but manageable with early applications.
- Students apply through the RIT Job Zone portal, submit resumes, and may attend interviews. Networking with peers and professors also helps secure roles efficiently.
Placement
- RIT’s Packaging Science program has a 100% placement rate, with salaries ranging from $65,000-$85,000 annually. Students secure jobs via internships, campus recruitment, networking, and online portals.
- Top employers include Amazon, P&G, Coca-Cola, and Unilever, offering roles in design, sustainability, and testing. Internships often lead to full-time offers.
Accommodation
- I chose Apex Apartments, an off-campus accommodation closest to RIT. Rent is $900-$1100/month with utilities, gym, and laundry included.
- Found via Discord groups and online searches.
- Challenges included limited availability and coordinating with roommates. Start early and check lease terms. Apex is 5-10 minutes from campus and popular among Indian students.
Exams
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For other specialisations, a GRE and IELTS/TOEFL are required and also a statement of purpose, 2 letters of recommendations are needed.
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These things help the college understand your profile. A Harvard template resume is suggested as it is the standard format used here in the USA.
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I didn’t have any interviews where as some students were given a mandatory English course if they didn’t get enough score on their proficiency test.
Fees
- Fee was charged semester wise, based on number of credits. My monthly expenses are around 1200-1500$ including rent and expenses.
- Per credit fee is around $2300 and college also offers a lot of scholarships to deserving students.
- Rents of the accommodation could be expensive. But Rochester has a lot of cheaper options as well. Transportation is free as Rochester
- Institute has its own shuttle services which cover the whole city and Indian grocery stores and Walmart are all nearby.
Scholarship
- Yes, scholarships are available. I received a 40% scholarship on my tuition. Almost everyone in my class received some percentage of scholarship.
- Eligibility of scholarships is based on work experience or undergraduate experience in the same field. Having research papers also helps a lot.
- Other soft skills and club participations etc also helped in getting scholarships.





