What qualifications do you need for admission?

  • Students must demonstrate a significant hearing loss, and demonstrate the ability to benefit from the models used at RIT/NTID designated specifically to provide access to academic programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Access services available include direct instruction, sign language interpreting, real-time captioning services and notetaking. An audiogram is required as part of the application process.
  • Students are expected to submit an official high school transcript demonstrating that they have received a high school diploma. In addition, students must meet the academic requirements for their major. This includes appropriate high school curriculum and specific ACT or SAT scores.
  • Submit a Declaration of Financial Support form, along with all necessary supporting documents.
  • Provide two letters of reference indicating that you are ready to enter and succeed in a university setting.
  • If you are applying to RIT/NTID as a transfer student from another university, you must submit:
    • Official academic transcripts (and certified English translations) for all previous college study
    • A listing of the courses with course numbers, in which you currently are enrolled, if they do not appear on your official transcript.
  • In order to demonstrate English proficiency, you will need to take the TOEFL test (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

Contact the TOEFL test center:



Bachelor-level degree test score requirements

Test Type

Minimum Score Requirement

 

Internet Based TOEFL (iBT)

Combined Reading and Writing score of 40 with neither subscore below 16

For deaf and hard-of-hearing students, the listening section is not included in your total score.

Paper Based TOEFL

550 Total Score

For deaf and hard-of-hearing students, the listening section is not included in your total score. Instead an average of your reading and writing scores are substituted for the listening portion. Reading, writing and the substituted listening score sum is your total.

Computer Based TOEFL

213 Total Score

For deaf and hard-of-hearing students, the listening section is not included in your total score. Instead an average of your reading and writing scores are substituted for the listening portion. Reading, writing and the substituted listening score sum is your total.


Associate-level degree test score requirements

Test Type

Minimum Score Requirement

 

Internet Based TOEFL (iBT)

Combined Reading and Writing score of 32

For deaf and hard-of-hearing students, the listening section is not included in your total score.

Paper Based TOEFL

493 Total Score

For deaf and hard-of-hearing students, the listening section is not included in your total score. Instead an average of your reading and writing scores are substituted for the listening portion. Reading, writing and the substituted listening score sum is your total.

Computer Based TOEFL

167 Total Score

For deaf and hard-of-hearing students, the listening section is not included in your total score. Instead an average of your reading and writing scores are substituted for the listening portion. Reading, writing and the substituted listening score sum is your total.

 

If you are an international student currently enrolled in a U.S. school, you can demonstrate your English proficiency by taking the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). The ACT is preferred.

Contact ACT at:

  • 1-319-337-1270 (voice)
  • 1-319-337-1701 (TTY)

The ACT code for RIT/NTID is 2824.

Contact SAT at:

  • Domestic: (866) 756-7346 (voice) or (888) 857-2477 (TTY)
  • International: (212) 713-7789 (voice) or (609) 882-4118 (TTY)
  • Services for Students with Disabilities: (609) 771-7137

The SAT code for RIT/NTID is 2760.

What do I need to do to receive an I-20 to apply for a student visa?

If you have completed your most recent studies outside of the United States and have demonstrated adequate resources to cover the entire cost of attending RIT for one year, an I-20 will be sent with your acceptance letter.

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