Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites

What are RIT's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

  • GPA requirements
  • Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
  • Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into RIT and build a strong application.

School location: Rochester, NY

This school is also known as: Rochester Institute of Technology


Admissions Rate: 66%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at RIT is 66%. For every 100 applicants, 66 are admitted.

Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites

This means the school is moderately selective. The school expects you to meet their requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but they're more flexible than other schools. If you exceed their requirements, you have an excellent chance of getting in. But if you don't, you might be one of the unlucky minority that gets a rejection letter.


Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites

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We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

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Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites


RIT GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.7

The average GPA at RIT is 3.7.

Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.7, RIT requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you're able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.7, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate. This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.


SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Most schools require the SAT or ACT, and many also require SAT subject tests.

You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to RIT. More importantly, you need to do well to have a strong application.

RIT SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1300

The average SAT score composite at RIT is a 1300 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes RIT Moderately Competitive for SAT test scores.

Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites

RIT SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1200, and the 75th percentile New SAT score is 1400. In other words, a 1200 on the New SAT places you below average, while a 1400 will move you up to above average.

Here's the breakdown of new SAT scores by section:

Section Average 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
Math 665 610 720
Reading + Writing 635 590 680
Composite 1300 1200 1400

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

RIT has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit.

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

How does superscoring change your test strategy? (Click to Learn)

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Section R+W Math Composite
Test 1 700 300 1000
Test 2 300 700 1000
Test 3 300 300 600
Superscore 700 700 1400

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, RIT will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and RIT forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1300, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it. You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.


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Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites

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Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites


RIT ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, RIT likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 30

The average ACT score at RIT is 30. This score makes RIT Strongly Competitive for ACT scores.

Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites

The 25th percentile ACT score is 27, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 32.

Even though RIT likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 27 or below, you'll have a harder time getting in, unless you have something else impressive in your application.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 30 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

However, in our research, we found that RIT does in fact offer an ACT superscore policy. To quote their Admissions Office:

If an applicant takes the SAT or the ACT more than once, the highest score from each test section will be combined to determine a new total or composite score.

Source

Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Of all the scores that RIT receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all ACT test dates you submit.

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

How does superscoring change your test strategy? (Click to Learn)

For example, say you submit the following 4 test scores:

EnglishMathReadingScienceComposite
Test 1 32 16 16 16 20
Test 2 16 32 16 16 20
Test 3 16 16 32 16 20
Test 4 16 16 16 32 20
Superscore 32 32 32 32 32

Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, RIT will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 20 to 32 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and RIT forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 30, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it. You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.


Studying for the ACT instead? Want to learn how to improve your ACT score by 4 points?

Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites


SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Both the SAT and ACT have an optional essay section.

RIT considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.


SAT Subject Test Requirements

Schools vary in their SAT subject test requirements. Typically, selective schools tend to require them, while most schools in the country do not.

We did not find information that RIT requires SAT subject tests, and so most likely it does not. At least 6 months before applying, you should still doublecheck just to make sure, so you have enough time to take the test.



Final Admissions Verdict

Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites

Because this school is moderately selective, strong academic performance will almost guarantee you admission. Scoring a 1400 SAT or a 32 ACT or above will nearly guarantee you admission. Because the school admits 66% of all applicants, being far above average raises the admission rate for you to nearly 100%.

If you can achieve a high SAT/ACT score, the rest of your application essentially doesn't matter. You still need to meet the rest of the application requirements, and your GPA shouldn't be too far off from the school average of 3.7. But you won't need dazzling extracurriculars and breathtaking letters of recommendation to get in. You can get in based on the merits of your score alone.

But if your score is a 1200 SAT or a 27 ACT and below, you have a good chance of being one of the unlucky few to be rejected.


Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites

Want to build the best possible college application?

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites


Admissions Calculator

What are your chances of admission at Rochester Institute of Technology?

Chances of admission with these scores:

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are.

Pick your test: New SAT ACT


Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. This tool provides only a simplistic estimate of your chances of admission. Instead of treating this tool as a crystal ball, we recommend you consider the big picture of what your chance means:

  • 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
  • 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
  • 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
  • 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
  • 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in
We recommend you apply to schools across a range of chances. Applying to some safety schools will guarantee you have a college to go to, while applying to some reach schools will give you a shot at getting into the school at the top of your range.

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program. We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

  • PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses. You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
  • We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
  • Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts. PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
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There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program, or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites


Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of RIT here.

Application Requirements Overview

  • Common Application Accepted
  • Universal Application Accepted, supplemental forms required
  • Electronic Application Available
  • Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
  • Letters of Recommendation 1
  • Interview Not required
  • Application Fee $65
  • Fee Waiver Available? Available
  • Other Notes Portfolio of original artwork for School of Art, Design and Crafts; interview for BS/MS physician assistant program recommended for some freshmen

Testing Requirements

  • SAT or ACT Required
  • SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
  • SAT Subject Tests
  • Scores Due in Office None

Coursework Requirements

  • Subject Required Years
  • English 4
  • Math 3
  • Science 2
  • Foreign Language
  • Social Studies 3
  • History
  • Electives 4

Deadlines and Early Admissions

  •  
    • Offered? Deadline Notification
  • Regular Admission
    • Yes January 15 March 15
  • Early Action
    • No
  • Early Decision
    • Yes November 1, January 1 January 15


Other Schools For You

If you're interested in RIT, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to RIT.


Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than RIT. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School NameLocationSAT AvgACT Avg
Binghamton University Vestal, NY 1375 30
Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA 1365 31
University of Florida Gainesville, FL 1360 30
University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 1355 29
University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 1355 30
University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX 1350 30
University of Washington Seattle, WA 1340 30

Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for RIT, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

School NameLocationSAT AvgACT Avg
University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 1315 29
University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 1310 29
American University Washington, DC 1300 29
University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA 1290 29
Drexel University Philadelphia, PA 1290 28
University of California, Davis Davis, CA 1280 28
Chapman University Orange, CA 1280 28

Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for RIT, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If RIT is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

School NameLocationSAT AvgACT Avg
Hofstra University Hempstead, NY 1250 28
Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX 1250 28
Temple University Philadelphia, PA 1238 27
Auburn University Auburn University, AL 1235 28
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 1235 25
Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ 1231 26
University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 1184 27

Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites

Want to build the best possible college application?

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Rochester institute of technology pa program prerequisites


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Does the University of Rochester have a PA program?

During their fourth year, students will take courses at MCSHS in the PA program that will also count as their senior Capstone experience to complete their BSHS degree at UMR. Finally, in their fifth year students will complete their Master of Health Sciences in PA Studies with MCSHS.

Is the RIT PA program accredited?

PROGRAM ACCREDITATION The PA Program has remained accredited since 1994. Initial accreditation was by the Commission on Accreditation Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) and then by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) from 2001 to present.

How do you get into RIT PA program?

The minimum grade point average for acceptance into the physician assistant program at RIT is 3.0 for transfer students; however, a higher GPA is necessary to be competitive for admission. It is strongly suggested that students apply to additional programs/colleges.

How long is Canisius PA program?

The Physician Assistant Studies program at Canisius is a 7-semester, master's degree program consisting of two main phases: didactic and clinical. You will spend the first 12 months in a classroom setting for didactic or pre-clinical learning, with access to state-of-the-art learning technologies.