Changes in your Academic Program

Everyone is who not graduating prior to September 2013 will be effected by semesters.  Some students have gone above and beyond to avoid being on campus after the conversion but for those that will be here for this monumental strategic move for RIT here are some of the changes you will experience.

Your academic program may be shifting in one of the following ways:

• a reduced number of credits to graduate (1 semester credit = .67  trimester credit)
• Remember 1 semester credit will still equal 1 hour of class time.
• More 3 credit classes will be offered
• They average student will take five three credit courses per semester

Out side of your academic program campus changes will be made including:

• The new SIS system
• The billing schedule, though students  will still be paying the same amount on semesters as they would on quarters, they will be making larger payments at single periods of time (Totals will be divided by 2 rather than 3)
• There will be a 3 week intersession of classes in January
• This will be a fast paced class time which students can take a class to get ahead or catch-up on studies.
• Course withdrawal dates will be shifted to fit the longer semesters.
• Other academic policies will be modified as well.

Stay tuned for more information on:

• Your program on quarters and semesters
• Minors
• Double Majors
• Dual Degrees

Things to Know

As RIT prepares to convert to semesters, there are a few things students will be discussing with their advisors:

• How their program will make the transition to semesters from quarters.
• This will be individualized based on what each student has taken in the past.
• How GPAs will be affected on the semester system.
• A Student's GPA will remain the same on semesters as it is on quarters.
• How many credits do my classes equal? 
• Unlike on quarters where classes are typically 4 credits, most classes will carry a weight of 3 credits. 
• How will my credits be applied in the semester system?
• Quarter credits to semester credits are calculated by multiplying the quarter credits by .67.
• What new courses will be offered?
• What old courses will be removed from programs?
• How many courses students should take during a given semester.
• The typical student will take 5 courses each semester.
• How will Tuition Fees be affected?
• Each student will pay the same total amount per year; however, each semester bill will be larger than a quarter bill has been in the past.  But rest assured it is the same price. 

****Get to know the facts about your program, so when you do meet with your advisor this year, you will have questions to ask.**** 

Semester Conversion is Coming

Rochester Institute of Technology is converting to semesters on August 26th, 2013.  The university will be preparing for the switch to semesters over the next year.  This blog was set up by the Semester Conversion team to answer questions and give out information that will help students prepare for the conversion and make sure they stay on track and graduate on time. 

In the next year (2012-13 academic year) it will be extremely important for students to meet with their advisors and set up an Individual Advisement Plan (I.A.P.).  These plans help prepare students for the switch to semesters because classes and requirements are going to be shifting within majors as we switch from quarters to semesters.

The IAP will include a break down of the requirements students will need to take (classes and co-op included) in order to graduate on time. 

Your academic adivsor will be contacting you over the course of the next academic year to sit down and talk about your I.A.P. (students do not need to initiate these meetings).  These meetings will allow you to ask questions and plan out your remaining career at RIT.  This IAP is not a binding agreement but a draft of what students should follow in order to graduate on time as planned.

Stay tuned for more information!