First-Year Student Admissions

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RIC offers in-demand majors that help you climb the ladder of success – an affordable, accessible pathway to a four-year degree and the career you want. We're thrilled that you're interested in joining our community!

View Our First-Year Student Admissions Process

Apply Now Enroll Now

Already Been Accepted?

Accepted Students Day, Saturday April 5 promotional graphic

Register for Accepted Students Day!

Congratulations on being accepted to RIC! Make sure to join us on April 5, 1–4:30 pm as we welcome all newly accepted students. We hope that you and your guests will be here!

Make a BOLD Move

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Built for You ✔︎ Small class sizes and personalized learning
Built for Opportunity ✔︎ Low tuition and high rate of social mobility
Built for Success ✔︎ High quality academic programs and real world learning
Built for the Future ✔︎ In-demand programs for career success
Built to Last ✔︎ Prepared students – since 1854

We're Here to Assist You

View Our First-Year Student Admissions Process to see how everything will go. If you need quick answers to common questions, our Undergraduate Admissions FAQs or DACA and Undocumented Students FAQs may be of help. We'd also like to show you our beautiful campus. If you can't come out to us, take a look at our Virtual Campus Tour.

Are You an Accepted Student or a Counselor?

We have important information just for you: Accepted Student To-Dos and Guidance for Counselors.

Must-See Benefits and Opportunities

Hope changes everything promotional graphic

Our Hope Scholarship: 4-Year Degree, 2 Years Tuition-Free

The new Hope Scholarship at RIC provides students across Rhode Island access to a high-quality bachelor’s degree for less than $25,000. Hope Changes Everything!

Our Northeast Neighbors 40% Tuition Discount

With our Northeast Neighbors discount, applicants from MA, CT, ME, NH, VT, and parts of NY, NJ and PA can attend RIC at a 40% discount.

Jinnette Santana with Preparatory Enrollment Program community

Our Alternative Admissions Programs Just for You

It's important to us, as an institution that strives to provide opportunity, to create pathways to RIC admission, enrollment, and success for deserving students that need a bit of additional guidance and assistance. Take a look today!

Helping You Secure Funding

Our Undergraduate Tuition and Fees and Housing and Dining Costs are some of the most affordable around, but we know that securing funding is still a necessity for most students - and we're here to help with that.

Financial Aid

We assist students and their families in funding educational costs at Rhode Island College. Get the information and help you need to get started.

Financial Aid Opportunities

Scholarships

Our scholarship offerings change the lives of our students and make their college degree aspirations a reality. Start exploring our scholarships today!

Scholarship Opportunities

First-Year Student Admissions Process

Application Requirements

The submitted Common Application, including the $50 nonrefundable application fee. Complete the Common Application. Select "apply for first-year" if you are applying to RIC after graduating high school. Please Note: If you have previously attended another college or university, select "apply for transfer" and view our transfer admissions requirements.
Your official high school transcript. Rhode Island College requires at least 18 college preparatory units including:
- 4 units/years of English
- 2 units/year of the same foreign language
- 3 units/years of mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry)
- 2 units/years of history or social science
- 2 units/years of laboratory science
- 5 additional college preparatory units (additional coursework in any of the above subjects, or other college preparatory elective courses offered by your high school)

Homeschool Applicants

Homeschool applicants must adhere to the same admissions requirements as traditional students. There are several ways to represent the required coursework:

Have an established working relationship with a homeschooling agency that supplies curriculum outlines and that reviews and grades work completed and submit a transcript for that agency.
Submit your home-schooling plans to the appropriate agencies in your state to receive approval to grant a high school diploma.
Supplement your home learning with college courses and courses certified by a private tutor/teacher to meet the 18 college preparatory unit requirements.

Additional Application Materials

In addition to the Common Application, $50 nonrefundable application fee, and official high school transcript, you may choose to submit these optional materials for consideration:

The 250-word college essay through the Common Application
School (Guidance) Counselor or Personal Letter of Recommendation
SAT or ACT scores. Rhode Island College is Test Optional. We do not require test results for initial admission to the College. If you believe your results from the SAT or ACT support your candidacy for admission, Rhode Island College encourages you to submit them. Please Note: Candidates to RIC's teacher education programs in the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development must submit standardized test results for consideration.
RIC's SAT code is 3724 and its ACT code is 3810.

Additional Requirements for International Students

Transcripts from any institution outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by a U.S. evaluation company or any current member of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES).
Students whose native language is not English are required to submit English proficiency scores. We currently accept scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo.
Financial Declaration Form

Evaluation of Transfer Credit, AP, IB, and CLEP Exams

Students who participated in dual enrollment in high school or with coursework from a regionally accredited institution could be eligible for transfer credit with a grade of “C” or higher.

AP exams with a score of 3 or greater and CLEP scores with a 50 or greater are also eligible for transfer credit. Official transcripts and test scores should be sent to the admissions office for review.

Candidates who have completed International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level (HL) subjects and have received a score of at least 4 on the diploma program examinations may be granted college credit. Students should have their scores sent directly to the Office of Admissions from IBO or have them printed on their official secondary school transcript.

More on AP Exams and their RIC Equivalents

The Seal of Biliteracy

If the Seal of Biliteracy is on your high school transcript, you will receive college credit at Rhode Island College!

Silver Seal of Biliteracy: 4 Credits

You will receive credit for a relevant 113-level language course (4 credits), which will satisfy the college’s language/literature general education requirement. ($418 per credit = a savings of approximately $1,672)

Gold Seal of Biliteracy: 8 Credits

You will receive credit for a relevant 113 and 114-level language course (totaling 8 credits), which will satisfy the college’s language/literature general education requirement. ($418 per credit = a savings of approximately $3,344)

Please Note: If you satisfy the requirements but the Seal of Biliteracy isn’t on your transcript, please have your school counselor email us with your name and the level you’ve achieved. If your state does not award Gold/Silver levels, score reports from official testing agencies that show Advanced-Low/Intermediate-Mid may be used to determine the Seal level from your state.

More Information about the Seal

Merit Scholarships and Financial Aid

Over 75% of RIC undergraduates receive financial aid.

Rhode Island College recognizes superior academic achievement through the awarding of scholarships. All candidates are reviewed for merit scholarships at the time of application for admission.

There are several merit-based scholarship programs available to students at the College. These programs fall into four general categories:

Honors Scholarships
Special Talent Awards
Alumni Scholarships
RIC Foundation Scholarships
Hope Scholarship

Important Deadlines

Early Action & Priority Consideration for Merit Scholarships: December 15
Spring Admission (January): December 15
Regular Decision: March 15
Priority Filing Deadline for FAFSA: March 15, with rolling consideration thereafter