First-Year Students

1. The completed Common Application, including the $50 nonrefundable application fee. Submit the Common Application. Select "apply for first-year" if you are applying to RIC after graduating high school. If you have previously attended another college or university, select "apply for transfer" and view our transfer admissions requirements.
2. 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)

Home-schooled students should submit transcripts from an accredited correspondence school, in addition to any transcript(s) showing earned college credit (if applicable). Those whose curriculum is not provided by an accredited correspondence school, may submit scores on the GED (minimum score of 165 for each test subject is required). 

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:

1. The 250-word college essay through the Common Application
2. School (Guidance) Counselor or Personal Letter of Recommendation
3. 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. (Candidates to RIC's teacher education programs in the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development must submit standardized test results for consideration. View testing requirements.) RIC's SAT code is 3724 and its ACT code is 3810.

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 

Over 75% of 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:

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

• Early Action & Priority Consideration for Merit Scholarships: December 15
• Spring Admission (January): December 15
• Regular Decision: March 15
• Due to the 2024-2025 FAFSA release delay, students who are used to the annual October 1 release are now encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it becomes available in December.
• Enrollment & Housing Deposit: May 1

To begin using your RIC account (or to regain access to RIC email, Blackboard, and MyRIC), you will need to set an initial password. Set a new password by visiting Setting your Password.

Need Additional Assistance? Contact the ITS Help Center at helpdesk@ric.edu, 401-456-8803, or by visiting the walk-in lab at Whipple Hall Room 102.