First-Year Student Admission

Apply Now (by completing the Common App and including the $50 nonrefundable application fee). 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, you will not use the Common App and will want to view our transfer admissions requirements and apply through our transfer application.

Submit Official High School Transcript

RIC 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)

Satisfy Our World Language Requirement

Rhode Island College requires two units of the same world language for admission. Students may meet this requirement in several ways.

Ways to Meet the Requirement

• Two Years of the Same World Language: Complete two units of the same world language in high school, or
• Middle School World Language Coursework: A first-year world language course completed in eighth grade may count toward the two-unit requirement. If a student has only one unit of Level 2 or higher world language coursework listed on their high school transcript, RIC may assume the first unit was completed in middle school.
• American Sign Language: Two units of American Sign Language (ASL) documented on the high school transcript will satisfy the world language requirement.
• Seal of Biliteracy: Students who have earned the Seal of Biliteracy, as documented on their high school transcript, may satisfy the world language admission requirement. The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who demonstrate proficiency in English and another language. RIC also awards college credit to students who have earned a Silver or Gold Seal of Biliteracy. See the Optional Materials and Transferrable Credits tab for Silver and Gold Seal credit details.
• CLEP Examination: A CLEP World Language examination score of 50 or higher may satisfy the requirement.
• Special Circumstances: Students may be considered for admission without two units of world language coursework when they meet certain circumstances, including:
  • Their high school does not offer world language courses.
  • They attend a school experiencing a documented teacher shortage that prevents them from completing the requirement.
  • They have a documented Individualized Education Program (IEP) with a learning disability specific to world language study.
  • They indicate that a language other than English is their first language or a language spoken or written at home on the Common Application.

Students who qualify for an exception because their high school does not offer world language coursework must have two additional college-preparatory units in place of the world language requirement. If you have questions about whether your coursework satisfies the world language requirement, email the Admissions Office at admissions@ric.edu.

Some Rhode Island College programs have additional admission requirements beyond the general requirements for first-year applicants. These requirements vary by program and may include an audition, specific high school coursework, academic qualifications, or additional application materials.

Music, Theatre, and Dance

Applicants to RIC's Music, Theatre, and Dance programs are required to complete an audition. If you are admitted to RIC before completing your audition, your admission to the Music, Theatre, or Dance major is contingent upon a successful audition. After you submit an audition request, the academic department will contact you with your audition time and additional information. Learn more about RIC's Music B.A. B.M., Theatre B.A., and Dance Performance B.A.

Nursing

RIC offers a competitive Direct Admit Nursing pathway for first-year applicants, in addition to the traditional two-step nursing admission process.

Direct Admit Nursing — Fall 2027 

For Fall 2027, RIC's Direct Admit Nursing program will have 30 available seats. To be considered, applicants must:

• Be a first-year applicant who completes their application by December 15.
• Have a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Demonstrate strength in math and science.
• Ideally complete a third year of laboratory science, such as biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, or biomedical science.
• Ideally complete a fourth year of mathematics, such as precalculus or higher.
• Submit a nursing statement describing their interest in the nursing profession.
• Submit a letter of recommendation, which is highly encouraged but not required.

Eligible applicants will first be reviewed through RIC's standard admission process. Admitted students who meet the GPA threshold will receive additional review for Direct Admit Nursing. The secondary review considers cumulative GPA, science GPA, math GPA, and other factors using a nursing-specific review rubric.

Direct Admit Nursing offers are expected to be released in December. Students who receive a Direct Admit Nursing offer must enroll by May 1 or forfeit their Direct Admit seat.

Please Note: Students admitted through the Direct Admit Nursing pathway may not defer their admission to a future semester.

Applicants who are not selected for the Direct Admit Nursing program may still be considered for RIC's traditional two-step, non-direct admission nursing process.

Teacher Education Programs 

Candidates to RIC's teacher education programs in the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development must submit standardized test scores for consideration. RIC's SAT code is 3724 and RIC's ACT code is 3810. Be sure to review the requirements for your intended major before applying, as program-specific requirements may vary.

In addition to the Common App, $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 App
• 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, RIC encourages you to submit them. Please Note: RIC's SAT code is 3724 and its ACT code is 3810. Candidates to RIC's teacher education programs in the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development must submit standardized test results for consideration.

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

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.

Military/Veteran Dependent Students

As a military-friendly school, we are proud to offer these benefits:

• Waived Application Fee – We waive the $50 Common App Fee for all applicants who are veterans or dependents of veterans.
• Credits for Military Training and Courses – We offer credits for military experience to our veteran and service member students.

Military & Veteran Dependent Admission

International Students

We're excited that you're interested in joining our community. We want to point you to a specific application process that's tailored to your needs.

International Student Admissions Process

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 three general categories:

• Hope Scholarship
• RIC Foundation Scholarships
• Honors Scholarships

Admissions decisions are based primarily on an applicant's academic record, including completion of required high school coursework, grades, and class rank/GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 50 percent of their graduating class and have at least B/B- average.

Applications are reviewed once all required materials are received. Admissions decisions are released on a rolling basis. The sooner you apply, the earlier you will receive a decision.

Acceptance & Orientation

Congratulations to those who have recently been accepted to RIC! Get started now and mark orientation on your calendar!

Find Your Orientation Dates

Next, follow these accepted student next steps to pay your enrollment deposit to secure your place at RIC and register for your orientation session.

Complete Accepted Student Next Steps