Early Admission Program
Students with superior academic records may seek early admission to Rhode Island College and may begin study directly from their junior year in high school. Candidates for early admission must fulfill all regular admissions requirements and must have a personal interview. Application materials should be filed with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions during the spring semester of the junior year. Interested students must contact their high school principal or guidance counselor to make arrangements to complete high school diploma requirements.
International Student Admission
Rhode Island College is a member of The Common Application group and encourages applications from prospective international students whose command of English is sufficient for college study. Applicants must submit the following materials to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by June 1 for freshmen and June 1 for transfer students:
1. A completed application accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Students may apply online at www.commonapp.org or at www.nexttiereducation.com.
2. Official records or certified copies of past academic work. A certified literal English translation and evaluation of the applicant’s educational records is required.
3. Scores on one of the following tests:
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): minimum score of 79 iBt.
• Pearson Test of English: minimum score of 63.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum score of 6.5.
Students with strong academic records whose test scores are below the minimum required may be considered for conditional admission.
4. Once admitted, an affidavit of support detailing funds available for the educational program. All college health requirements must be met. In addition, students admitted to Rhode Island College for enrollment as F1 visa students are required to buy the basic medical insurance currently offered as an option to all Rhode Island College students.
International admission information packets are available from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. International students should contact the international student advisor in the Office of Student Life for information concerning U.S. laws, regulations and employment practices.
Military Personnel and Veteran Admission
Rhode Island College is a Servicemembers Opportunity College. U.S. military personnel and veterans are invited to contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for information on undergraduate degrees. The office will also assist those who think they lack the necessary prerequisites for degree candidacy. Those who are interested in nondegree coursework should contact the Office of Academic Support and Information Services.
Performance-Based Admission Program
Individuals who are at least 20 years old, who have been away from formal schooling for some time, who have little or no college credit and who lack some of the usual college entrance requirements may be considered for freshman admission through the Performance-Based Admission (PBA) Program.
Rhode Island College is a member of The Common Application group. Applicants must submit the following materials to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by June 1 for fall semester enrollment and November 15 for spring semester enrollment:
- A completed application accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Students may apply online or download a copy of application materials at www.commonapp.org or at www.nexttiereducation.com.
- Official copies of high school transcripts.
- Scores on the High School General Educational Development (GED) tests (if the candidate has not earned a traditional high school diploma).
- An interview.
Each student who is accepted into Rhode Island College through the PBA Program will develop a special plan of study with the program advisor before the beginning of the first semester of classes. The plan of study will specify any special condition (e.g., remedial courses in mathematics or English-language courses), a schedule for ongoing consultation with an advisor and a specific six-course program, which will include the college writing course, three General Education Distribution courses and two other elective courses. Students must complete the six-course program with a minimum GPA of 2.0 to be allowed to continue their studies. Upon successful completion of the plan of study, students will be continued as degree candidates without condition.
Students who need remedial coursework in either of these disciplines will be permitted to take these courses as part of their programs, but credits earned will not count toward either the degree requirements or the six-course PBA Program plans.
Adult students whose primary language is not English may also be accepted into the college through this program and may be required to complete one or more English as a Second Language (ESL) courses before undertaking the regular six courses in the PBA Program. Before undertaking the six-course PBA Program, these students are expected to demonstrate a facility with the English language that is comparable to a score of 79 on the Web-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 213 on the computer-based version or 550 on the paper-based version; 960 on the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT); or 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Students who do not make satisfactory progress will be dismissed from the college. Appeals of dismissal decisions can be made to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Preparatory Enrollment Program
The Preparatory Enrollment Program (PEP) serves a select number of first-generation or low-income students who demonstrate the potential for academic success and persistence. Program services support the intellectual and social development of students by providing academic instruction and tutoring, faculty mentoring, a peer support network, workshops, learning communities and individual advising. PEP is a student-centered program characterized by an environment of diversity, cooperation and community.
Student support services begin during the spring and summer months, prior to freshman year. All students participate in a five-week Spring Pre-College Seminar Series led by Rhode Island College faculty, which exposes and engages students in college-level coursework. During the summer, students participate in a First Year Experience Seminar and attend individual advising meetings with their PEP advisor. Throughout freshman year PEP students receive individualized support and guidance to ensure a successful personal and academic transition to college. Students also have the opportunity to participate in study halls, learning communities, group workshops with campus offices and a peer mentoring program.
Prospective PEP applicants must complete the Common Application and indicate an interest in applying to PEP by February 1. The selection process involves a review of academic records, standardized test scores, a personal statement and letters of recommendation. Some students selected for final consideration may be invited to participate in a personal interview. In order to be considered for financial aid, applicants must also complete the FASFA and the Rhode Island College Financial Aid Application by March 1.
Project ExCEL (Excellence in College for English Learners)
Project ExCEL is an academic initiative at Rhode Island College aiming to expand college access for talented bilingual students. Because the process of acquisition of academic English for non-native speakers of English is complex and extends over several years, many highly capable, literate and academically talented advanced bilinguals often do not have all the mainstream English courses required for admission to a four-year college or university. In close partnership with high school and other counselors, Project ExCEL at Rhode Island College enrolls bright, accomplished bilinguals with established success in academic subjects and provides them the opportunity to pursue a degree at the college.
Admissions requirements:
- Successful completion of high school ESL courses.
- 3 units of mathematics.
- 2 units of laboratory science.
- 2 units of social science.
- 2 units of foreign language (may be waived if a student exhibits proficiency in multiple languages).
- 5 additional units of diversified study.
Additional requirements:
- Eligible candidates will generally rank in the top 10 percent of the graduating class or have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Interview.
- RIC ESL Placement Exam.
- RIC Writing Placement Test.
Re-admission
Undergraduate degree candidates with at least a 2.0 cumulative average who withdraw from Rhode Island College will be eligible to re‑register without completing a formal application for re‑admission, unless they have taken courses at another institution during their absence or have course credit(s) 10 years old or older. Registration materials will be mailed to students for three consecutive semesters. After three semesters, students may call the Records Office to request registration materials.
Rhode Island College is a member of The Common Application group. Undergraduate degree candidates who have been dismissed for academic reasons or who have withdrawn and taken courses at another institution, must submit a completed application accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students may apply online at www.commonapp.org or at www.nexttiereducation.com. Application deadlines are August 1 for fall semester enrollment and November 15 for spring semester enrollment. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 for readmission to degree status.
Second Degree Applicants
Persons holding baccalaureate degrees from accredited institutions may apply to Rhode Island College for a second undergraduate degree. This assumes completion of all previous baccalaureate requirements, including General Education and a 2.0 cumulative GPA (higher for some programs).
Rhode Island College is a member of The Common Application group. Applicants for a second bachelor’s degree submit the following materials to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by June 1 for fall semester enrollment or by November 1 for spring semester enrollment:
- A completed application accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Students may apply online at www.commonapp.org or at www.nexttiereducation.com.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended. Transcripts must indicate that a baccalaureate degree was conferred and the date it was conferred.
Once the application and all credentials have been received, the admissions office will notify and instruct the candidate to schedule an appointment with the appropriate department chair(s) to determine the courses needed to meet requirements for the second degree. Candidates should be advised that certain programs, (e.g., art, teacher education, nursing and social work) have specialized requirements and admission standards that must be satisfied for acceptance into those programs.
Candidates for a second degree must successfully complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Rhode Island College. Some programs, such as education, will require considerably more credit hours. Credit requirements for plans of study may be as high as 98 credit hours. At least 15 of the 30 hours must be taken in the department of the major or program. Course/credit proficiency, field experience, prior learning credit or transfer credit may not be counted toward this 30-credit-hour requirement.