First-Year Student Admission

1. 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.
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)

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. 

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. 

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

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:

• 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
• Priority Filing Deadline for FAFSA: March 15, with rolling consideration thereafter

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.