Rhode Island School of Design Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

Rhode Island School of Design is one of the renowned universities in the USA. It is very competitive to get admission to. The acceptance rate of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is 17.42%. This means that only 17 out of every 100 applicants are admitted.

How Competitive are Rhode Island School of Design Admissions?

• Highly Competitive: Applicants need strong academics and extracurriculars.
• GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
• A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

With one of the lowest acceptance rates in the US, you need to be excellent in every area to get selected. However, since the acceptance rate is not below 10%, you still have a chance if your GPA is not perfect. You can make up for a GPA deficiency by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses. Meeting Rhode Island School of Design\'s GPA and standardized test (SAT/ACT) requirements is crucial, as failing to do so may prevent your application from moving forward. These requirements act as automatic filters, so meeting them is vital; failing to do so makes your chance of getting in nearly zero.

Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can enhance your admission chances.

Rhode Island School of Design Admission Requirements

RISD GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at RISD is 3.71. RISD is highly selective.

Mostly A’s with a few B’s will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.

If your GPA is between 3.41 and 3.71, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended. You need at least a 3.31 GPA to secure admission.

Can I Get Into RISD Without SAT Or ACT?: Rhode Island School of Design considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.

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Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

Rhode Island School of Design Average SAT Score: 1433
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Rhode Island School of Design is 1433 on the 1600 SAT scale.

Rhode Island School of Design SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it very Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do very well to score 1433 on the SAT.

Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1525 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Rhode Island School of Design allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.

If your score is below 1340, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to RISD. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

Rhode Island School of Design SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Section	Average	25th Percentile	75th Percentile
SAT Math	733	680	785
SAT Reading	700	660	740
SAT Composite	1433	1340	1525

It means that if you have scored less than 1340 then you are below most of the admitted students at RISD and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1525 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1450

Can I get into Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with a 1550 SAT?

With a 1550 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) are good but the admission staff at RISD tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at RISD is 31.

Rhode Island School of Design ACT Competitiveness

This score makes Rhode Island School of Design very Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do very well to score 31 on the ACT.

Rhode Island School of Design ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Section	Average	25th Percentile	75th Percentile
ACT Math	30	26	34
ACT English	33	31	35
ACT Composite	31	29	33

Can I get into Rhode Island School of Design with a 33 ACT?

With a 33 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Rhode Island School of Design are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.

SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send

You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Rhode Island School of Design. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.

But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.

Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 31.

RISD Profile

Name: Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

Accredited by: New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into Rhode Island School of Design

Boost Your Test Scores: Retake the SAT/ACT if needed. Use resources to improve your score.

Focus on Academics: Maintain a high GPA and take challenging courses.

Extracurricular Activities: Rhode Island School of Design values well-rounded students who make meaningful contributions to their communities. Here’s how to showcase your strengths:

• Highlight long-term commitments, and unique accomplishments.
• Leaderships: Demonstrate clear leadership experience. This is not only true for Rhode Island School of Design but also other schools. If you cannot demonstrate strong leadership qualities, your chances of acceptance will be low. Work on your weak areas, and improve your communication and interpersonal skills. Also, include your work experiences where you were given leadership responsibilities, and write down your achievements and how you were able to contribute as a team leader and team member.
• Community Service: Show how you have influenced change in the community and have a strong desire to do so in the future. Also, if you are planning to apply for Rhode Island School of Design, participate in relevant activities. Work for social welfare and look for opportunities where you can make an impact. Start with your school or student council. Those having positions like president, secretary generals etc… in students councils have better chances. Network with notable people and develop your social media profile accordingly.
• Passion Projects: Whether it’s starting a club, publishing research, or excelling in the arts, show what sets you apart. Example: If you’ve founded a nonprofit or won a national competition, make sure it’s prominently featured in your application.
• Align your goals with Rhode Island School of Design’s mission. Carefully read the objectives and mission of Rhode Island School of Design on their official website and plan accordingly for each specific point. See how well your profile matches their objectives and goals, and work on the areas where you are lacking.
• Secure Strong Recommendations: Get letters from professors or employers who know your abilities well. Share your achievements and goals with them for a stronger, more personalized recommendation. If personal statement and recommendations align, your chances of success will be higher.
• Build a Strong Network: Engage with Rhode Island School of Design Alumni and current students. Ask them how they planned their scholarship journey, what challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. Learn about the key factors behind their success and how they secured their selection.
• Craft Strong Essays: Tell your story authentically and highlight what makes you unique. College Essay is a very important document. Unlike your transcripts, which just show your numbers or grades, the essay reflects your true personality as a human being. Take considerable time to refine and craft your statement of purpose. Here are the detailed guidelines for writing a winning College Essay form our experts.

Does a degree from RISD Worth It?

Getting into RISD can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. RISD offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision. Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at RISD is USD: 80568.35 and unemployment rate is 3.14%.

How much does a degree from RISD Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at Rhode Island School of Design is USD: 77280. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Rhode Island School of Design is much less than this.

How can I get a scholarship?

15.07% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 32.09 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to RISD and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At Rhode Island School of Design, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist RISD as your choice in the form.

How much a RISD Graduate make?

The average annual salary of the RISD graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 68140. An average RISD graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Pepperdine University	Pepperdine University, CA	1399	30
Colorado College	Colorado College, CO	1402	31
Colorado School of Mines	Colorado School of Mines, CO	1403	32
United States Air Force Academy	United States Air Force Academy, CO	1401	31
Trinity College	Trinity College, CT	1387	31
American University	American University, DC	1386	31
George Washington University	George Washington University, DC	1420	33
University of Florida	University of Florida, FL	1397	31
University of Miami	University of Miami, FL	1409	32
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology	Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, IN	1398	30

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Occidental College	Occidental College, CA	1434	33
Connecticut College	Connecticut College, CT	1427	32
Wesleyan University	Wesleyan University, CT	1426	33
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL	1440	32
Tulane University of Louisiana	Tulane University of Louisiana, LA	1443	32

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Scripps College	Scripps College, CA	1467	33
Georgetown University	Georgetown University, DC	1507	34
Emory University	Emory University, GA	1493	33
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, GA	1480	33
Grinnell College	Grinnell College, IA	1480	33

Degree Programs

Bachelor Degree Programs

• Apparel and Textiles
• Architectural Sciences and Technology
• Architecture
• Computer Software and Media Applications
• Design and Applied Arts
• Film/Video and Photographic Arts
• Fine and Studio Arts
• Interior Architecture
• Systems Science and Theory
• Woodworking

Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island School of Design Admissions

Full list of All degree programs offered by Rhode Island School of Design.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.

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