What goes on outside of the studio is just as important as what goes on inside. We encourage our students to attend supervised weekend and evening trips to explore Providence and beyond. You will also have freedom to explore the RISD neighborhood—and all that Providence has to offer—on your own.

Most students opt to live on campus in the residence halls. Residence Life provides safe and inclusive social activities throughout the five weeks. Live-in professional staff and student resident advisors (RAs) supervise the residence halls as well as mentor and support you along the way.

Students will have the opportunity to live in single-sex rooms within mixed-gender floors, gender inclusive floors and single-gender floors. Single, double and triple rooms are available. You will be able to indicate your preference in the housing application. If you’re interested in gender-inclusive housing options, email the Residence Life office, precollegehousing@risd.edu. Once accepted, you’ll receive instructions on how to complete the online housing application.

If you need specific housing accommodations due to medical needs, you’ll be asked to fill out a request as well as provide a letter from your physician at the same time you apply for housing.

Residential students are expected to remain on campus for the duration of the program with the exception of an approved “Weekend Away.” These must be arranged through the Student Life Housing Portal before the program starts. An approved “Weekend Away” does not give you approval to miss class.

If you have any other questions regarding Pre-College housing, contact RISD’s Residence Life office, precollegehousing@risd.edu.

Residence Life Pre-College Housing: Includes Pre-College housing timeline and a link to view video tours of the first-year area.

Roommates

One of the most valuable parts of the Pre-College experience is making new connections. To nurture new friendships, roommates are assigned based on the lifestyle preferences shared in your housing application. We do not give the option of requesting a specific roommate. Due to the short nature of the program, room change requests will not be available.

Cars on campus

Students living in the residence halls may not operate motor vehicles (including scooters and motorcycles) while in residence on campus.

If you choose to commute, you’ll need to balance home life and your studies. At the same time, you’ll want to develop new friendships and be an engaged member of the RISD community. We encourage you to attend all Pre-College events and weekend trips. You may visit residential students and work in the common work spaces in the residence halls (following visitor guidelines). Commuting students must leave the RISD campus before the Residence Life curfew time.

Parents/guardians and students are responsible for arranging transportation to and from RISD. On-street parking is available but can be limited around RISD’s campus. If no on-street parking is available, you may park in garages or municipal lots nearby. RISD parking permits are not available to students.

Any student living off campus must be housed with a responsible adult over the age of 18 for the duration of the program. Students found to be living without a responsible adult are required to make alternative arrangements to rectify the situation within 24 hours. Commuting students who are unable to make suitable living arrangements for the duration of the program may be dismissed. Parents/Guardians are solely responsible for their student and their actions while off campus. RISD will not provide supervision of these students off-campus.

Commuting students receive a 25-meal dining plan and are able to purchase additional meals on a cash basis. Contact Dining Services with your questions, 401 454-6642.

Lockers in some academic buildings are given priority to instructors and commuting students. Students are required to bring their own lock for use. The Pre-College Summer Office can provide students with the location and availability of lockers near their class.

Students who live off campus are subject to the Academic Policies and Pre-College Code of Conduct at all times, including when they are off campus (as is true for students who live on campus).

Using the freshest ingredients, RISD’s Dining and Catering professionals serve nutritious and delicious meal options. Our team serves dishes that reflect our community and highlight ingredients sourced from New England. At the Metcalf Dining Center (“The Met”) you can enjoy vegetarian and vegan specials, globally inspired entrées, special-diet meals, an artisan pizza oven, and homemade desserts and pastries.

The full dining contract is required for all residential students. The commuter cost includes a 25-meal dining plan.

If you have further questions about dining plans, contact Dining Services at 401 454-6642.

The following campus services are available to support your overall health and wellness whenever you need it.

The office of Disability Support Services (DSS) assists students who have cognitive (learning), psychological, physical and chronic medical disabilities. If you need accommodations to participate in any class, program or event, contact Disability Support Services before submitting your application. They can share what accommodations can and cannot be provided during the program. Students should reach out as early as possible to ensure accommodations are in place before your first day of class. Modifications cannot be made to the program structure, academic requirements or course curriculum.

The Pre-College accommodation request process differs from the K–12 accommodation process. In K–12 schools, parents/guardians are often the primary advocates for students, and teachers may approach students if they suspect a disability. However, in Pre-College, it is the student who is responsible for self-identifying and contacting Disability Support Services, providing documentation for eligibility and requesting accommodations for each class before the program starts.

Disability Support Services will meet with you to discuss the request. If approved, they will develop an accommodation letter based on your documentation. Once approved, you will receive a letter or email outlining the accommodations. You will need to communicate with each instructor about how the accommodations will work for each class. You will also be given the option to have letters sent to your instructors by Pre-College staff. Accommodations cannot be made retroactively.

Contact Disability Support Services by email or phone: disabilitysupportservices@risd.edu, 401 709-8465.

Known as Rhode Island’s “Creative Capital,” Providence has a thriving arts scene, great restaurants, historic architecture and plenty of green space. Its relaxed pace and walkable scale make it easy to get to know.

On weekend field trips you’ll have the chance to discover all Rhode Island has to offer including museums, art galleries and miles and miles of beautiful beaches.

RISD’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) works with the Providence Police and Brown University Police departments to maintain a safe campus environment and support the educational mission of the college. You can find them patrolling campus on foot, bike and in distinctively marked cruisers. Members of RISD’s Public Safety team–also trained as EMTs–work 24/7 to maintain a safe environment.

Discover ways to make the most of your Pre-College experience.

Kristina Byrne

The program’s associate director for student and operational success points out several resources that will guide and support students.

Noah Frase

Noah Frase’s growth as a Pre-College student prepared him for the rigors of college and his career as an illustrator.