Application Information

student painting

Applications for summer 2026 open November 5, 2025. Stay up-to-date on important dates and deadlines by joining our mailing list.

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Timeline

Eligibility

Grade: You must be in high school, rising into 10th through 12th grade (or equivalent) during the summer of your attendance, or graduated in spring 2026.

Age: To attend RISD Pre-College Online, you must be between 14–18 years old, or if you are a rising sophomore you must turn 14 within three months after the course start date. For 2026, you must turn 14 by September 1, 2026. If you are 13 and meet this age eligibility timeline, call 401 454-6200 to have your registration completed by an enrollment specialist.

As long as you meet the grade and age requirements, Pre-College Online is open to all, regardless of your experience, training, or skill level in art. There are no admission tests, portfolio requirements, or prerequisites. The program must be completed in full. Waivers are not provided.

Completion of RISD Pre-College Online does not guarantee admittance to Rhode Island School of Design within the undergraduate admissions process.

Application requirements

Applications must include all of the requirements listed below. Each application is dated and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Incomplete applications cannot be processed for review. 

Requirements include:

  • a 1–5 sentence response to each of the following questions (we recommend drafting your responses to these questions before applying):
    • How do your college and/or career goals relate to attending RISD Pre-College Online?
    • RISD Pre-College Online is modeled after its college-level curriculum. There is about 20 hours of work per week with multiple deadlines each week and your work will be critiqued extensively. To succeed requires time management and resilience. Tell us what makes you prepared for this intensive program.
    • RISD is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and engaging online community. What do you hope to see in this type of environment? What do you think you could contribute and/or gain?
       

English proficiency

English language proficiency is necessary for success in this program. All content and facilitation are delivered in English, and verbal and written participation are required. Students who demonstrate a lack of English proficiency may be dismissed from the program without refund.