High School
Courses

All applicants must complete a minimum of 18 units of college preparatory work in the subjects below:

• 4 units in English
• 3 units in mathematics including Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry.
  We require standard, college preparatory Algebra 1 and 2, which cover the full content of this subject matter; courses such as “Algebra 2 with Financial Applications,” or “Algebra 2 with Personal Finance” do not satisfy our minimum math requirement.
• 2 units in a physical or natural science (including at least one laboratory science)
• 2 units in history or social science
• 2 units in the same foreign language. STAMPS test accepted.
  • First-year foreign language courses completed in the eighth grade will be counted toward the minimum two year requirement.
  • We will accept two years of American Sign Language coursework (documented on the high school transcript) as satisfaction of our foreign language requirement.
  • Students who have earned the “Seal of Biliteracy” in high school (noted on the transcript) may receive Gold and Silver Seal credits after completing an advanced course in their language sequence at URI. For more information, contact the department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures at languagedepartment@etal.uri.edu. 
  • Students who have 18 units of college preparatory course work who attend high schools that do not offer foreign language may still be considered for admission. Students admitted under these circumstances will be required to take foreign language coursework in their first year at URI.
• 5 additional college preparatory units to total 18. Students are encouraged to select their additional units from the areas of English, foreign language, mathematics, social science, or laboratory science.

Application
Materials

Your application will be reviewed when the Office of Admission has received all of these materials:

• A completed Common Application.
• Application fee of $65.
• An official high school transcript (preferably through the Common Application) is recommended, but not required.
• Completed STARS Record (formerly known as SRAR/SSAR) in the URI applicant portal. If you attend a school with proficiency-based grading or narrative transcripts, then please list your course titles and use pass or fail to indicate the grade you received. 
• List of senior courses (admission is contingent upon successful completion of your current coursework and high school graduation).
• Essay (nursing, pharmacy, and talent development applicants must include an additional paragraph explaining their choice of major).
• At least one letter of recommendation (please limit to two). If your school counselor writes your letter of recommendation (which is our preference), there is no need to submit a teacher evaluation/recommendation. Pharmacy applicants are required to provide two letters of recommendation.
• Admitted students are required to submit a final high school transcript showing proof of graduation by July 1.
  
  NOTE: When you complete the Common Application for URI, you will be asked to answer the following: “I would like my test scores (SAT or ACT) to be considered as part of my application to URI.” If you answer yes, we will wait to receive your test scores before reviewing your application for admission.

Application Review­­

The primary emphasis of our review process is on your high school record, rigor of courses, grades, and unique talents and experiences. As part of our holistic review, we also seek to enroll students who will treat all members of our community with respect. We are unable to offer individual interviews.

Advanced Credit/
Dual Enrollment

Applying with Advanced Credit

Students who have taken college coursework prior to high school graduation should apply as first-year applicants. This includes students pursuing an associate’s degree while finishing high school.

To be considered for credit, all transcripts must be sent to URI directly from the college through which the credit was earned or from the official examination board(s). The evaluation of credits awarded by examination (AP, IB, A-Levels, etc.) or through dual enrollment is subject to change and may be reviewed and revised periodically by faculty. Credit is determined by department faculty responsible for instruction in the subject area. A list of pre-approved credits can be accessed by visiting The University of Rhode Island Transferology database.

Major-Specific
Requirements

Applying to Competitive Majors

The following colleges/majors have additional requirements (or recommendations) as noted below.

Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Physics

We recommend applicants complete 4 units of mathematics (including precalculus or trigonometry).

Engineering

Applicants are encouraged to complete:

• 4 units of mathematics (including precalculus or calculus)
• 3 units of science with at least one laboratory science. Physics and Chemistry are strongly encouraged.
• Competitive applicants have a strong academic background in math and science courses.

Applicants who are not admitted directly to the College of Engineering may be admitted to a pre-engineering pathway.

Music

Applicants to all music majors (including music therapy) must audition. Click the Audition Schedule button below to view dates. Applicants to the music therapy program are strongly encouraged to apply by the Early Action deadline (December 1).

Please contact the Department of Music at 401.874.2431 or see web.uri.edu/music for requirements or questions. Please note: if you’re admitted to URI prior to auditioning, your acceptance to the music major is contingent upon a successful audition.

Nursing

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the Early Action deadline (December 1). Students should show demonstrated strength in math and science, including biology and chemistry. The required Nursing statement allows students the opportunity to share their interest in this demanding, competitive field

Applicants who are not admissible to the College of Nursing who may be admissible to other programs at URI may have an opportunity to request consideration for admission to another major on a space available basis.

Pharm.D.

URI offers a zero-to-six program in Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). Admission to the zero-to-six Pharm.D. program is competitive. Applicants are encouraged to complete 4 years of math (through pre-calculus or calculus), chemistry, and biology. Competitive applicants have a strong academic background with a B or better in their science and math courses.

Applicants who are not admitted directly to Pharm.D. may be eligible to pursue Pharm.D. through a B.S.P.S. pathway.

Additional
Testing Requirements

URI is a test-optional institution. However, if you choose to submit your test scores, please note the following:

• Official SAT or ACT scores MUST be sent electronically by the testing service: the URI ID code is 3919 for SAT and 3818 for ACT. We do not require the writing section of the ACT or the optional SAT essay.
• We “superscore” your SAT and ACT results, so, we will take the highest combination of scores from each section across all test dates. This eliminates the need to use the College Board’s option for “Score Choice” on the SAT.
• Students whose first language is not English are encouraged to submit official TOEFL examination results to supplement the SAT verbal score. A TOEFL score of iBT 79, Computer 213, Paper 550 or higher is required for all international applicants (please refer to International Requirements for further details.