Rhode Island School of Design: 2024 Requirements, Scores & GPAs

This is the go-to guide for getting into Rhode Island School of Design. We suggest you read until the end... Not only will we layout the exact GPA and test scores you should aim for when applying to Rhode Island School of Design, but we’ll also offer creative ways to help your application stand out from the pack. We breakdown Rhode Island School of Design statistics better than any article out there and show you how these have changed over time. Also, make sure to check out Rhode Island School of Design on CampusReel to see what it’s really like here. If you're interesting in transferring to Rhode Island School of Design, the read our transfer guide. You can also use the below calculator to help determine your likelihood of acceptance at Rhode Island School of Design

What GPA do you need to get into Rhode Island School of Design?

Rhode Island School of Design’s average GPA is 3.6. Rhode Island School of Design does require GPA. This average GPA means Rhode Island School of Design is very selective. Often times, schools in this range are trying to increase their selectivity and “prestige”. We can’t read the minds of Rhode Island School of Design application readers, but they likely want to increase the average GPA from 3.6 to 3.78 this year - to play it safe, we recommend striving for the 3.78 GPA.

*BEFORE CONTINUING PLEASE NOTE: GPA and “prestige” DO NOT mean a college is right for you. Rhode Island School of Design may seem amazing on paper, but you may hate it... That’s why 700,000 students transfer colleges every year - they end up going to the wrong school. It’s crucial to watch the videos on CampusReel and make sure you can envision yourself on Rhode Island School of Design’s campus. These Rhode Island School of Design admission statistics do not sufficiently tell you what a college or university is like.

What is Rhode Island School of Design’s acceptance rate?

Last year Rhode Island School of Design’s acceptance rate was 37.2. However, check out how the acceptance rate has changed over time.

As you can see, Rhode Island School of Design is a little easier to get into than last year.

Acceptance rate alone does not indicate your likelihood for getting into Rhode Island School of Design - it’s a very high level understanding of the true competition. Use the acceptance rate as a general guide for curating a list of 10-15 schools that fall into different ranges of competitiveness. Then, use the below data to get a deeper understanding of how your application will compare to the rest of the pool.

Does Rhode Island School of Design Require Test Scores?

Rhode Island School of Design requires that you either take the SAT or ACT. See the table below for how Rhode Island School of Design’s accepted students have performed on both tests. You may be wondering how many test scores should you submit. Generally, don’t freak out about taking the test too often. Industry consensus is that you can submit up to 6 tests as a reasonable limit.

Rhode Island School of Design SAT Requirements

Rhode Island School of Design’s average SAT score is 1210 - this is the sum of the math and reading portions of the SAT (the 1600 scale). Check out the below table for a deeper look into how students performed - it’s also very interesting to look at the average test score over time. The trend over time helps give insight into whether Rhode Island School of Design is getting more or less competitive.

Rhode Island School of Design’s average SAT score is 1210. To be a competitive applicant for Rhode Island School of Design your SAT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 1080, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider Rhode Island School of Design a “target” school (one that you are likely to get into) you should aim for a score of 1340.

Rhode Island School of Design ACT Requirements

Rhode Island School of Design’s average ACT score is 85. To be a competitive applicant for Rhode Island School of Design your ACT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 74, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider Rhode Island School of Design a “target” school (one that you have a good chance of getting into) you should aim for a score of 96.

How hard is it to get into Rhode Island School of Design?

As you can see from the data above, Rhode Island School of Design is difficult to get into. Not only should you be aiming for a 3.6 but also SAT scores around 1210.

Rhode Island School of Design Requirements

Now you know where you need to be for getting into Rhode Island School of Design from a grade and test score perspective. Let’s quickly outline what else you’ll need to provide for your application to get reviewed, and then we’ll move onto the most important section: differentiating your app.

How to get into Rhode Island School of Design

Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting into Rhode Island School of Design. Everything you read above will help prepare you for what you need to achieve to have a shot at Rhode Island School of Design, but these steps will take you even further in applying that knowledge and differentiating your application.

Main Academic Excellence that is in line with Rhode Island School of Design admission standards.

1. Score at least a 1210 on the SAT or 85 on the ACT.
2. Maintain a GPA of at least a 3.6.

Join Extracurriculars that Align with Rhode Island School of Design’s Values.

1. Join your school band, a sports team or another group activity. If Rhode Island School of Design values music heavily, for example, then try to participate in an organization related to that topic.
2. Volunteer in your hometown. Providence has tons of ways to be involved beyond just the college. Rhode Island School of Design wants applicants that are also good ambassadors for the school - they want students who will give back to the local community and broader Providence area in general.
3. Spend your summer doing something that speaks to your values, personal growth, leadership qualities and other less quantifiable characteristics. Rhode Island School of Design needs to see past your test scores and grades - they need to know that you will be a valuable and contributing member of their community. You are more than grades and test scores - your experiences should demonstrate that.

Prepare Your Application

1. Write a stellar essay that shows Rhode Island School of Design something they can’t figure out from the other parts of your application. For a detailed guide on writing the best college essay, check this out.
2. Get teacher recs that speak to your character. If you know what you’re majoring in and include that in your Rhode Island School of Design app, try to have at least 1 recommendation from a teacher in that department.
3. Apply Before the Deadline. Too many students wait until the last minute to submit their application, and too much can go wrong during this precious time window. Since many students are applying on the last day, it’s possible that Rhode Island School of Design’s own system crashes. Don’t risk the added stress this can cause - submit your app a few days early.