Freshman FAQ
Where is URI? How do I get there?Located in the historic village of Kingston, the University of Rhode Island is close to the ocean and major beaches. Our 1,200-acre campus is a handsome mix of historic, granite buildings and contemporary architecture. Surrounding towns to URI are South Kingstown, Narragansett, and North Kingstown. Just 30 miles south of Providence, the Capitol of Rhode Island, URI is within easy reach of Newport (19 miles), Boston (75 miles), and New York City (160 miles). Click here for directions to campus. When are your campus tours? Do I need an appointment? Do offer Open House Programs? When are they?URI offers daily student-lead tours from the Memorial Union student center. Reservations are not required. See the Visiting URI section of our website for complete campus tour schedules, directions, and parking information. We host three Open House days each fall. Your visit will include remarks from the University President, a representative from the Undergraduate Admission Office and a student speaker. There is also an information fair, at which you can meet faculty from each of our degree-granting colleges. Click here for more information and to sign up. How many students go to URI, and how big are the classes?
While class sizes vary widely depending on the course, the average class size most for most URI undergraduates is 25-35 students. All professors are required to hold office hours, and print them on the syllabus for each class they teach. This allows you to personally interact with nationally known professors. More than 91% of our faculty have doctorates, and many are professionals in their field as well. Does URI offer study abroad opportunities? What if I want to study at another school in the United States while I'm at URI?URI has more than 200 affiliated study abroad programs in over 40 different countries. Through these programs students can develop the skills needed to compete in the global marketplace, while pursuing life-changing personal experiences and fulfilling required academic program components at URI. For more information on Study Abroad opportunities, go to the URI Office of International Education's Study Abroad page. URI Students also have the opportunity to study at another college or university in the United States or Canada, through the National Student Exchange program. Visit the Office of International Education's National Student Exchange page for more information and a list of participating schools. Where can I find information about housing and dining services?
Can students have cars on campus?Yes. The University of Rhode Island allows all students (including freshmen) have cars on campus. In the first few weeks of classes, students register their cars and park in assigned lots. For additional questions about parking, go to www.uri.edu/parking. What kind of scholarships and Financial Aid does URI offer?Merit-based aid is offered to freshman applicants each year in the form of Centennial Scholarships. Amounts range depending on your class rank/GPA and standardized test scores. There is no separate application for the Centennial Scholarship. If you wish to be considered, we must have a completed admission application in our office by December 17th, our Early Action (non-binding) deadline. Applications and information received after December 17th will not be considered. Need-based aid is available by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While there is no absolute deadline for Financial Aid, you should file by March 1st to ensure maximum availability of funds. URI Enrollment Services processes all need-based Financial Aid and has a lot of helpful information about Loans, Scholarships, and Awards. Visit them at www.uri.edu/es or call 401.874.9500. What is the tuition at URI? Does URI offer tuition break for students from nearby states?Up-to-date Tuition, Room and Board, and Fee information can be found on Enrollment Services' website. If you live in New England, URI participates in the New England Board of Higher Education Regional Student Program. Through a cooperative plan, students from other New England states may enroll in a small number of selected programs at URI not offered in their own states. Regional students are URI will be charged 60% of the in-state fee plus 40% of the out-of-state fee. If at any time a student transfers out of the New England Regional Student Program, out-of-state fees will apply. For more information about the NEBHE RSP program and a listing of applicable majors, Click Here. What banks are on campus?The on-campus bank is Rhode Island Credit Union (401.789.0253). How and when should I apply? When will I know whether or not I'm accepted?There are two ways to apply: URI evaluates applications on a rolling basis. Applicants who apply by our Early Action (non-binding) deadline are assured a decision by the end of January. Most standard-deadline admission decisions are made by the end of March. Check to ensure that you meet all the admission requirements. Can I use the common application?No, URI does not accept the common application. Do you consider senior year grades?Yes. It is very important to us that you continue to excel academically throughout your senior year in high school. In most cases, the admission committee will wait to make a final decision until we receive your first-quarter grades. Where should I send my AP scores? How will I know if I will get credit for them at URI? Does URI accept IB Credit?Send your AP score results to the University College Office in Roosevelt Hall for processing and credit evaluation. A complete listing of AP tests accepted for credit can be found online at: www.uri.edu/admission/advanceplace.html. College credit is also available for courses completed at another institution with a grade of C or better. URI will award credit for most higher level examinations taken in high school and passed with a score of 5,6,7. Course credit is awarded at the discretion of individual departments. No credit is awarded for standard-level examinations. Upon acceptance you will want to send your IB result to URI's University College in Roosevelt Hall. Is it possible to be admitted for the spring semester?Yes. The deadline for spring acceptance is November 1. Freshmen candidates for Spring admission must meet the same requirements as candidates for Fall. Can I go to URI if I have a GED?Yes, but most GED students need to go to another institution first in order to make up courses they did not complete in high school (GED scores DO NOT substitute for Carnegie Units. See the Transfer Requirements area of our website for details. |
