RWU Extends Fall 2020 Enrollment Deadline to June 1

BRISTOL, R.I. – With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting this critical time for students and families to complete a thoughtful college decision, Roger Williams University has extended the Fall 2020 enrollment reservation deadline from May 1 to June 1.

New restrictions on events and guidelines for social distancing are hindering the campus visit experience, which many students and families rely on when making a final college choice before the national deposit deadline. At a time when students and families are making this important decision, families are grappling with the emotional and mental toll of dealing with a pandemic, keeping loved ones and community members safe and healthy, and widespread financial uncertainty as jobs and wages may be impacted by the virus.

Roger Williams University is among the first colleges in the nation to extend the enrollment deadline, out of empathy and concern for our admitted students and their families who are dealing with this unprecedented situation. RWU had to make the difficult decision to cancel all Admitted Student Days (ASDs) and campus visits through April 6, in response to national and local containment measures related to COVID-19. This additional month to make an enrollment reservation should take some of the pressure off of what has turned out to be a protracted decision season with the unanticipated cancellations and limitations on admitted student events.

“Choosing a college is one of the most exciting and challenging decisions a family has to make, one that requires careful planning and clear thinking. With the uncertainty and disruptions caused by COVID-19, Roger Williams University is extending the enrollment deadline to June 1 to provide an additional month during which the country will hopefully move past the pandemic crisis and enable families to have the time and capacity to make this critical decision for their child’s future,” said Amy Tiberio, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management & Marketing at Roger Williams University.

May 1 has historically been the national deposit deadline, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Code of Ethics. However, it has always been up to the discretion of individual institutions to extend that deadline on a case-by-case basis. Rather than placing the burden on individual students to request an extension at this time, RWU believes it is more ethical to offer this extension globally.

While extending the enrollment deadline to June 1, RWU is also committed to adjust related enrollment deadlines so as not to penalize those who confirm their enrollment between May 1 and June 1. For example, housing forms, academic placement tests, and orientation registration processes and deadlines will be adjusted accordingly.

Since students and families are not able to visit campus, we are making available virtual opportunities to learn about the University and interact with our community members. We are posting recordings of our information sessions and campus tour, and we will be hosting virtual information sessions and Q&As with various campus offices and academic programs. These virtual opportunities will be shared online and via social media, as well as made available for future viewing at any time. We are also in the process of building and implementing an online platform for admitted students to interact with RWU students and community members across shared interests.

We are closely monitoring the situation daily and are prepared to make adjustments to our campus visit policies if necessary. The extension of the enrollment reservation to June 1 is a first step that will also be assessed as the situation evolves. Our aim is to best serve our admitted students and families as they navigate through unchartered territory during this crucial time of college decision-making.

For a virtual campus tour, visit https://www.rwu.edu/undergraduate/admission-aid/visit-rwu/join-us-virtual-tour/.