Undergraduate Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the first-year student application deadlines?

Fall Semester Start 
Early Action: November 15 
Regular Decision: February 1

Spring Semester Start  
Regular Decision: November 1

Note: We are still accepting applications for the Fall 2025 start term on a space available basis.

Q: What is the enrollment deposit deadline for first-year applicants?

The enrollment deposit deadline for accepted first-year students is May 1 (Fall semester start).  $550 resident/on-campus student; $200 commuter student.  Deposits made after May 1 will be processed on a space available basis.

Q: Does Roger Williams University accept the Common Application?

Yes, RWU is a member of the Common Application.  Learn more at about the first-year application requirements.   

Q: When is the Common Application available?

Students can set up a Common Application account at any time.  Traditionally, the Common Application opens to applicants by August 1 each year for rising high school seniors.  Learn more about the RWU Common Application. 

Q: Does Roger Williams University offer direct admission? 

Yes, RWU offers direct admission for first-year domestic applicants through Niche.com (an online platform that connects students and families with college). Niche Direct Admission is legitimate and appeals to students with Niche profiles who prefer a direct admission process versus applying though the Common Application.  If you are contacted by Niche.com and offered RWU conditional admission, it is real, and we encourage you to open communications and follow the steps provided.  Learn more about Niche Direct Admission.

Q: How does direct admission differ from the Common Application?

Direct admission is a simplified process for domestic applicants.  First, students who have Niche.com accounts are matched with RWU based on their self-reported profiles. Second, RWU offers conditional admission with a merit scholarship that requires applicants to submit an onboarding form.  Third, RWU Admission staff evaluate the onboarding form to confirm admissibility and merit scholarship eligibility.  Lastly, the applicant’s admission is finalized. Direct admission applicants are not required to pay the application fee, provide recommendation letters, or submit an essay (however these items are welcomed if an applicant wishes to provide them).  The Common Application follows traditional admission processes (e.g., application fee, recommendation letters, and essay).

Q: Are direct admission scholarships real?

Yes! Merit scholarships awarded to direct admission applicants are real and renewable for up to four years.  

Q: What are the first-year student application requirements?

RWU performs a holistic review for every individual application. Learn more about first-year application requirements. 

Q: What is the application fee for first-year applicants?

The application fee for first-year applicants is $55.  The application fee is waived for Direct Admission domestic applicants and students who visit campus prior to submitting their application.  Learn more about visit opportunities.

Q: Do you have any application fee waivers for first-year applicants?

Yes, application fees are waived for domestic students who apply through direct admission or for students who visit campus before submitting their Common Application.

Q: Are SAT or ACT required for admission?

No, the Admissions Office is test optional. Learn more about our test optional admission policy.

Q: Are portfolios required for first-year student admission?

Portfolios are required for students applying to the architecture program.  Portfolios are not required for applicants for dance or visual arts programs.  Learn more about the architecture portfolio requirement.

Q: Are scholarships available for first-year students?

Yes, all accepted first-year students qualify for a merit scholarship ranging between $17,000 - $23,000 for the Fall 2025 start term at a minimum with consideration for further need-based aid with submission of a FAFSA.  Scholarship eligibility is the same for applicants who apply through direct admission or the Common Application.  Learn more about RWU new student scholarships.  

Talent Scholarships are also available for Dance majors.  Learn more about RWU talent scholarships on the Dance/Performance webpage (requirements listed under Auditions).

Q: What is the financial aid deadline for first-year students?

First-year students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for need-based financial aid.  The priority deadline for FAFSA submission is February 1 prior to the entry year.  Learn more about applying for financial aid at RWU. 

Q: What are the orientation dates for first-year students?

RWU offers a two-day orientation for new first-year students.  Students only need to attend one orientation.  For first-year students starting the Fall 2025 semester, the two-day orientation dates are scheduled for June 9-10, 12-13, 16-17, and 18-19.  Learn more about first-year student orientation.

Q: When do first-year students register for courses.

Accepted first-year students must submit an enrollment deposit ($550 resident/on-campus; $200 commuter) to be eligible to register for classes.  Advising appointments begin in April for the Fall semester start.

Q: When do first-year students receive their housing assignment?

Accepted students who pay the housing enrollment deposit and submit their Housing Application & Contract will receive a housing assignment by early August.  

Q: What is the move-in date for first-year students?

For students living in RWU residence halls, the Fall 2025 semester move-in date for first-year students is Saturday, August 23, 2025.

Q: Do first-year students receive transfer credit for Advanced Placement?

Yes, first-year students receive transfer credits for Advanced Placement.  Learn more about the RWU advanced placement credit policy. 

Q: Can first-year students bring a car to campus?

No, first-year students are not allowed to bring a car to campus.  Upper-class (second, third, and fourth year) students are eligible.  Learn more about parking policies. 

Q: Are first-year students required to live on campus?

First-year students are required to live on campus for the first two years of enrollment unless they meet the commuter eligibility requirements (i.e., commute within 45 miles from the home of their parent/guardian).  Juniors and seniors are eligible to live off-campus in non-university housing.  Around 95% of first-year students live on campus. Learn more about living at RWU.

Q: Do you offer campus housing for all four-years?

While we do not "guarantee" housing beyond the first two years of enrollment, as long as students follow University policies and application requirements, on campus housing is offered throughout the entirety of the undergraduate experience.  Multiple living options are available.  Around 75% of undergraduate students live in campus housing.  Learn more about living at RWU. 

Q: Who is my admission counselor?

Every first-year applicant is assigned an admission counselor based on the location of their secondary (high) school.  Find your admission counselor.

Q: What are the transfer student application deadlines?

Fall Semester Start:  Preferred Deadline is April 1; Rolling Decision after April 1

Spring Semester Start:  Preferred Deadline is November 1; Rolling Decision after November 1

NOTE: For Fall 2025, the preferred deadline has been extended to April 15.

Q: Can transfer students apply using the Common Application?

Transfer students can apply using the Transfer Common Application or the RWU Rapid Application. Learn more about transfer application requirements.  

Q: Can transfer students apply using direct admission?

No. Only first-year students are eligible to participate in direct admission. That said, transfer students may complete the simplified RWU Rapid Application versus the Common Application.  Learn more about transfer application requirements. 

Q: What is the application fee for transfer applicants?

The RWU Rapid Application does not require an application fee.  The application fee for transfer applicants submitting the Transfer Common Application is $55.  The application fee is waived for students who visit campus prior to submitting their application.  Learn more about visit opportunities.

Q: What are the transfer student application requirements?

RWU welcomes transfer students. Learn more about transfer student application requirements.  

Q: How many of my transfer credits will I receive?

Transfer students may receive up to 75 credits.  Transfer course approval requires a “C” grade or higher taken at an accredited institution. Learn more about the RWU transfer credit policy. 

Q: When is the transfer credit evaluation done?

The transfer credit evaluation is initiated as soon as the Admissions Office receives a transfer application and college transcripts from prior institutions. From the admissions office, evaluations are handled individually through the academic advising and registrar’s office. As soon as your transfer credit evaluation is complete, you will receive an email containing the evaluation as well as a link to register a time to chat about how things will come through and what a degree completion timeline would look like for you. We encourage you to have this meeting before making your decision of where to attend.

Q: How will my credits transfer?

Credits are evaluated individually. The transfer credit evaluation is initiated as soon as the Admissions Office receives a transfer application and college transcripts from prior institutions. From the admissions office, evaluations are handled individually through the academic advising and registrar’s office. Some courses may require sign off from faculty, so completion times may vary.

Q: When do transfer students register for classes?

During open registration for the next academic term, transfer students are eligible to register for classes after they have submitted the enrollment deposit ($550 resident/on-campus student or $200 commuter student) and received their completed transfer credit evaluation from the Advising Office.

Q: What is a Deans Release Form for transfer applicants?

Transfer applicants are required to submit a Deans Release Form to demonstrate their judicial standing at their current or most recently attended institution.  The Admissions Office will provide a link to this two-part form at the point of application. You, the student, will fill out part one. Once complete, we will send part 2 to the college official you listed on your form. We encourage students to also follow up with that respective contact to ensure it is done as timely as possible.

Q: Do you offer merit scholarships to transfer students?

Yes, RWU offers merit scholarships to all accepted transfer students, and merit scholarships are renewed annually for the student’s remaining years of undergraduate study at RWU. Transfer merit scholarships can range up to $25,000 per year. Students transferring with an associate degree are guaranteed to receive at least $20,000 in scholarships (scale is based on GPA). 

Q: When is transfer student orientation?

For the Fall 2025 start term, transfer orientation is scheduled on June 23. Transfer orientation is required for all incoming transfer students, resident and commuter students. Learn more about transfer student orientation. 

Q: Is orientation required for transfer commuter students?

Yes, orientation is required for all students. Learn more about transfer student orientation. 

Q: Can transfer students bring their car to campus?

It depends on the number of transfer credits you bring to RWU. Students with first-year credit load status are not eligible to bring their car to campus.  Students with sophomore status are eligible to bring a car to campus. Learn more about parking policies.

Q: Are transfer students required to live on campus?

It depends on the number of transfer credits transfer students bring to RWU. Students with first-year and sophomore credit load status are not eligible to live in off-campus housing unless they commute from the home of their parents from within the commutable distance.  Students with junior status are eligible to live in off-campus housing.  Learn more about living at RWU. 

Q: Is housing guaranteed for transfer students?

While we do not "guarantee" housing beyond the first two years of enrollment, as long as transfer students follow University policies and application requirements, on campus housing is offered throughout a transfer students undergraduate experience. Multiple living options are available.  Around 75% of undergraduate students live in campus housing.  Learn more about living at RWU.

Q: Who is the transfer student admission counselor?

Samantha (Sammy) Cole-Reardon, Assistant Director of Admissions, coordinates transfer admission, Learn more about Sammy on the Admission staff profile webpage.

Q: What are the international student application deadlines?

Roger Williams University's admissions process for international students is based on rolling admissions. All international applicants are advised to apply as early as possible to ensure enough time to secure the F1 student visa before the start of the semester for which they are applying.

Q: What are the international student application requirements?

RWU welcomes applications from international students. Learn more about the international student application requirements.  

Q: What is the application fee for international student applicants?

The application fee for international student applicants is $55.  Fee-waivers are not available.

Q: What is the international student applicant English language requirement?

TOEFL 79; IELTS 6.5; Duolingo 105.  

Q: What is the international student merit scholarship?

Accepted international applicants are guaranteed a merit scholarship valued at 50 percent of the annual cost of attendance (tuition, housing and meals). This scholarship is annual and renewable. No separate application is necessary.  

Q: What are the international student visa requirements?

Here are the international student visa requirements: Enrollment deposit, copy of passport, copy of a bank letter from sponsor, completed I-20 Request and Financial Declaration forms.  Learn more about international student visa requirements.  

Q: When is the international student orientation?

For Fall 2025, the international student orientation is August 21 and 22. Learn more about international student orientation.

Q: Who is the international student admission counselor?

Dmitry Satsuk, Director of International Enrollment, is the point of contact for prospective international students and applicants. Learn more about Dmitry on the Admission staff profile webpage.

Q: When can I visit?

The Admission Office offers various on-campus and remote visit options throughout the week and weekend. Learn more about RWU visit opportunities. 

Q: When is your next open house?

Our next open house is on April 13, 2025.  Learn more about the spring open house. 

Q: What happens after I submit my application?

The RWU Admission Office will provide access to the RWU applicant portal. The portal will provide information about missing items, and will relay admission and scholarship decisions.  

Q: What happens after I am accepted?

Acceptance decisions are shared through the RWU applicant portal.  Accepted students will receive special communication through the portal and through direct links to admitted student events.  Accepted students will pay their enrollment deposit in the RWU applicant portal. 

Q: What happens after I pay my enrollment deposit?

Deposited students will receive an email that will contain a link to register for orientation as well as a checklist that outlines the next steps required to prepare for RWU arrival.  At this point, deposited students must sign into  RogerCentral (the current student portal) and Google RWU email accounts and consistently monitor and respond to official RWU communication. RogerCentral replaces the Admitted Student portal as the means of communication and doing business with RWU.

Q: When will I receive my bill?

The Bursar’s Office starts issuing bills for the fall semester in May, and for the spring semester in November. Learn more about billing and payment.

Q: What is the bill due date?

Fall semester bills are due on July 1.  Spring semester bills are due on January 2.  Students who deposit after the posted payment due dates are expected to pay their bill after receiving their bill.  Learn more about billing and payment.

Q: Are payment plans available?

Yes, no-interest monthly payment plans are available for a nominal enrollment fee.  Learn more about payment plans.

Q: When do classes start for the Fall 2025 semester?

The first day of classes for the Fall 2025 semester is Wednesday, August 27, 2025.  Learn more by viewing the 2025-2026 academic calendar.  

Q: How do I contact the Bursar?

The Bursar’s Office is conveniently located on the first floor in the Administration Building. This facility also houses the Financial Aid Office and the Registrar's Office.  Learn more about the Bursar.

Bursar’s Office 
Administration Building 
1 Old Ferry Road  
Bristol, RI 02809-2921 
Phone: (401) 254-3520 
Fax: (401) 254-3674 
E-mail: bursar@rwu.edu  

Q: How do I contact Financial Aid?

The Financial Aid Office is conveniently located on the first floor in the Administration Building. This facility also houses the Bursar's Office and the Registrar's Office. Learn more about the Financial Aid Office.

Financial Aid Office 
Administration Building 
1 Old Ferry Road 
Bristol, RI 02809-2921 
Phone: (401) 254-3100 or 800-458-7144 
Fax: (401) 254-3356 
E-mail: finaid@rwu.edu  

Q: How do I contact the Registrar?

The Office of the Registrar is conveniently located on the first floor in the Administration Building. This facility also houses the Bursar's Office and the Financial Aid Office. Learn more about the Registrar.

Office of the Registrar 
Administration Building 
1 Old Ferry Road 
Bristol, RI 02809-2921 
Phone: (401) 254-3510 
Fax: (401) 254-3363 
E-mail: registrar@rwu.edu