Rhode Island School of Design Admissions

RISD is highly selective with a 17.42% acceptance rate, meaning it admits fewer than one in five applicants. You'll need strong test scores, with admitted students typically scoring between 1340-1525 on the SAT or around 31 on the ACT. But scores alone won't get you in. RISD cares most about your artistic portfolio and creative vision. They want students who are serious about art and design, not just academically gifted but visually minded. The school looks for applicants who can handle their famously intense foundation year, where you'll explore different mediums before choosing your major. They value students who think like artists and can push creative boundaries.