Arts
RISD Pre-College
RISD Pre-College is a 5-week residential or commuter program run by Rhode Island School of Design. Open to: rising high school juniors and seniors, ages 16 to 18.
- Last cycle's deadline
- Rolling admission
- 2027 date not posted yet
- Cost
- Paid, aid available
- Who can apply
- Grades 10 to 11
- current grade when applying
- Length
- 5 weeks
- Residential or commuter
What students do
Students follow a college-level art and design curriculum with day-long studio classes, critiques and projects in a chosen major. They visit the RISD Museum and Nature Lab and show work in a final exhibition.
- Art
- Design
- Studio classes
- Portfolio development
Key facts
- Run by
- Rhode Island School of Design
- Where
- Providence, RI (residential or commuter)
- Who can apply
- Rising high school juniors and seniors, ages 16 to 18Students must have completed 10th or 11th grade and be 16 to 18; no prior art experience or portfolio is required.
- Dates
- June 26 to July 31, 2027 (check-in June 26, classes June 28 to July 30)
- Cost
- 2026: $12,495 residential (includes housing and dining) or $9,595 commuter (includes 25 meals); $60 application fee; art supplies of about $800 to $1,000 are extra
- Deadline
- Rolling admission; scholarship deadline January 30, 2026This was last cycle’s deadline. The 2027 date is not posted yet.Application opens November 4, 2026.
What the application asks for
- Essays or short answers
- Application fee
Four short-answer responses of 1 to 5 sentences each and a $60 non-refundable fee; no portfolio or test scores.
How a mentor helps with your RISD Pre-College application
- Decide whether RISD Pre-College fits, and which similar programs to apply to alongside it.
- Work backward from the deadline so essays, recommendations, and forms are not left to the last week.
- Draft and revise the essays or short answers with one-on-one feedback.
Email me the RISD Pre-College deadlines and requirements
A link to this page, plus our list of similar programs.
Similar programs
| Program | Where | Who can apply | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUTIBoston University College of Fine Arts | Lenox, MAResidential | Ages 14 to 20 (Young Artists Programs ages 14 to 19) | Paid, aid available | January 19, 2027 |
| CAED/Architecture Summer Career WorkshopCal Poly College of Architecture and Environmental Design | San Luis Obispo, CAResidential or commuter | High school students at least 16 years old | Paid, aid available | Not posted |
| CMU Pre-College ArchitectureCarnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PAResidential or commuter | Current high school sophomores and juniors | Paid, aid available | March 1, 2027 (February 1, 2027 for scholarship consideration) |
| CMU Pre-College ArtCarnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PAResidential or commuter | Current high school sophomores and juniors | Paid, aid available | March 1, 2027 (February 1, 2027 for scholarship consideration) |
| CMU Pre-College DesignCarnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PAResidential or commuter | Current high school sophomores and juniors | Paid, aid available | March 1, 2027 (February 1, 2027 for scholarship consideration) |
| CMU Pre-College DramaCarnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PAResidential or commuter | Current high school sophomores and juniors | Paid, aid available | March 1, 2027 (February 1, 2027 for scholarship consideration) |
Frequently asked questions
When is the RISD Pre-College application deadline?
The 2027 deadline has not been posted. Last cycle's deadline was Rolling admission; scholarship deadline January 30, 2026, and most programs keep a similar date from year to year.
How much does RISD Pre-College cost?
2026: $12,495 residential (includes housing and dining) or $9,595 commuter (includes 25 meals); $60 application fee; art supplies of about $800 to $1,000 are extra. Financial aid is available.
Who can apply to RISD Pre-College?
Rising high school juniors and seniors, ages 16 to 18. Students must have completed 10th or 11th grade and be 16 to 18; no prior art experience or portfolio is required.
What does the RISD Pre-College application require?
Essays or short answers, Application fee. Four short-answer responses of 1 to 5 sentences each and a $60 non-refundable fee; no portfolio or test scores.
Read from the program’s own site and last checked 2026-10-09. Programs change dates, fees, and requirements each year, so confirm on the official site before you apply. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with this program.
