🎨 Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) | 2025-2026 Complete Admission Guide

Known as the “Harvard of Art & Design,” RISD is a world-leading institution with a 140+ year legacy of excellence.

At White Horse Art & Design Center (WHADC), we provide the insider knowledge and technical training to help you secure an offer from this prestigious institution. Here is the latest essential data for the 2025-2026 academic cycle.

🏛️ Geographical & Academic Edge: The “Brown-RISD” Connection

RISD is located in Providence, Rhode Island, just 45 minutes from Boston and 3 hours from NYC. It is famous for its “best friend” relationship with Brown University (an Ivy League school).

Shared Resources: Students can cross-register for classes at Brown, gaining access to a world-class liberal arts education alongside their studio practice.
Dual Degree Program: Highly competitive! Only ~15 students globally are admitted annually to the Brown|RISD Dual Degree, allowing you to earn both a BFA from RISD and a BA/BS from Brown in five years.
The RISD Museum: One of the largest art museums in the US, housing 80,000+ works that serve as a primary research lab for students.

🛠️ Specialized Majors & Academic Rigor

Core Programs

Undergraduate (BFA – 4 Years): Apparel Design, Ceramics, Film/Animation/Video (FAV), Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, and Textiles.
Architecture (BArch – 5 Years): A professional degree program.
Graduate (MFA/MA – 1-3 Years): Advanced studies in specialized design fields.

The “Experimental and Foundation Studies” (EFS)

All first-year undergraduates must undergo Foundation Year. You will focus on:

Drawing & Design: Training the eye and hand through direct observation.
Manual Practice: High-intensity “maker” culture.

Note from Baima: Expect a massive workload. Most of your time will be spent on “hand-making” and iterative drafting rather than just digital tools.

📝 2025-2026 Application Requirements

English Proficiency & Standardized Tests

TOEFL: Minimum 93 (Undergraduate), Recommended 100+ (Graduate).
IELTS: Minimum 6.5 (7.0 recommended).
Duolingo: Minimum 120.
SAT/ACT: Optional (Test-Optional policy remains in effect).

The Portfolio & RISD Assignment (The “New” Prompts)

Submissions are made via SlideRoom.

Portfolio: 12–20 recent works. Must show curiosity and experimentation. RISD values sketches and process work (up to 3 slides of research work are recommended).
The Assignment: The “Bicycle” prompt is officially retired. The current independent proposition asks for visual responses to specific words/themes designed to test your critical thinking.

💰 2025-2026 Tuition & Costs (Annual)

Category	Undergraduate (BFA)	Graduate (MFA)
Tuition	$63,966	$63,966
Activity/Tech Fees	$1,170	$1,170
Est. Books & Supplies	$3,400	$4,900
Est. Total Cost (incl. Housing/Food)	$90,436	$96,136

📅 Important Deadlines

Early Decision (Undergrad): November 1, 2025
Regular Decision (Undergrad): January 16, 2026
Graduate Applications: January 6, 2026
Transfer Students (Fall): March 17, 2026

🐎 About WHADC (White Horse Art & Design Center)

Vancouver’s Premier Art Portfolio Experts | Established 2013

We specialize in helping students navigate the complex requirements of Global Top 10 art schools. Our founders carry elite backgrounds from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Germany, and Canada.

Proven Results: In 2025, we continued our streak of winning major offers from RISD, Parsons, and UAL Saint Martins.
Tailored Strategy: We don’t just teach “how to draw”—we teach “how to think,” ensuring your portfolio aligns with the specific aesthetic preferences of your dream school.
Global Reach: Specializing in Top 10 architecture, fashion, animation, and industrial design programs in the US, UK, and Canada.

Unlock your creative potential with a 99% admission rate.

Official Website: www.whadc.ca
Consultation: 778-708-2042
WeChat: whadc225