In an effort to facilitate the admission process for you, we provide these application instructions. We have addressed some basic questions and concerns that we believe are important to you at this stage in the process. However, we do realize that you are an individual and you have unique interests that may not be addressed in this document.
Therefore, you are encouraged to contact us to ask your questions; you may email us, call us, and/or arrange to visit the campus. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you through this very important transition.
At RWU, we define a transfer student as being anyone who has earned a high school diploma or GED and has subsequently enrolled in and/or completed one or more college-level course(s). Transfer students are welcome to apply for enrollment starting in the Fall (September) or Spring (January) semesters. Though there are no definitive application deadlines (with the exception of Architecture - which are February 1 for the Fall semester and December 1 for the Spring semester), students are encouraged to complete the application process well ahead of the intended semester of enrollment.
The Admission Committee reviews your complete, academic record in evaluating your candidacy for admission. If you have taken fewer than twenty-seven college credits, we will factor your high school record (including your SAT or ACT scores) into our decision. If you have taken twenty-four or more credits, we will place considerable emphasis on your college record. Students who have completed (or will have completed, prior to enrolling) an Associates degree are not required to submit high school transcripts or SAT/ACT scores.
We may request that you submit a Mid-Semester Grade Report to aid in making our admission decision. Since offers of admission are made with the expectation that all in-progress courses will be successfully completed, we will request that you forward all final transcripts prior to matriculation. This also ensures that you receive a credit evaluation for all courses completed. Please know that you are required to submit updated transcripts when new grades are posted to your record, even if an admission decision is not yet made. Updated transcripts are used to make admission decisions and to ensure appropriate credit is awarded for successfully completed work.
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- Submit the completed Common Application along with the $50 application fee.
- Request that official transcript(s) be mailed to Roger Williams University from all colleges and universities you have attended or are currently attending. If you are currently in your first semester, please submit a letter from your school official stating you are currently enrolled at the college/university you are attending. This will be required in place of your college/university transcript.
- Request that the High School transcript(s) and SAT/ACT scores be mailed to RWU.
- Request that your midsemester grades from your current semester are sent.
- If applicable, request that a copy of your GED (General Education Development Certificate) scores be sent to RWU.
- Provide a list of courses in progress that are not listed on the transcript.
- Include support materials: As part of the application, we ask that you submit an essay on any topic of your choice. We may also request that you provide a letter(s) of recommendation.
- Provide any additional information needed, as prescribed in Program-Specific Application Requirements.
- If you have taken the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), please submit your scores. Please see the section entitled International Students and Non-Native English speakers.
- Roger Williams University reserves the right to require students to provide consent for the release of disciplinary records from any and all institutions attended.
Credit evaluations are generally mailed with the Offer of Admission. In some cases, they may be mailed shortly after the Offer of Admission. Students are asked to provide the University with copies of course descriptions or a catalog from each college or university attended.
Evaluation of courses is based on several factors:
- The comparability of the courses taken as they relate in depth and content to those offered at RWU.
- Courses with grades lower than 'C' will not transfer.
- Courses must have been taken at an accredited institution.
The University does not factor transferred credits into your GPA at RWU. All courses are applied to your program of study in accordance with curricular requirements.
Special notes:
A maximum of sixty credits may be applied to a baccalaureate degree from a two-year college and a maximum of seventy-five credits may be applied from a four-year college. The overall number of courses needed for a degree may exceed 120 credits. Credit for courses successfully completed with a grade of 'P' will be transferred only if appropriate documentation is provided from the issuing institution certifying that the grade of 'P' had the equivalent grade of 'C' or higher. We reserve the right to require students to repeat transferred courses if it is deemed necessary for success in requisite courses.
Students who are offered admission are mailed an "Accepted Student Welcome Packet" that provides detailed information about the pre-enrollment process. Reading this guide carefully will help you understand the pre-enrollment process and timeline, as well as ensure that you complete all required forms and meet all deadlines. The following are among the forms that will be included in the packet:
- University Housing Placement forms
- Health forms
- Tuition and Housing Deposit Cards
- You may also receive, with your Offer of Admission, an invitation to an on-campus visitation event. We encourage you to visit the University.